Frequently Asked Questions-Spring
- When do I apply for my degree?
- What is appropriate dress for under commencement gowns and for guests at commencement?
- Have I (or has my son/daughter) already applied to graduate for May 2008?
- How do I apply for a degree?
- How do I indicate on the application that I am pursuing two degrees?
- How many hours do I need to complete a double undergraduate degree?
- Do students receive an additional diploma for a double major?
- How can I order a replacement undergraduate diploma?
- What is the difference between graduating with "distinction" and graduating "with honors"?
- How do I graduate with honors?
- Will my minor or my concentration show on my diploma and my transcript?
- Will my major show on my diploma and my transcript?
- What GPA will show on my transcript?
- What is the size of the diploma?
- Can I "walk" during Spring Commencement even though I have applied to graduate during the summer?
- I am completing two degrees Spring Semester. I want to attend only one departmental ceremony and wish to receive both diplomas at that ceremony. What should I do?
- If I graduate during the spring, how long will it be before I receive my diploma? To which address will my diploma be mailed?
- What if I realize I am not going to complete degree requirements by the end of the term for which I applied, what should I do?
- What should I do if I want to transfer in the final credit needed to complete my degree?
- What is the last date to apply for graduation in order to receive a diploma at the Spring Commencement?
- How long after the ending date of the term do I have to complete degree requirements and still graduate that term?
- If students have questions about meeting departmental requirements, with whom should they talk?
- Whom do I contact with further questions?
Q:
When do I
apply for my degree?
A: For Spring 2008, applications
are due to the department head by October 15, 2007. They then must
be taken to the Registrar’s Office by November 15. They will continue
to be accepted in the Registrar's Office until March 15, 2008.
Q: What
is appropriate dress for under commencement gowns and for guests
at commencement?
A: Commencement is a formal
ceremony and dress should reflect this. Please refrain from
wearing clothing such as flip-flops, sneakers or jeans. Business
attire is considered appropriate, however, weather considerations
should be made as the ceremony is outdoors. Also, consideration
should be made when selecting footwear. The ceremonies take place
all across campus and significant walking may be required. In
addition, significant amounts of standing are possible.
Q: Have
I (or has my son/daughter) already applied to graduate for May 2008?
A: To make certain that you have
applied for graduation, you can check
here.
Q:
How
do I apply for a degree?
A: Undergraduate degree candidates
should complete the "Application for a Bachelor’s Degree"
available at the Office of the Registrar (Warren Hall 300 or 504A)
and submit it to their major advisor by the deadlines stated on the
forms. Degree applications for Graduate students are available through
department offices and at the Office of Graduate and Outreach Programs
or
here.
Q:
How
do I indicate on the application that I am pursuing two degrees?
A: Check the appropriate box(es)
on the application for a bachelors degree.
Q:
How
many hours do I need to complete a double undergraduate degree?
A: Students earning a double undergraduate
degree at JMU must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours, including a minimum
of 60 hours at JMU. Students who hold a baccalaureate degree from another
institution, earning a second baccalaureate degree at JMU must complete
a minimum of 30 credit hours and two regular semesters (including the
semester in which the requirements for the second baccalaureate degree
are met) at JMU.
Q:
Do
students receive an additional diploma for a double major?
A: Undergraduates who complete
two majors (for instance, English and History) will receive one diploma.
Students who complete two undergraduate degree programs (i.e., a BBA
degree in Accounting and a BS degree in Computer Science) will receive
two diplomas, but to do so they must earn at least 150 credits and
satisfy requirements for both degrees and both majors. The policy on
earning a Second Baccalaureate Degree appears in the JMU Undergraduate
Catalog.
Q:
How
can I order a replacement undergraduate diploma?
A: Contact the Office of the Registrar,
MSC 3528, Harrisonburg, VA 22807. There is a $15 charge for replacement
diplomas.
Q:
What
is the difference between graduating with "distinction" and
graduating "with honors"?
A: Graduation with distinction
denotes a student who completed an Academic Honors Program. To graduate
"with honors," students must
meet the criteria for graduation with honors.
Q: How
do I graduate with honors?
A: In
order to be eligible for graduation with honors, the student must
have been enrolled at JMU for a minimum of four semesters and have
completed a minimum of 60 credit hours at JMU during that time. The
student must also have maintained a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50
at James Madison University and have a cumulative average, as specified
below, in all course work, including all course work taken at all
other colleges the student has attended:
- 3.50-3.699 for graduating Cum laude.
