Gear Up for GraduationGraduate School Workshop

Fall 2014

Graduation vs. Commencement• Graduation = program completion• Commencement = ceremony

Commencement Details• Held only in the spring

• Saturday May 9, 2015• Fall graduates are encouraged to participate• Details sent via email mid-spring• Confirm attendance & order regalia • Diplomas not distributed at ceremony

Degree DocumentsTranscriptWhat is a transcript?A transcript is a copy of the permanent academic (educational) record at an institution of higher education. It becomes an official transcript when the seal of the institution is affixed and the signature of an authorized person is appended

• Lists all official degree information• Degree type (MS, MA, PHD)• Major • Specialization (must be in Graduate Catalog)• Official graduation date• All courses and grades

• Official/Unofficial

• Order through the Records Office• Hold for degree

Degree DocumentsDiploma• Degree certificate• Lists the degree type• Master of Education, Doctor of Philosophy

• Completion Date• Diplomas are not sent to outside entities by SDSU• Diploma Distribution• Records Office• Email with order information sent to Jacks account• Indicate delivery or pick up

Degree Documents• Transcripts are available approximately 1 month after semester ends

• Diplomas available approximately 3 months after semester ends

• Degree Verification• Graduate School can provide a degree letter • All requirements must be complete• Only available until degree is posted on transcript

Graduation Timeline•Graduate School Graduation Deadlines• Set 1 semester ahead• Posted online

•All must be met, no extensions

• Failure to meet results in delay of degree

Fall 2014 Graduation Deadlines* October 2 – Graduation Application & Charge Due

* November 14 – Final Oral Exam Completed

* November 21 – Thesis/Dissertation Submitted for Initial Format Check

* December 8 – Final Thesis/Dissertation Deposited

* December 17 – Official Graduation Date (no ceremony)

Graduation Application & Charge• Graduation Application must be submitted for file to be reviewed

• Advisor signature required

• $50.00 graduation charge• Must accompany application• Refunded if degree is granted• Refund is through direct deposit, enter information via Web Advisor• Charge is forfeited if degree is not awarded

• Graduation application• Please make sure major and specialization is listed correctly• Certificates programs must be on Graduation Application

• If degree is not awarded, you must reapply

Final Oral Exam (Defense)• The final oral exam should be completed during the final

semester, required for all graduate students

• Exam is scheduled by the student and advisor

• Final oral exam form submitted at least 2 weeks prior to exam

• PhD students• Comprehensive Oral Exam must be 2 months prior to Final Oral

Exam

• Continuous enrollment is required until all degree requirements are complete

Thesis/Dissertation Format Check• Format check is required for all thesis/dissertation students

• Submission is electronic via D2L• Instructions available online

• Formatting requirements and example document online• Thesis/Dissertation Workshop – Oct 1, 9:00am; Oct 2, 4:00pm USU 262

• Option B Research Paper – submitted to department only

Final Submission of Thesis/Dissertation

• Format check must be complete and all edits made

• Signed acceptance page submitted by deadline

• $45 fee paid to Briggs Library by deadline• Pays for printing & binding of University copies• Additional copies available for small fee

Plan of Study

• Make sure Plan of Study is up to date• Change of Plan of Study form

• An assessment will be sent prior to the final oral exam

• All Graduate Catalog requirements must be met

• 3.0 minimum GPA

Surveys

• PhD students are to complete the Survey of Earned Doctorate• SED tracks doctorate research, funding, awarded degrees and post graduation

plans

• All graduate students will receive an exit survey via Jacks email• Complete as soon as possible

Graduation ChecklistSubmit graduation applicationSchedule final oral exam with committeeSubmit final oral exam form

2 weeks prior to Final Oral Exam DateComplete final oral examSubmit thesis/dissertation for format checkSubmit final thesis/dissertationSubmit Option B research paper to departmentComplete all coursework requirements on Plan of Study