Graduation Steps

Our key responsibility in Records & Registration is to serve our students the best possible way we can and to provide them with a continuously exceptional experience.  This includes the process of preparing our undergraduate students for graduation.  By educating and encouraging students to take the following steps, we hope their pathway towards graduation is a success!  (Graduate students, please visit the Graduate School website for graduation information.)

6 Steps Toward Graduation:

Students should begin graduation process upon earning 87 hours.

STEP 1:  CHECK YOUR INFORMATION USING WINGSPAN. 

Make certain your information is correct.  Verify your information under "Registration Status" on Wingspan.   The “Remaining Requirements letter” is based on this information.  If the information is incorrect, visit your Student Services office to update the information.

STEP 2:       SUBMIT A GRADUATION APPLICATION.

Students must complete an “Undergraduate Application for Graduation” and submit the form to the Office of Records & Registration, 126 Tillman.    

APPLICATION DEADLINES:  Completed forms must be received in the Office of Records & Registration, 126 Tillman, by:

February 1st for August and December graduates.
September 15th for May graduates.

Please note that a $50.00 application fee is required and will automatically be applied to your student account. 

Failure to submit application by the established deadlines will result in a late fee assessment of an additional $25.00 for applications received after the deadline and an additional $50.00 for applications submitted during the semester of anticipated graduation.

RECEIPT OF “Undergraduate Application for Graduation”: 

Receipt of application and information is entered by the staff of Records & Registration.  Students may monitor their graduation checkout process under "Graduation Information" on Wingspan, selecting the term in which they are graduating.

The following messages indicate the status of the application:

• Not Applied
• Filed an Undergraduate Application for Graduation 
• Remaining Graduation Requirements Reviewed (final audit).
• Displayed on Wingspan and letter has been mailed out. 
• Degree Requirements Complete
• Degree Requirements Not Completed

Diploma orders are based on the information provided on your application.  Please make sure you list the “Name to appear on diploma” where listed.

STEP 3:       REMAINING GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS REVIEWED AND DISPLAYED ON WINGSPAN.

Once a student has applied for graduation, the Office of Records and Registration will review their academic record. 
***An audit is prepared the semester before the student is scheduled to graduate.*** 

Once an audit is completed a hard copy of the Remaining Graduation Requirements is mailed to the student. The Remaining Graduation Requirements audit is also available online on WINGSPAN. (Select the term in which you are graduating to view.)

*PLEASE NOTE:  ONLY students who've applied for graduation and had an audit completed will be able to view their Remaining Graduation Requirements on WINGSPAN.

Please review carefully and maintain letter for your records.  This is a final notice of what requirements the students must complete in order to graduate successfully.  If you find our records do not agree with yours, please visit with your Academic Advisor or contact your Student Services office for additional assistance.  Pay close attention to the " Requirements last updated " DATE on the bottom of the WINGSPAN audit screen.  Wingspan is not updated after additional coursework is completed thereafter.  Students are to use their audit as a guide and check off their courses as they complete them.

STEP 4:       ATTEND GRAD FINALE.

The Grad Finale is held in the Fall and Spring semesters.  Students may attend these events during the semester in which they are preparing to graduate.  Students are able to order their cap, gown, announcements, and ring, as well as receive information about the commencement ceremony.  The Fall 2009 Grad Finale is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13 from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. in the West Center Commuter Lounge.

STEP 5:       REVIEW COMMENCEMENT BULLETIN.

Click here to review the latest Commencement Bulletin.

STEP 6:       COMPLETE ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION.
 
The Office of Records & Registration clears students for graduation after final exams have been concluded and grades have been submitted.  Students will be notified the Thursday or Friday prior to the Commencement Ceremony if they have not been cleared to graduate.  All requirements must be completed in order to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.

***Students may also check the Graduation Information page on Wingspan to determine their graduation status.***
 

Failure to Apply

Failing to apply for graduation on time may result in the following:

• Taking the wrong classes, resulting in a later graduation date.
• Taking unneeded classes, resulting in added expenses.
• Not being cleared to graduate, resulting in a degree not being awarded.
• Late fees incurring with a late application for graduation.
• Not being admitted on a timely basis (or at all if lacking requirements) to graduate programs.
• Not having a diploma available upon graduation because of late ordering.
• Not having your name in the Commencement Program due to applying late.
• Having no reader card (used to announce your name) printed for the ceremony.
• Not having your name printed in your town newspaper listing graduates.
• Risking difficulty in obtaining employment because confirmation of a degree being awarded can not be given.