Early Participation Policy

1) Have graduation requirements changed? Can I graduate with some requirements unmet?

NO. Graduation (the official conferral of the degree on the transcript) still requires 100% completion of all requirements, as certified by the registrar. This has not changed.

2) Can students walk in Commencement ceremonies with some requirements unmet?

Yes, with some conditions:

Undergraduate students:

1. You must be a candidate for May or August graduation (October deadline – see academic calendar).
2. Once Spring grades come in, you must be in good academic standing (2.0 Shepherd and Overall GPA, 2.0 major and minor GPA – higher for some majors)
3. Once Spring grades come in, you must have no more than two courses (max 9 credits) to complete.
4. No Latin honors are calculated, posted, or announced, and you will be identified as an August candidate in the Commencement program.

Graduate students:

1. You must be a candidate for May or August  graduation already.
2. Once Spring grades come in, you must be in good academic standing (3.00 Shepherd and Overall GPA)
3. Once Spring grades come in, you must have no more than one course (Master’s) or two courses (Doctoral) to complete.
4. You will be identified as an August candidate in the Commencement program.

3) When will I know whether I can participate in Commencement? Who will tell me?

Eligibility to graduate AND/OR to walk in Commencement is determined at the time that final grades have come in and are processed. It cannot be determined before that point.

Certification for graduation and/or Commencement participation is determined by the registrar.

4) Can I walk in one commencement with requirements still to complete, and then walk in another “official” commencement, with honors, once I finish?

NO. Commencement participation is allowed once per level (baccalaureate, Master’s, Doctoral). If you expect honors at the time of graduation, you may wish to postpone your participation until you have actually graduated (completed all requirements).

5) Can my advisor or the registrar tell me if I am eligible for Commencement or graduation before I apply for graduation?

You can certainly work with your advisor and the unofficial degree evaluation reports to plan your final semester(s), but the official review happens only for those who have applied for graduation.

And, as in 3) above, determining final eligibility happens only at the end of the intended graduation semester, when grades come in and are processed.