Country singer Carrie Underwood graduates

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. - Country singer Carrie Underwood is now a college graduate.

Underwood, the winner of last year's "American Idol," received her degree Saturday during a ceremony at Northeastern State University.

Along with 1,800 graduates, Underwood walked across the stage at Jack Dobbins Field House and received a degree from university President Larry Williams.

University spokeswoman Nancy Garber said Underwood declined interview requests so the spotlight could be on the other graduates.

Underwood, who graduated magna cum laude, received a Bachelor of Arts degree. She majored in mass communications with an emphasis in journalism.

The 23-year-old native of Checotah, an eastern Oklahoma town of about 3,800 residents, was a senior at Northeastern State, just three credits shy of earning her degree, when she withdrew from school to compete on "American Idol."

Underwood's hits include "Jesus, Take the Wheel," the video for which won her two Country Music Television video awards in April. The song also won a Dove Award from the Gospel Music Association last month.