COMPLETING THE GRADUATION APPLICATION

 

A.  Please carefully check the preprinted information at the top of the graduation application.  If the application indicated a major that is different from the major in which the student plans to graduate, the student should come immediately to the Graduation Office in Founders Hall.

 

B.  The student’s Counseling Report/academic record should be reviewed against the academic campus, school, and major requirements as outlined in the effective University Bulletin.  The student entering a degree program as a freshman, transfer, readmitted or change of major student should fulfill the degree requirements as listed in the Bulletin which is effective at the time of their entrance into their degree program.  Please note that the computerized Counseling Report/academic record that accompanies the application lists courses by subject rather than in chronological order.

 

C.  The student along with the advisor should complete the graduation application.

 

D.  Please follow instructions listed below to complete the Graduation Application.  The instructions correspond to the sections with Roman numerals.

1. Total Credits Presented/Grade Point Average - From the first page of the Counseling Report, enter the following numbers.

a.      VCU Earned - On the line under Credits, enter the number under EHRS (Earned Hours) from the counseling report.  This is the total VCU and accepted Transferred Credits for which the student has received final grades and which are listed on the Counseling Report.

·        On the first half of the line under VCU Grade Points, enter the number under QHRS (Quality Hours) from the Counseling Report, which are the credits attempted at VCU.

·        On the second half of the VCU Grade Point line, enter the number under QPTS (Quality Points) from the Counseling Report - the total VCU earned quality points.

·        On the line under GPA, enter GPA from the Counseling report-the cumulative VCU GPA.  A cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 2.0 (AC@ average) or better on all VCU credits attempted is required in order to receive a baccalaureate degree. Only credits taken at VCU are computed in the GPA.  Some programs may require a higher cumulative GPA.  Consult the section of the effective Bulletin that deals with the major for any GPA requirements above the University minimum of 2.0.

b.      VCU To Be Completed - Enter total credits for all courses required for graduation and which have grades of AI@ (Incomplete), APR@ (Progress), or ANR@ (Not Reported).

c.      VCU Planned - Enter total credits for courses in which the student is currently enrolled or will be taking to fulfill requirements.

d.      Transferred - Enter Nothing on this line since the EHRS number entered on the top line is the combination of VCU earned credits and any accepted transfer credits.

e.      Total Credits Required - Enter the total number of credits required for the degree sought.   The sum of VCU Earned, VCU To Be Completed, and VCU Planned must be at least equal to Total Credits Required.

 

2.      To Be Completed

List courses needed for graduation that have outstanding grades of (Incomplete), PR (Progress), or NR (Not reported).  Give the course number (ex: ARTE 409), the grade, the term the course was taken, and the instructor.  The staff of the Graduation Office will check these courses.  The Dean’s Office will be notified of this status during the processing of graduation applications.  The student should be alerted to these courses and the importance of their completion.

 

3.      Major Concentration

a.      On the VCU Earned, VCU To Be Completed, VCU Planned,@ and ATransferred@ lines record the credits fulfilled and necessary for completion of the major.  On the ATotal Credits Required@ line, record the number of credits required for the major.  Transfer credits are listed on the first page of the Counseling report.  Transfer courses are listed in chronological order, not in alpha order.

 

b.      A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (AC@ average) or better is required for all courses presented in the major concentration for graduation in order to receive a baccalaureate degree.  Only credits taken at VCU are computed in the GPA.

 

Some major concentrations may require a higher cumulative GPA.  Consult the section of the effective Bulletin that deals with the major for any grade-point average requirements above the University minimum of 2.0.

 

4.      Upper Level Courses

A minimum of 45 credits is required in 300 and 400 level courses for a Bachelor’s Degree.  Credits transferred from two-year institutions may not be used to fulfill this requirement.

 

5.      Last 25% Rule

Degree candidates must complete the last 25% of the credits required for their associate or bachelor’s degree program at this institution.  This requirement does not apply to students who participate in VCU-sponsored programs abroad during this period or who earn course credits at a cooperating university through VCU domestic or international university exchanges.  Due to this recent change in policy, Part V. of the application still reads ALast 30 Credits.@

 

 

6.      Current Courses and/or Planned Courses

a.      ACurrent Courses@ are preprinted on the graduation application.  These are courses for which the student already has been registered during the current prior term (Holiday Intercession).  The student may add current term courses that are missing.

b.      Place an asterisk (*) before those courses which are necessary to complete DEGREE requirements.  These courses represent the credit number that is recorded under AVCU Planned@ in Part I of these instructions.

c.      Place a checkmark before those courses, which are necessary to complete MAJOR requirements.  These courses represent the credit number recorded under AVCU Planned@ in Part III of these instructions.

d.      The Graduation Office staff will review these courses when final grades are processed.  The appropriate school will be notified if the student does not satisfactorily complete a requirement.

 

Courses that do not appear on the Counseling Report should not be placed on the application unless an error is noted on the Counseling Report.  An evaluated transcript to correct the error must sign the application.  Please supply hometown information, which is located near the signature line, if the preprinted information is incorrect or missing.  This information will be used in the May Commencement program.

 

The student must fill in the line for DIPLOMA NAME near the top of the graduation application.  Diplomas are ordered using the name exactly as it appears on this line.   After the application has been filled out, the advisor should forward the application to the department chairperson.  All applications must be obtained from the Office of Records and Registration and submitted to the advisor by June 28, 2002 for the August 2002 graduation, September 20, 2002 for the December 2002 graduation or by January 24, 2003 for May 2003 graduation.  The bottom (golden rod) copy should be returned to the student after all signatures have been obtained.

 

If you have any questions, please call 804-828-1917 or visit the Graduation Office at 827 West Franklin Street in Room 318. Their office hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.