Gear Up for Graduation Graduate School Workshop Spring 2016

Graduation vs. Commencement Graduation = all program requirement met Coursework complete Passed final oral exam Submission of thesis/dissertation (option A/PhD only) Commencement = ceremony Commencement Details Held only in the spring  Saturday May 7, 2016 Fall graduates are encouraged to participate, but not required Details sent via Jacks mid-spring  Confirm attendance & order regalia Diplomas not distributed at ceremony

Degree Documents Transcript What 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, Etc.)  Major  Specialization (must be in Graduate Catalog)  Official graduation date  All courses and grades Official/Unofficial Order through the Record’s OfficeRecord’s Office

Degree Documents Diploma Lists:  the degree type (MS, MEd, PhD, etc.)  completion date Diplomas are not sent to outside entities by SDSU Diploma distribution done by the Record’s Office An with order information is 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 – if needed sooner than transcript is available 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 are posted one semester in advance on the Graduate School website Spring 2016 Summer 2016 All deadlines must be met Failure to meet deadlines may result in delay of degree

Spring 2016 Graduation Deadlines February 12 – Graduation Application Due April 8 – Request to Participate in Commencement Ceremony Form Due- Summer Grads ONLY April 15 – Final Oral Exam Completed April 29 – Final Thesis/Dissertation Deposited Includes completed thesis or dissertation, signed acceptance page, signed copyright form, and paid library binding fee May 7 – Official Graduation Date/Commencement Ceremony

Graduation Application Graduation application must be submitted for file to be reviewed Advisor’s signature required There is no charge to apply to graduate; however, students who do not graduate will have a registration hold placed on their account and a $50 charge will be required to remove the hold Graduation application Please make sure major and specialization are 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, advisor, and committee – including graduate faculty representative Final oral exam form must be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to exam Late exam requests may not be processed PhD students Comprehensive oral exam must be taken 3 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 ProQuest Instructions available onlineonline Formatting requirements and example document can be found onlineonline Thesis/Dissertation Workshop – Tuesday, February 9 at 2:00pm in Avera 382 or Wednesday, February 10 at 10:00 am in the Union – Campanile and Hobo Day Gallery Option B Research Paper – submitted to department only

Final Submission of Thesis/Dissertation The following must be completed by deadline: Final format check Signed acceptance page $25 fee paid to Briggs Library Pays for printing & binding of University copies Additional copies available for small fee Signed copyright form SDSU will house thesis/dissertations in online repository

Plan of Study Make sure Plan of Study is up to date Change in 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 Doctorates SED tracks doctorate research, funding, awarded degrees and post graduation plans Link will be sent out via Jacks All graduate students will receive an exit survey via Jacks Complete as soon as possible

Graduation Checklist  Submit plan of study – must be approved  Submit committee and GFR request form  Submit graduation application  Schedule final oral exam with committee  Submit final oral exam form 2 weeks prior to final oral exam date  Complete final oral exam  Submit thesis/dissertation for final format check  Submit Option B research paper to department  Complete all coursework requirements on plan of study

Questions?