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Graduation
Preparing to Graduate
Did you know that you must APPLY to graduate? This page outlines the procedures you should follow.
You will be a graduate only after you have completed all degree requirements (see your advisor or Student Records) and have no financial obligations to the University. The degree designation (BS, MS, MPH, MHSA, or DrPH) may be used after your name only when you have completed all of your degree requirements. While degrees are awarded at the end of each semester, formal Commencement ceremonies occur only in May.
Application for Graduation Form: Information and Deadlines
Download the Application for Graduation Form. Submit this form to the Office of Student Records in Ross Hall Room 222 by the deadline below to indicate that you plan to complete degree requirements in the applicable semester. When submitted in February, this form also indicates whether you plan to participate in the Commencement ceremony.
Deadlines:
- February 1 If you will be completing degree requirements in the spring semester. Note that you should also submit this form by February 1 if you plan to graduate in the summer, but wish to participate in Commencement as a "walk through candidate" (see walk-through policy below, under "Eligibility to Participate in Commencement Ceremony").
- July 1 If you will be completing degree requirements in the summer sessions.
- October 1 If you will be completing degree requirements in the fall semester.
Please note that applications submitted after the deadline will incur a $35 late fee. This fee is non-negotiable.
The Application for Graduation Form:
- Notifies the Office of Student Records to begin your degree certification process. Student Records staff will review your academic record and verify that it is possible for you to complete the degree requirements by the end of the semester.
- Informs us of your plans to attend the annual spring Commencement Ceremony held in May. If you are not sure whether you will attend, we recommend you check the "yes" box, because your plans may change. Only those who check the "yes" box will receive details about participating in the ceremony.
- Ensures that your name will be correct in the Commencement Program and on your diploma.
- Notifies the University to assess the $100 graduation fee. This fee is charged to all graduating students and will be billed to your student account.
Please note that if you are unable to complete all degree requirements by the end of the semester, your application will be withdrawn and you must submit another Application for Graduation Form for the appropriate semester. You will not be charged another graduation fee.
May Commencement Ceremonies
The annual Commencement Ceremonies take place in May to commemorate the graduation of students from the University and the School of Public Health and Health Services. Please note that participation in Commencement does not confirm that you have been cleared for graduation!
Graduates are invited to attend two ceremonies:
- The SPHHS Commencement Ceremony ("SPHHS Celebration") will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2012, at 12pm. The School of Public Health and Health Services Celebration is an indoor ceremony. This ceremony consists of speeches from the SPHHS Dean, an invited guest, and students, as well as presentation of faculty awards. Each graduate is called to the stage to receive a scroll (the actual diploma is mailed later). A professional photographer takes your picture and a group photograph is taken as well.
Please Note: Students should arrive at 10am for class pictures and special instructions regarding the ceremony and the line-up for procession. Guests should arrive between 11:30 and 11:55. Faculty should arrive by 11:30 am. Lisner Auditorium's doors will be closed at 11:55am for the procession to enter the auditorium. Doors will reopen once the procession has entered the auditorium.
- The University Commencement Ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 20, 2012, at 9:30 a.m. on the National Mall (between 4th and 7th Streets, NW) rain or shine. (On campus emergency plan will be announced). This large ceremony consists of a processional, awards and prizes to faculty, conferral of honorary degrees, speakers (student speaker and major public figures), and the official conferral of degrees by the University President. Students' names are not called at this ceremony, nor do they walk across the stage.
Please Note: Students and guests should arrive promptly at 9am. The students should directly proceed to join the SPHHS group and line up behind the school's banner. The SPHHS banner will be located near the corner of Madison and 4th Streets. (The banner has a salmon colored stripe) The University Procession begins at 9:30 am. The Ceremony begins at 10 am.
Eligibility to Participate in Commencement Ceremonies
If you have applied to graduate in the current spring semester (2012), or if you graduated in fall 2011 or summer 2011, you are eligible to participate in the May 2012 Commencement Ceremonies.
