Graduation Resources

School of Professional & Graduate Studies | Graduate School of Education

When Will I Graduate?

Your degree will be posted to your official academic record, your transcript, after the following has been completed:

• You have filed the intent to graduate form
• You have completed all degree requirements
• The University has validated your degree completion

The "Degree Awarded" date posted to your transcript coincides with one of the following:

• The last day of your final Baker course OR
• The date of validation to the registrar of completion of final bachelor's-level degree requirement(s) through Baker's Prior Learning Assessment Center OR
• December 31/May 31 for final bachelor's-level degree requirement(s) approved and completed through another college

Degrees are conferred by the board of trustees and the president of the University and upon recommendation of the faculty. This is done twice a year and coincides with the December and May commencement ceremonies. The conferral date on your diploma is the commencement ceremony date.

Filing to Graduate: Intent to Graduate Form

All potential degree candidates MUST file an intent to graduate form with the University. This is a graduation requirement.

You are strongly encouraged to file your intent to graduate form six months before your anticipated degree completion. NOTE: Late filing may negatively affect the awarding and conferral of your degree.

The following deadlines for submitting the intent to graduate form apply:

• May degree conferral and commencement participation: March 1
• December degree conferral and commencement participation: October 1

Undergraduate Scholastic Honors

The determination of scholastic honors for graduates earning associate and bachelor's degrees is determined upon completion of all degree requirements and posted to the transcript in association with the degree statement. For the purpose of recognizing scholastic honors in the commencement ceremony program, this determination is made at least six weeks before commencement. Scholastic honor cords are not part of the commencement regalia.

Graduation Fee

All students are assessed a nonrefundable graduation fee. In some degree programs this fee is incorporated into the tuition costs. Other degree programs assess this fee at the time the intent to graduate form is filed. This is a fee associated with the many and varied resources necessary for tracking, awarding and conferring degrees. No additional fee is charged for standard regalia to students who choose to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Commencement Ceremony Participation

Participation in a commencement ceremony is not required but encouraged. To participate, you must complete all degree requirements by December 31 for participation in the winter ceremony and by May 31 for participation in the spring ceremony.

Students who have completed their bachelor's program core courses must have a plan on file with the registrar's office validating how they will meet their final outstanding requirements by the December 31 or May 31 deadlines. This plan is submitted with the intent to graduate form.

Ordering Your Cap & Gown (Regalia)

Graduates and degree candidates who plan to participate in the commencement ceremony must place their cap and gown order online from Herff Jones.

The following deadlines apply:

• May commencement: March 15
• December commencement: October 15
• After these deadlines, please contact the Baker bookstore at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 913.344.1234 or 785.594.8315 for cap and gown availability.

Upon placing your online order you will receive an online confirmation. Please retain this confirmation for your records. If you do not receive confirmation of your order, please contact the vendor directly.

Cap & Gown Pickup

When you order your regalia, you may chose to pick it up from one of these locations: Overland Park bookstore, Wichita campus, Kansas City Northland campus or Topeka campus. Regalia is expected to be available for pickup around December 1 for the winter ceremony and May 1 for the spring ceremony. Please watch your Baker email before these dates for more details. Home shipment is available and incurs a shipping charge.  

Graduation Announcements & Class Rings

Herff Jones carries a variety of graduation-related items for Baker graduates, including class rings and announcements. View and order merchandise online at www.herffjones.com/order or call Herff Jones Customer Service at 1.800.837.4235.

If you have questions related to graduation resources, please contact the records office  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it