Graduation

Graduation under a Particular Catalog

General and specific requirements for degrees in graduate programs may be altered in successive catalogs. Provided the requisite courses continue to be offered, the student is bound by the course work requirements of the catalog in force at the time of admission. With the approval of:

       relevant Department Head

       Associate Dean

       Director of Graduate Studies

       Dean of Graduate Studies,

the student may instead elect to be bound by a subsequent catalog. This regulation applies only to the specific course work and the number of semester credit hours required for the academic degree.

Administrative requirements such as minimum grade point requirements for core courses can change for all students with the issuance of a new catalog.

The student should be aware that operating regulations, procedures, tuition and fees can be changed at any time. These are not bound by any catalog.

Application for Graduation

A student must apply for graduation through his/her Department or Program Office by the date specified in the Comet Calendar and the Academic Calendar in order to graduate at the end of a given semester. The student must complete a separate application for graduation for each semester in which an attempt to graduate is made. A student who expects to receive more than one degree in a single semester must complete a separate application for each degree. A late applicant for graduation will incur an additional fee. (refer to the Comet Calendar)

In order to receive a diploma, a student must pay all accounts due the university.

Graduation under In Absentia Registration

In absentia registration for graduation (i.e., registration for no course work) may be arranged for the candidate who has completed all degree requirements including final oral examination, but has not yet submitted final approved copies of thesis, dissertation or other required reports. Such a candidate may, for a nominal fee and with the approval of his/her graduate advisor, the Dean of Graduate Studies, and submission of the approved in absentia registration form, register during the semester or summer session in which the degree will be received. If the final copies of the dissertation or thesis have not been approved by the supervisory committee and received and approved by the Dean of Graduate Studies before the Census day in a given semester, in absentia registration is not acceptable for that semester. This arrangement is not permissible for a candidate who is removing an incomplete (X) grade. All in absentia registration requests must be submitted for approval of the Graduate Dean prior to the Census Day in the semester for which it will apply and the degree will be received.

Graduation Ceremonies

Graduation ceremonies are held at the conclusion of each long semester.