In addition, according to the University's "Walk-Through Policy," you may participate in the spring Commencement Ceremonies if you are an undergraduate or master's-level student with:
- a reasonable expectation of completing your degree requirements during summer 2011; and
- you need no more than nine credit hours during summer 2012 to graduate,
The maximum of nine credits is a firm policy and not subject to petition or appeal. Doctoral candidates who have not successfully defended their dissertation by April 1, 2012, may not participate in either the May Commencement or Hooding Ceremony.
Tickets and Invitation Packets
You will be notified via email to reserve your tickets for the School Ceremony. Because of the limited seating in Lisner Auditorium and the number of graduates participating, we can only guarantee a limited number of tickets. This year, each graduate is guaranteed 4 (four) tickets. Please note that there are always a number of no-shows at an event of this magnitude. At Commencement, after the procession of graduates has finished, the staff of Lisner Auditorium will permit entry to guests without tickets as seats are available. We will also provide an overflow site which will have a live feed of the ceremony.
Ticket Packets
Ticket Packets will be available for pick up in Ross Hall Suite 202 in early April. In order for you to pick up your ticket packet, you will need to show evidence that you have completed the GW Graduation Student Survey. You will receive an email detailing how to take the Graduate Student Survey in late March. Once you completed the survey, make sure to print a copy of the confirmation page and bring it with you, when picking up your tickets. Please note that the survey will take a few minutes to complete.
Your ticket packet will contain tickets for BOTH the SPHHS and the University ceremonies. It will also contain a Guide to Commencement on the Mall that provides details about the ceremony, information about obtaining your cap and gown, and a parking pass for the SPHHS ceremony.
Please plan on picking up your ticket packet in Ross Hall 202.
For students who are out of town and have no way to come and pick up their tickets and commencement packets between 3/29-4/23, there are two options:
- You can pick up your tickets and packets the week of the events, specifically Wednesday, May 16-Friday, May 18, 2012 from Ross 202 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Please email Student Affairs to set up a time for any of those three days.
- Have someone who is in the DC area come in and pick up the tickets during the ticket pickup period in early April. Please email Student Affairs with the first and last name of the individual who will pick up the tickets, and also a statement indicating that the student is authorizing this person to pick up their tickets on their behalf.
Regalia (Cap and Gown)
Caps and gowns worn by students at Commencement are available at the GW Bookstore in the lower level of the Marvin Center in March. Please plan on attending the Commencement Fair at Colonial Central and the GW Bookstore. You will be able to purchase cap and gown, announcements, and rings. The Commencement Fair will be held March 21-24, 2012. Visit Commencement Fair for more information.
Regalia will not be available at Lisner or on the Mall. Graduates attending SPHHS Celebration on Saturday, May 19, are strongly encouraged to pick up their regalia no later than Thursday, May 17.
Printed Commencement Program – University and School Ceremonies
Your name will only appear in the SPHHS Commencement Program if you have submitted your Application for Graduation by the deadline and have met the above-stated eligibility criteria. Your name will be listed alphabetically according to the semester your degree requirements were completed.
Diploma and Transcripts
Your diploma will be mailed to you about three months after your official date of graduation. If you are moving, please make sure that the Registrar's Office has your new address.
Your official transcript reflects the awarding of your degree and the date of your graduation and, therefore, can be issued to you only after your official graduation date. There are currently two ways to obtain a transcript.
- You may request a copy of your Official Transcript by submitting a Transcript Request Form along with appropriate payment to Colonial Central on the Ground Floor of the Marvin Center at 800 21st Street NW.
- For more options to request a transcript, please click here.
PLEASE NOTE: Official transcripts will NOT be issued if you have not met your financial obligations to the University. It is the policy of the University not to issue partial transcripts.
If you are a currently enrolled student, you may also review your unofficial transcript online via GWeb.
If you need verification of your graduation before your final transcript and diploma are available, request certification of completion from the Registrar's Office. Click here for the Request for Certification Services Form.
Who To Contact For Assistance
If you have questions regarding graduation or Commencement, please contact:
Mallory Boyd, Executive Director
SPHHS Student Affairs
(202) 994-2632
Mallory@gwu.edu
Or
Jennifer Lyles, Assistant Director
SPHHS Office of Student Records
(202) 994-8406
jenlyles@gwu.edu
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