- 3.70-3.899 for graduating Magna cum laude.
- 3.90 and above for graduating Summa cum laude.
Q:
Will
my minor or my concentration show on my diploma and my transcript?
A: No. Only the degree (e.g., Bachelor
of Arts) and graduation honors (if appropriate) appear on the diploma.
They will, however, appear on your transcript.
Q:
Will
my major show on my diploma and my transcript?
A: Only the degree (e.g., Bachelor
of Arts) and graduation honors (if appropriate) appear on the diploma.
Majors will appear on the transcript.
Q:
What
GPA will show on my transcript?
A: Your semester and your cumulative
GPA are printed on your transcript. The semester GPA is calculated only
on course work completed for an individual semester. The cumulative
GPA is based on ALL courses you have taken at JMU.
Q:
What
is the size of the diploma?
A: The diploma is 12x16" and
is displayed horizontally (landscape).
Q:
Can
I "walk" during Spring Commencement even though I have applied
to graduate during the summer?
A: Students who will satisfy degree
requirements in the summer can participate in the Spring Commencement
Ceremony, but must be pre-registered for summer classes prior to the
May ceremony. Diplomas for students who complete requirements during
the summer will be dated August 2006 and will be mailed at the conclusion
of summer term.
Q:
I
am completing two degrees Spring Semester. I want to attend only one
departmental ceremony and wish to receive both diplomas at that ceremony.
What should I do?
A: Since grades for the final semester
are not due until the Monday following commencement, diplomas are mailed
approximately three to four weeks after the ceremony. They are not distributed
at the ceremony. Students who are completing two degree programs in
separate colleges may attend the ceremony of their choice.
Q:
If I graduate
during the spring, how long will it be before I receive my diploma?
To which address will my diploma be mailed?
A: Diplomas will be mailed to the
home address approximately three to four weeks after the date the individual
degree is awarded. Students who want the diploma mailed to a different
address may notify the Office of the Registrar by completing the "Diploma
Address" form available in the registrar's office, Warren Hall
300 or 504A.
Q:
What
if I realize I am not going to complete degree requirements by the end
of the term for which I applied, what should I do?
A: Students should notify the Office
of the Registrar of changes in the anticipated graduation date. Students
who have applied to graduate and been cleared for commencement may participate
in the commencement ceremony, but applicants actually graduate and receive
their degrees only when all requirements are satisfied. Students who
do not satisfy all requirements for graduation will be notified of deficiencies
by letter and may reactivate their applications for a later graduate
date upon request.
Q:
What
should I do if I want to transfer in the final credit needed to complete
my degree?
A: Graduation requirements include
enrollment at James Madison University during the semester in which
degree requirements will be met. However, students who are unable to
complete their final semester in residence may request permission to
take final hours at another institution by submitting a "Permission
to Take Courses for Transfer Credit" form to the office of the
Dean of their major college. The forms are available at the following
web site: http://www.jmu.edu/registrar/forms.
Q:
What
is the last date to apply for graduation in order to receive a diploma
at the Spring Commencement?
A: Applications for spring graduation
were due in department offices on October 15, 2007, but the registrar's
office will continue to accept applications through March 15, 2008.
The names of degree candidates who submit applications after that date
may not appear in the Commencement program.
Q:
How
long after the ending date of the term do I have to complete degree
requirements and still graduate that term?
A: All requirements for the degree
must be completed by the date the degree is conferred. For instance,
the degree conferral date for Spring 2008 is May 3, 2008. To receive
a diploma dated May 3, 2008, degree candidates must complete all course
work for the degree by May 2, 2008.
Q:
If
students have questions about meeting departmental requirements, with
whom should they talk?
A: Students with questions about
meeting departmental requirements should consult their academic advisor
or another departmental representative.
Q:
Whom
do I contact with further questions?
A: For all questions concerning
the graduation process, please contact the Office of the Registrar,
(540) 568-6281, Warren Hall 504 or by e-mail.
For questions about the commencement ceremony, please contact the Office
of the Madison Institutes, (540) 568-1644, Medical Arts West or by e-mail.
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Publisher: Office of Madison Institutes For Information Contact: Bill Wilson James Madison University - JMAC 6, Suite 29, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 - (540) 568-1644 Privacy Statement |
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