Diplomas

Each diploma is an original document, 8.5″ x 11″ in size. It is signed by the administration of Washington University and contains an embossed seal. It lists the student’s name, the official title of the degree, and the date of conferral. Only official degree titles will appear on diplomas. Your dean’s office should be able to provide you with information on your correct degree title.

Diplomas for the six original degrees conferred by Washington University (Artium Baccalaurei, Artium Magistri, Philosophiae Doctoris, Legum Magistri, Juris Scientiae Doctoris and Medicinae Doctoris) are written in Latin. Diplomas for the Juris Doctor were previously written in Latin until 2021 but are now written in English. All other Washington University degrees and diplomas are written in English. English translations of Latin diplomas are available online and upon request; Latin diplomas cannot be reissued in English.

While the university considers the diploma to be a ceremonial document, and allows the student to request that a familiar or preferred name be used on their diploma and in the Commencement Program in lieu of their legal name or name of record when filing their Intent to Graduate, students are also advised that in some situations the diploma may need to be used as a legal document and the name appearing on the diploma may need to match other legal documents in the student’s possession.

You can check this information any time at WebSTAC. If your legal name is incorrect, you must request a name change in the Office of the University Registrar.

Washington University issues one original diploma. The Office of the University Registrar does not keep copies of diplomas in the office. If your original diploma is lost, you may order a replacement.The body of the replacement diploma will be the same as the original except that the four signatures will be of the current officers and Replacement Diploma will be stamped on the lower left corner.

Electronic and paper diplomas are available for replacement orders. Download the Replacement Request Form (PDF) and mail it, along with payment, to the Office of the University Registrar.  A handwritten signature must be on the form.

Our office cannot accept electronic payment. Checks may be mailed to our office or dropped off during normal business hours. We are located in the Women’s Building, lower level, Suite 010. International alumni who are no longer state-side may choose to e-deposit funds to a friend or family member who resides in the U.S., so they can issue a check payment on your behalf.

If you ordered an Electronic Credential:

• Orders finalize within two weeks.
• Alumni will receive an email from info@cecredentialtrust.com with an authorization link to access the e-diploma.
• Once the e-diploma is authorized, you will maintain access to it permanently. View this video to learn more about the CeDiD.

If you ordered a Paper Credential:

• Orders finalize within two weeks.
• Domestic orders ship via USPS and take an additional 1-2 weeks to arrive. Alumni will receive an email from info@cecredentialtrust.com with USPS tracking information.
• International orders ship via USPS and take up to an additional 8 weeks to arrive. Alumni will receive an email from info@cecredentialtrust.com with USPS tracking information.
• We cannot make address changes at this time. If you need the diploma re-routed, review the Standard Forward Mail & Change of Address website through the United States Postal Service.

No. Diplomas are not available for in-person pick up. They are shipped to the Diploma Mailing Address in WebSTAC.

• Use the Chrome browser (ideally from a Windows device) to Login to WebSTAC with your WUSTL Key and Password.
• Go to Student Information on the Main Tool Bar.
• Select Contact Information from the drop-down menu.
• Review the Address box. If a Diplom
  • Click Add New Address.
  • From the Address Type drop-down menu, select Diploma Mailing Address.
  • Enter the full physical address to where you would like the paper credential shipped.
    • For domestic addresses, you must enter the full address on lines 1, 2 and/or 3, U.S. City, State, Zip, and a valid telephone number. Do not enter text in the foreign city or foreign country fields.
    • For international addresses, you must enter the full address on lines 1, 2 and/or 3, foreign city, foreign country, a valid telephone number, and postal code. To add the postal code, enter it on Address Line 3. Do not enter text in the U.S. City, State, and Zip fields.
  • Once entered, click Save.
• To update an existing Diploma Mailing Address, select Change Address from within the address box.

Diplomas are ordered through our trusted vendor after degrees post to your academic record. Processing takes 3-4 weeks due to high volume. Shipping domestically takes up to an additional 2 weeks. Shipping internationally takes up to an additional 4 weeks. The expectation is that graduates will receive their paper credential within 8 weeks of order placement.

Diplomas are shipped by the United States Postal Service.

• We strongly recommend providing a United States address for delivery success.
  • If a U.S. address is not available to you, ship the credential to a trusted friend or relative in the U.S.
    • Enter their name on an address line for the Diploma Mailing Address in WebSTAC as follows:
      Attn: [First Name  Last Name]
  • If an international address is used for delivery and it is delayed or not delivered, then you will incur the cost of a replacement diploma.
    • USPS tracking numbers become invalid once the package is accepted by your country’s mail provider.
• An email from info@cecredentialtrust.com will be sent to your WUSTL email address once the diploma ships.

