Planning for Graduation
What are the requirements for graduation?
To graduate with an English degree, you must
- accumulate 120 hours of coursework,
- fulfill all of the requirements for the major,
- complete all University and College requirements (such as the Liberal Education or foreign language requirements), and
- earn a grade point average of 2.0 or better both within and outside the major.
How and when do I apply for graduation?
You should apply for graduation during the first semester of your junior year. Do so online at Hokie SPA. Download a detailed checklist of the process.
When I applied for graduation, I thought I'd be done in time to walk in the spring ceremony. No such luck. Now it looks like I won't graduate until the end of Summer I--maybe even Summer II. Do I have to do anything special or will I still get my diploma in May?
Actually, when you apply for graduation, you are virtually entering a commitment with the Registrar's Office: you are telling the people who work there to consider your graduation date as X and to base all of their calculations and interpretations on that original date. If you realize you cannot meet all requirements before the date you've established, you need to change your graduation date well ahead of time using Hokie SPA.
Each semester or term, the Registrar's Office prepares constantly updated versions of a Graduation Report, telling the Undergraduate Office who's scheduled to graduate and when, and indicating the status of that impending graduation: either AWARDED (which means your requirements will be met by the date you've indicated you want to graduate) or PENDING (they won't be!). You will be forever PENDING until you complete all requirements.
If you originally planned to graduate in May, but now you realize you won't finish until Summer I, your diploma will not be ready in May--simply because you're not finished with your coursework. By changing your graduation date, you are keeping the Registrar informed of when to have your diploma ready--and ensuring that your name goes on the proper Graduation Report for the proper term.
I won't have enough credits to graduate in May, but I'd really like to walk in the department's ceremony. Can I?
If you are within 12 hours of graduating, you intend to finish those hours in the summer, and you have a grade point average of 2.0 or better, you can walk in the ceremony.
I'll be graduating in December, but there's no department ceremony. Can I walk the following May?
Yes, you can, BUT you must notify BOTH Dee Hezel and Cathy Skinner as soon as you have decided that you'd like your name added to the spring graduation booklet. In addition, because it's a LOOOOOONG time between December and May, and there are a HUGE number of things the UG Office needs to keep track, it would be a terrific idea if you'd remind us as early as possible in the spring semester. Because the graduation bulletin must be printed, if you wait too late, your name will not appear in it.
I'm graduating in Summer I (or Summer II). How do I get my diploma?
The Registrar's Office can mail it to your home address or you can pick it up at that office. Neither is possible, though, until all requirements are completed. Inform the Registrar of whether you want to pick up the diploma or have it mailed to you.
How will I know if I am graduating with distinction?
Students who receive a final gpa of 3.4 or above graduate Cum Laude; 3.6, Magna Cum Laude; 3.8, Summa Cum Laude.
Will the diploma I receive at commencement show my distinction?
Maybe. Due to timing issues, diplomas are created using the previous semester's gpa -- the only final grades available when graduation occurs. If you did not reach 3.4 or above the previous semester, but you did this semester, it is more than likely your diploma will not reflect that distinction. All you need to do is contact the Registrar about having an updated diploma printed.
In some cases, your diploma might indicate an incorrect distinction -- a lower one. Again, the designation would be based on the previous semester's gpa. Again, contact the Registrar for an updated diploma.
Will I be identified as graduating with distinction in the English Department bulletin?
Unfortunately, the same timing issue affects the designation that accompanies your name in our bulletin. We have to print our bulletin before the final graduation report for the semester is available (this doesn't occur until the very morning of graduation). As a result, if you achieved distinction that semester or received a higher one, it is impossible for it to be reflected accurately in our graduation bulletin.
If I have more than one major, can I walk in both ceremonies?
You can if you can make it to both. As I'm sure you know, it would be incredibly rude to walk in or out once a ceremony has started. If the ceremonies overlap, choose one to attend.
If I decide to walk in the ceremony for my 2nd major instead of my 1st, how will I get my diploma?
If you have completed your requirements, your diploma is usually delivered to the ceremony of your first major. If you want to pick it up at your second major's ceremony, you'll need to notify the Registrar well ahead of time.
Where do I get my cap and gown?
You buy your cap and gown from the bookstore. They'll have all the info you need!
Do I need tickets for my relatives who wish to attend the English commencement?
No tickets are needed. Our spring ceremony is traditionally held the Saturday after graduation in Shultz Hall, but info will be posted as the time nears.