Diplomas

Diplomas will be delivered to graduates at the address listed on their graduation application six to ten weeks after graduation. If this address changes after the application is submitted, please notify the Office of the University Registrar at [email protected]. 

Diplomas for students with certain holds on their account cannot be ordered while holds remain. Once holds are cleared, please review the information below regarding holds in order to request the release of your diploma. 

What is a CeDiploma? How can I access mine? Where can my employer validate my digital credential?

Please review the information about Certified Electronic Diplomas here. On this page, you can also find additional details about security features and a portal for validating the digital credential. (Please note that CeDiplomas® are only available for degrees awarded Spring 2020 and forward.)

Included on a UTC Diploma

• The graduate's full name
  • For more information about preferred names, please see related section further down the page.
• Degree title (e.g., Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, etc.)
  • For more information on degree titles, please see the "Undergraduate Degree and Graduation Requirements" section in the academic catalog.
• Primary Program/Major (e.g., Chemistry, English, etc.)
• University "Latin" Honors Designation (e.g., "cum laude")
  • For eligible undergraduate students only.

NOT Included on a UTC Diploma:

• Concentrations (e.g., Biochemistry, Creative Writing, etc.)
• Minors

PLEASE NOTE: Prior to December 2022, only the degree was listed on diplomas.

Important Note:

• Students will receive one diploma per degree type (e.g., Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, etc.).
• Students who complete more than one major within a single degree will receive one diploma with the major of their choice, and will be able to order a second diploma for any additional major(s) at a later date.

Replacement/Additional diploma orders are processed through our partner Paradigm. 

UTC places a monthly order within the first 7 days of each month that includes all standard processing & standard shipping orders that have been placed since the last order. New orders submitted to UTC after our monthly order is placed will be included in the next monthly order (unless Rush Processing is requested for an additional fee).

• Standard orders are typically processed within 4 weeks; printing takes up to 10 days and delivery is standard USPS mail.
• Rush processing for printing within 5 days or printing within 24 hours is available for an additional fee.
• Expedited shipping is available for an additional fee.
• Replacement/additional diplomas will reflect the signatures of current administrators.
• Replacement/additional diplomas will reflect the current formatting standards.
  • Depending on date of degree conferral, replacement/additional diplomas may not be an exact replica of the original document.
• Orders from students with a hold will not be processed.
  • Once the hold is resolved, a new order is required.
• If your legal name has changed since you received your original diploma, please complete the legal name change process.
  • Submit copies of marriage certificate, divorce degree, court order, etc. by email to [email protected]
  • If supporting documents are not received, diploma names will be printed as it originally appeared on the diploma.

Click here to place an order. 

Financial Obligations

In compliance with Tennessee law, all financial obligations to the University such as fees, tuition, parking fines, library fines, transcript fees, or return of any rented or borrowed equipment must be cleared before your diploma can be released or any transcript request can be fulfilled.

Senior Exit Exam

Graduation requirements for all undergraduate students include completion of the Senior Exit Exam. If you have not completed this requirement, please contact the UTC Testing Center at 423-425-5305. Diplomas will not be released to students who have not completed the Senior Exit Exam.

Cleared Your Holds? Let Us Know!

The following is not required for most students, and should only be completed by recent graduates who have cleared holds (monetary, senior exit exam, etc.) AFTER diplomas have been shipped. If this applies to you, submit a Diploma Mailing Request form. 

effective December 2022 and forward

Doctoral diplomas: 

• 14" tall x 17" wide

All other diplomas (bachelor, master, education specialist, etc.): 

• 12" tall x 15" wide

Your legal name is required on official academic records, transcripts, and enrollment verifications. However, because a diploma is a ceremonial document, UTC allows students to request a preferred name (first and/or middle) to be printed on their diploma.

Acceptable Requests:

• Preferred first name
• Preferred middle name/initial
• Preferred shortened name (e.g., “Alex” for “Alexander” or “Gabi” for “Gabriela”)

Unacceptable Requests:

• Profanity, vulgarity, or offensive terms
• Honorifics, titles, ranks, or unearned credentials (e.g., Mr/s., Esq., Sgt., Dr.)
• Fictional names, social media handles, symbols, or numbers.
• Inappropriate or non-name nicknames (e.g., “Shorty” or “The Greatest”)
• Misrepresentation, fraud, or attempts to avoid legal obligations

Approval & Institutional Right to Refuse

• All requests are subject to review by the Office of the University Registrar. 
• The surname/last name must match the legal last name on file unless a legal name change has been processed.
• UTC reserves the right to deny any preferred name request that violates these guidelines. 
• If a request is denied, the student’s legal name will be printed on the diploma.