Shipment of diplomas take 4-6 weeks for a domestic address and up to 8 weeks for an international address. If you are moving 4-8 weeks after graduation, we recommend obtaining approval from a trusted friend or family member in the United States, then enter their U.S. address as the Diploma Mailing Address in WebSTAC.

• Enter their name on an address line for the Diploma Mailing Address in WebSTAC as follows:
  Attn: [First Name  Last Name]
• If an international address is used for delivery and it is delayed or not delivered, then you will incur the cost of a replacement diploma.
  • USPS tracking numbers become invalid once the package is accepted by your country’s mail provider.
• An email from info@cecredentialtrust.com will be sent to your WUSTL email address once the diploma ships.

Yes. We ship many international diplomas successfully. However, in recent years there has been a significant increase in delayed or not delivered diplomas to Eastern Asian countries. We strongly recommend graduates in Eastern Asian countries to obtain approval from a trusted friend or family member in the United States, then enter their U.S. address as the Diploma Mailing Address in WebSTAC.

Diplomas are shipped by the United States Postal Service.

• We strongly recommend providing a United States address for delivery success.
  • If a U.S. address is not available to you, ship the credential to a trusted friend or relative in the U.S.
    • Enter their name on an address line for the Diploma Mailing Address in WebSTAC as follows:
      Attn: [First Name  Last Name]
  • If an international address is used for delivery and it is delayed or not delivered, then you will incur the cost of a replacement diploma.
    • USPS tracking numbers become invalid once the package is accepted by your country’s mail provider.
• An email from info@cecredentialtrust.com will be sent to your WUSTL email address once the diploma ships.

The name that you enter in the Intent to Graduate is printed on the diploma. The university considers the diploma to be a ceremonial document and allows the graduate to request a familiar or preferred name be used on their diploma in lieu of their name of record. Please note that in some situations the diploma may need to be used as a legal document and the name appearing on the diploma may need to match other legal documents in your possession.

Diplomas for the six original degrees conferred by Washington University (Artium Baccalaurei, Artium Magistri, Philosophiae Doctoris, Legum Magistri, Juris Scientiae Doctoris and Medicinae Doctoris) are written in Latin. All other Washington University degrees and diplomas are written in English. Diplomas are signed by the administration of Washington University and contains an embossed seal. It lists the student’s name, the official title of the degree, and the date of conferral.

No. Latin diplomas cannot be reissued in English. English translations of Latin diplomas are available online and upon request.

Degree dates are based on the last day of final exams for each term. View the University Academic Calendars on our website.

No. A major is your area of study. Therefore, double major graduates will receive one diploma with the primary degree title printed on the diploma.

An Official University Transcript will reflect all earned majors, minors, certificates, and awards.

Latin honors are awarded to undergraduate students. This distinction is printed beneath the official title of the degree. The three Latin honors are Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude, and Cum Laude.

Paper diplomas are 11” x 8.5” in landscape orientation.

Official University Diploma frames are available for purchase through the Campus Bookstore.

No. The diploma is an official document issued to graduates by the University. Reproduction of the diploma is strictly prohibited. Alumni may purchase additional diplomas by downloading the Replacement Request Form (PDF) and mail it, along with payment, to the Office of the University Registrar.  A handwritten signature must be on the form.

Yes. We do not withhold diplomas from graduates with a hold on their account. However, official university transcripts cannot be processed until the hold is removed.

Since diplomas are printed by our trusted vendor, we cannot expedite your diploma shipment. There are four other options that may work for your situation.

1. If you need documentation before your degree posts to your academic record, contact your school’s Student Services Team to request a letter of degree or program completion.
2. Print an on-demand degree and enrollment verification in WebSTAC. Log in to WebSTAC, select Academics from the main toolbar, then Verification from the drop-down menu, and proceed as instructed.
3. Download the student verification request form (PDF) and mail, email, or fax the completed form to the Office of the University Registrar. A handwritten signature must be on the form. Verification request forms are generally processed within two business days, however can take up to 7 business days following graduation.
4. Graduates are issued a certified electronic diploma (CeDiD) which is an official, secure and verifiable PDF version of your accomplishment. This can be used until the paper diploma arrives. Simply provide your employer the 12-digit CeDiD code. The CeDiD allows for instant proof of your accomplishment using Washington University in St. Louis’ Validation Services.

Please visit the University Commencement website.

Please contact us at diplomaservices@wustl.edu.