Graduation Procedures

Below you will find general information regarding expected graduation dates, applying for graduation, diplomas, and honors.

For more specific information regarding the current academic year's graduation procedures like start times and location, click here.

Expected Graduation Date

It is important that your expected graduation date stay current, especially if you have financial aid or any type of loan. The expected graduation date is also used for processing Applications for Candidacy to Graduate. If your expected graduation date changes at any time you should contact the Law School Registrar's Office so that it can be changed in Access.SMU.

Applying for Graduation

Candidates for graduation must file an Application for Candidacy to Graduate before a diploma will be issued and before they can participate in the graduation ceremony. The Law School Registrar will send an e-mail during the semester preceding graduation to all candidates regarding the deadlines for applying. Upon receipt of the e-mail candidates will sign up for meeting times to discuss their remaining requirements and to complete an ACG.

Diplomas

Graduates must complete all obligations before receipt of their diploma.  This includes filling out an Application for Candidacy to Graduate, paying library fines and parking tickets, paying the graduation fee (that will automatically be applied to your account) and completing community service hours and exit interviews.  Diplomas will be mailed to the home address that is listed in Access.SMU.  If you prefer to have your diploma mailed to an alternate address, please update this information in Access.SMU under your personal information.  Graduates who misplace their diploma, have a name change, have a damaged diploma, or would like an additional diploma should fill out a replacement diploma request form.

Honors

The Order of the Coif is a national law-school scholastic honor society. Not more than 10 percent of all graduates during the academic year may be elected to membership by vote of the faculty.

Candidates for the JD Degree having superior grades may by vote of the faculty be awarded the degree cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude. The minimum grade averages for honors are:

Cum Laude - 3.2
Magna Cum Laude - 3.6
Summa Cum Laude - 3.8

Family Hooders

A longstanding tradition of SMU Dedman School of Law has been for a family member to participate in their graduate's ceremony as a "Family Hooder." Family Hooders must be graduates/alumni of SMU Dedman School of Law and be related to the graduate. Click here to fill out the family hooder form and for more details.