Graduation Procedures

8. Graduation Procedures

8.1 Application for Degree Form
Students will be required to obtain this form from the Graduate School Office in 431 DAB. The form should be filed on or before the first working day of the month during which students plan to graduate. However, if students plan to participate in the commencement ceremony, they have earlier deadline dates that need to be met. Information for commencement participation is included below and with the instructions attached to the “Application for Degree” form.

Students will need to complete and submit the Graduate School Application for Degree form (OTR 180) to the Graduate School Office in 431 DAB (not the Office of Financial Aid & Registrar). If there are any differences between the Universal Degree Program and the students’ official transcripts then students will receive a Balance Letter (via e-mail) stating the issues. It will be up to the students to resolve any of these issues prior to clearing for graduation.

Students must complete their Application for Degree form by early March if they attend the commencement ceremony held in mid-May. If not, the form is due on the first day of the month during which students plan on taking their final oral exam.

8.1.1 Plan A Thesis Students
In addition to completing the Graduate School Application for Degree form, Plan A students are responsible for submitting or checking to be sure the following items are at the Graduate School Office in 431 DAB in order to maintain their graduation eligibility.
Two completed Examination Committee reports, i.e. forms GS 3 and GS 4, three unbound copies of their thesis and a $10.00 (amount subject to change) check payable to the University of Minnesota (not UMD).

8.1.2 Plan B Capstone Students
In addition to completing the Graduate School Application for Degree form, Plan B students are responsible for submitting or checking to be sure the following items are at the Graduate School Office in 431 DAB in order to maintain their graduation eligibility.
Two completed Examination Committee reports, i.e. forms GS 3 and GS 4. These must be filed in the Graduate School Office on or before the first day of the month that students plan to graduate.

8.2 Commencement Forms
The commencement forms must be completed by students and turned into the UMD GS by early March if they plan on graduating and attending the commencement ceremony in May. Alternatively, if students do not plan on attending the commencement ceremony, then the forms may be submitted by the first day of the month during which students take their final oral exam.

Students have to complete the Commencement Exercise form stating whether they do or do not plan on attending the ceremony. They also must complete the Commencement Attendance form used for planning guest seating arrangements. Both Commencement forms are due by early March unless students do not plan on attending the ceremony. If not, the forms are due on the first day of the month during which students plan on taking their final oral exam. Students will receive a packet of relevant materials from the GS if they do plan on attending the commencement ceremony.

8.3 GS 3 Reviewers Report Master’s Degree
The Reviewers Report Master’s Degree Written Form GS 3 must be submitted before students can officially graduate. Final Examination Committee members listed on student Universal Degree Program forms must approve the Reviewers Report. Students can attend the May commencement ceremony before turning in the Reviewers Report if they request and receive approval from the MSEM Director. In this case, the GS will extend the deadline for the Reviewers Report to the end of the following October, but will require the completed Reviewers Report form before students can officially graduate.

8.4 GS 4 Examination Report Master’s Degree
The Examination Report Master’s Degree Oral Form GS 4 must be submitted before students can officially graduate. Final Examination Committee members listed on student Universal Degree Program forms must approve the Examination Report. Students can attend the May commencement ceremony before turning in the Examination Report if they request and receive approval from the MSEM Director. In this case, the GS will extend the deadline for the Examination Report to the end of the following October, but will require the completed Examination Report before students can officially graduate.

8.5 Receipt of MSEM Diploma
The Application for Degree form, Commencement Exercise form, Commencement Attendance form, Reviewers Report Master’s Degree form (GS 3), and the Examination Report Master’s Degree form (GS 4) must all be submitted and approved by the UMD GS before students can officially graduate. Student final Examination Committees, consisting of MSEM and non-MSEM faculty, review the final theses or capstone reports prior to indicating their approval on the GS 3 and GS 4 forms. These forms are then submitted to the GS. The GS reviews all the above forms prior to granting final approval.

Diplomas are issued 3-4 months after graduation. All academic grades must be on record and complete by the last working day of the month during which students file their Application for Degree.

8.6 Transcript Requests
Official and unofficial copies of student transcripts may be obtained on-line by visiting the UMD Registrar's website.

8.7 Exit Interview
If students have any outstanding student loans (Perkins/NDSL loans, University Trust Fund loans, Robert Stafford/GSL loans, Direct Student loans, Health Profession loans, Ordean loans, or Primary Care loans) then they must attend an exit interview at 129 Darland Administration Building, or a hold will be placed on their records. This requirement does not apply to Self or Plus loans.