diploma

commencement

Act of starting

• cap and gownCeremonial graduation attire
• valedictorianTop-ranked graduating student
• salutatorianSecond-ranked graduating student

ceremony · pomp and circumstance · tassel · robe · procession · honors · summa cum laude · magna cum laude · cum laude · dean's list

certificate

Formal written attestation

• accreditationOfficial quality approval
• certificationAttestation of qualification
• licenseFormal grant of permission

document · attestation · verification · authentication · validation · endorsement · transcript · parchment · scroll · seal

degree

Unit of measurement

• bachelor'sFirst university degree
• master'sAdvanced graduate credential
• doctorateHighest academic credential awarded

associate's · undergraduate · postgraduate · major · minor · thesis · dissertation · coursework · credits · GPA

accomplishment

Successful completion of aim

• milestoneNotable event marking progress
• attainmentSuccessful reaching of goal
• culminationHighest or final point

capstone · fulfillment · success · triumph · recognition · laurels · crowning · hard work · perseverance · dedication

employable

Suitable for work

• résuméCareer summary document
• credentialProof of qualification
• eligibilityState of meeting criteria

competence · proficiency · prerequisite · requirement · entry-level · hire · candidate · applicant · interview · career

• educationeducation, school, schools, teachers, students
• high schoolhigh school, teachers, classroom, classrooms, principal
• school lifeschool, teacher, classroom, homework, grades
• collegecampus, courses, application, dorms, dorm room
• college lifefreshman, freshman year, sophomore, junior, classes
• higher educationuniversity, college, degree, graduate school, law school