Program Completion

University of Alberta Continuing Education would like to congratulate all students who have successfully completed their program. We are excited to honour and recognize your hard work and accomplishments. 

Requirements to Complete Your Program

  • Students must be admitted to the applicable program of study to be eligible for Program Completion; General Studies students do not qualify for Program Completion.
  • Letter of Completion requests
  • Students admitted to a program of study can track their academic requirements in Bear Tracks (Academics > Plan > Academic Requirements).
  • Academic Standing for Program Completion - students must obtain a cumulative program GPA of 2.0. Those students who do not meet this requirement should contact their program office.

Continuing Education Series

There are no admission requirements for students pursuing a Continuing Education Series. Once students have completed the required courses (as stated on the program page), submit the Request your Record of Achievement for series completion »

Series completions are mailed to the current address on your student file, so please ensure that addresses are up to date.

Key Dates

December to February 1

  • Bear Tracks application for program completion opens.
  • Students navigate to Bear Tracks > Academics Records Tile > Graduation > Apply for Graduation, then select their academic program.

February 1

  • Bear Tracks application for program completion closes (missed this online application deadline…contact your program’s coordinator).

Early February

  • Confirmation email sent to students who applied.

May

  • Online and Continuing Education finishes reviewing and confirming applicants’ program completion status.

Early June

  • Parchments issued to students. 
  • Students who meet all requirements for program completion will receive instructions on when and where they can pick up their parchments or, have their parchments delivered through regular mail.

Apply for Program Completion

If you meet the requirements to complete your program, follow the steps below.

1. Apply on Bear Tracks

  • Bear Tracks is open until February 1 for Continuing Education Students to apply for program completion.
  • In order for you to receive your parchment, you must apply for program completion. Failure to do so prior to the February 1 deadline may delay your parchment until the following year.
  • You must be admitted to your program in order to qualify for program completion and receive your parchment. General studies students do not qualify for program completion.
  • Please submit your application for program admission well in advance of February 1 to allow adequate time for processing.

Apply on Bear Tracks

2. Verify your name and address in Bear Tracks

  • Your name will be printed on your official parchment exactly as it appears in the Parchment Name field in Bear Tracks > Academics > My Academics > Graduation page > Graduation Status panel.
  • Please note that only full names can be printed on your parchment; initials are not allowed.
  • Name changes require completion of a Change of Name form. Please make a note on your form that it is “For Graduation Purposes.”
  • A current and complete address is required so we can mail your parchment. Addresses updated after May 20 may result in significant delays in receiving your parchment.

3. Pay any outstanding fees

  • Parchments and other official documentation will not be released to students who have outstanding accounts with the University. Therefore, you are urged to clear all outstanding accounts.
  • Use Bear Tracks to check your account.

4. Follow updates on your program completion status

  • Use Bear Tracks to check the status of your program completion graduation application. In May, your status will change from Applied to either Expected or Denied.
  • In mid-May, students who are expected to meet all program completion requirements will see a status update to Awarded.

Key Dates

July to September 1

  • Bear Tracks application for program completion opens.
  • Students navigate to Bear Tracks > Academics Records Tile > Graduation > Apply for Graduation, then select their academic program.

September 1

  • Bear Tracks application for program completion closes (missed this online application deadline…contact your program’s coordinator).

Early September

  • Confirmation email sent to students who applied.

October

  • Online and Continuing Education finishes reviewing and confirming applicants’ program completion status.

Early November

  • Parchments issued to students. 
  • Students who meet all requirements for program completion will receive instructions on when and where they can pick up their parchments or, have their parchments delivered through regular mail.

Apply for Program Completion

If you meet the requirements to complete your program, follow the steps below.

1. Apply on Bear Tracks

  • Bear Tracks is open until September 1 for Continuing Education Students to apply for program completion.
  • In order for you to receive your parchment, you must apply for program completion. Failure to do so prior to the September 1 deadline may delay your parchment until the following year.
  • You must be admitted to your program in order to qualify for program completion and receive your parchment. General studies students do not qualify for program completion.
  • Please submit your application for program admission well in advance of September 1 to allow adequate time for processing.

Apply on Bear Tracks

2. Verify your name and address in Bear Tracks

  • Your name will be printed on your official parchment exactly as it appears in the Parchment Name field in Bear Tracks > Academics > My Academics > Graduation page > Graduation Status panel.
  • Please note that only full names can be printed on your parchment; initials are not allowed.
  • Name changes require completion of a Change of Name form. Please make a note on your form that it is “For Graduation Purposes.”
  • A current and complete address is required so we can mail your parchment. Addresses updated after October 20 may result in significant delays in receiving your parchment.

3. Pay any outstanding fees

  • Parchments and other official documentation will not be released to students who have outstanding accounts with the University. Therefore, you are urged to clear all outstanding accounts.
  • Use Bear Tracks to check your account.

4. Follow updates on your program completion status

  • Use Bear Tracks to check the status of your program completion graduation application. In late October, your status will change from Applied to either Expected or Denied.
  • In mid-November, students who are expected to meet all program completion requirements will see a status update to Awarded.