Graduation and Commencement
Planning to Graduate Soon?
You must apply to graduate whether or not you wish to attend the commencement ceremony. You must apply for graduation early in the semester you plan to graduate. See below for important information, including internship, comprehensive exam, product of learning, and thesis/dissertation.
Essential Dates for Graduating Students
Am I Eligible?
You are eligible to apply for graduation if you have or will complete ALL of your program’s graduation requirements including internship, comprehensive exam, product of learning and thesis/dissertation by the end of the Term.
You are responsible for making sure that you have met all of the graduation requirements for your graduate program. Your advisor's role is to assist you, but you and you alone are responsible for keeping track of your progress and making sure paperwork has been processed correctly!
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR AUGUST GRADS: Choose the term in which you will GRADUATE, not the term you will participate in the commencement ceremony. If the last semester in which you will take classes and finish all your requirements is Summer Session I or II, then you should complete the summer form.
How Do I Apply?
- Downloading the Spring, Summer or Fall application for graduation
- Visiting the Graduate School Office in 232 John Thomas Building
- Contacting Susan Triplett in the Graduate School (TriplettSW, 828-262-2175)
Semester Hour Requirements
Semester-hour requirements are specific to each program, with Master's programs varying from 30 to 60 hours, Specialist programs 30 hours, and the Doctoral program a minimum of 60 hours.
Please check the Graduate Bulletin for specific requirements for your graduate program.
GPA Requirement
To graduate, a graduate student must have at least a 3.0 average GPA on program of study coursework. A graduate student may graduate with a grade of I, NR, @F, F, U, WF or WU only if the course is not included on the student's Program of Study.
Enrollment Requirement
The University of North Carolina requires that graduate students be enrolled for at least one credit hour during the semester in which they graduate. If you are not enrolled during the semester in which you plan to graduate, the University will automatically enroll you for one hour of graduate research credit at the current tuition rate for one semester hour (off-campus credit to save you on fees).
Additional Graduation Requirements
Although specific requirements vary from program to program, you should be aware that you may need to complete some or most of the following:
- Foreign Language, Statistics, Computer Science or Technology Proficiency
- Written and/or Oral Comprehensive Examination
- Thesis or Dissertation Defense
- Product of Learning presentation
- Research Seminar presentation
- Capstone Course presentation
- Submission of transcripts for transfer credit
Graduation Audit
When you apply for graduation, the Graduate Records staff will perform a graduation audit. This process checks what is left to complete on your official, approved program of study. You will receive a letter to your permanent address indicating everything that remains before you can be cleared for graduation. For questions about your graduation audit, please contact Jessica Hagaman or Melissa Hicks in the Registrar's Office at 828-262-6438.
Graduation Contact Information
Application to Graduate, Commencement Information
Susan Triplett
Graduate School
Telephone: 828-262-2175
E-Mail: triplettsw@appstate.edu
Graduation Readiness (Academic Audit)
Jessica Hagaman (last names A through K) or Melissa Hicks (last names L through Z)
Office of the Registrar
Telephone: 828-262-6438
E-mail: hagamanjc@appstate.edu or hicksmp@appstate.edu
Frequently Asked Questions About Graduation
- Q: How do I apply for graduation?
A: You must complete an application form. The form is available on the Graduate School's web site (above on this page). You can also request the form by calling 828-262-2130. The application must be submitted to the Graduate School before the posted deadline. - Q: Is there a fee that accompanies the application to graduate?
A: Yes. The fee is $20 prior to the deadline, $25 after the deadline. This pays for your diploma. - Q: When are the commencement ceremonies?
A: Commencement ceremonies are held in May and December. Students who graduate in August may choose to attend either the May or the December ceremony to be recognised and hooded on stage, but names of August graduates are listed in the December program. - Q: How many guests may I invite to the commencement ceremony?
A: You may invite as many as you wish. Please be aware that once the auditorium has reached its maximum fire code capacity, guests will be seated in an overflow room to watch the ceremony via closed-circuit television. - Q: How do I get my cap, gown, and hood, as well as invitations?
A: Graduation regalia and invitations are available through the University Bookstore. Please contact the Bookstore at 828-262-3070.
