Graduaatio

Graduaatio is the formal process by which an individual is awarded an academic degree or diploma by a higher education institution after meeting the program's requirements. The term draws on Latin roots, with gradus meaning step or degree, and is used in several languages to refer to the act of completing studies and the associated ceremony.

In most systems, degree conferral occurs after completion of coursework, examinations, and any required thesis or dissertation. A candidate applies for graduation, the registrar or equivalent verifies eligibility, and the degree is formally conferred on a specified date. The graduation ceremony, when held, is a ceremonial occasion during which graduates receive diplomas or certificates, typically while wearing academic regalia or robes. Even when the degree is conferred on a separate date, the ceremony may still be called graduation.

There are variations by country and institution. Some places distinguish between the conferral of the degree and the graduation ceremony. In others, a single event marks both. Doctoral graduations often involve additional rituals, such as the hooding of candidates; regular programs may present undergraduate, master's, and doctoral ceremonies separately. Online or remote components have grown in contemporary times.

Graduaatio symbolizes achievement and the transition to professional life or further study. It can also reflect institutional traditions and social rituals, including regalia and honorary degrees. Debates surrounding access, affordability, and the value of degrees continue as higher education evolves.