The Office of the Registrar congratulates you on finishing your academic program at Rush University! Your diploma is an important, tangible way to recognize your accomplishment. Please pay careful attention to the details below to learn what to expect.
Diploma Name
Diplomas are issued in the student's legal name. You can verify the legal name we have on file by visiting your Intent to Graduate Form. The name you see listed is the name that will display on your credential. Any changes (adding or removing a middle name, updating your record to a new last name, etc.) must be submitted within two weeks of the end of the term to be included on your diploma. Updates requested after this timeframe may incur a charge to reprint your credential.
Please complete and submit the Name Change form along with documentation of the change at least two weeks in advance of the end of your graduation term.
Timing of Conferral
Formal conferral of your degree or certificate takes place after all degree or certificate requirements are met, including outstanding grades for your final term.
Issuing Your Credential
Your diploma will be ordered from our vendor, Parchment, within three weeks of your degree or certificate being formally conferred. You will be notified via email when your credential has been ordered.
Your order will consist of:
- A physical, printed credential – this will be mailed via the US Postal Service to the address you provided on the Intent to Graduate Form.
- A digital diploma – this is immediately available for you to download from your Parchment account once the order has been placed. You can share this document with family, friends and potential employers.
IMPORTANT: Please look for an email with the subject “Your Rush University Credential” in your Rush email account after the term officially ends. This message will include instructions for accessing your digital diploma and give you 72 hours to update the shipping address for your printed credential. Your diploma will be scheduled to print and the shipping address will no longer be editable after this 72-hour window.
After printing, your diploma or certificate will be shipped directly from Parchment. Please allow roughly 15 business days to receive your printed diploma after the 72-hour address update window has expired. Please keep an eye on your Parchment account to track the status of your credential.
Please note that diplomas shipped to international addresses may take extra time to reach you. Some international destinations may not be accessible to the US Postal Service, and we will do our best to help with alternate shipping arrangements.
Credential Measurements
Diplomas are sized based on the type of degree or certificate awarded:
- All undergraduate degrees are sized 11" x 8.5"
- All graduate/professional degrees are sized 14" x 11"
- All certificates are sized 11" x 8.5"
Damaged Credentials
If your diploma or certificate is received damaged, please follow the instructions included in the shipment envelope to request a replacement directly from Parchment.
Ordering a Duplicate Credential
If you need to order a duplicate or replacement diploma (not due to damage during shipment), please complete and submit the Replacement or Duplicate Diploma form.