JMU - Undergraduate Graduation FAQ's
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Dates & Deadlines
Dropping a class after the drop deadline will result in a 'W' on the transcript and applicable tuition charges.
March 4 - 8, 2013
Spring break. No classes.
March 8, 2013
JMU closed.
March 11, 2013
8W2 classes begin
Summer 2013 schedule of classes viewable via MyMadison.
March 15, 2013
Last day to withdraw from or change grading options for a semester class.
Inauguration of President Alger
10:10AM, 11:15AM & 12:20PM classes will not meet so that students and faculty can attend the ceremony.
March 18, 2013
Last day to add or drop an 8W2 class.
Dropping an 8W2 class after this drop deadline will result in a 'W' on the transcript and applicable tuition charges.
March 18, 2013
Summer 2013 enrollment begins. GR/DR enrollment opens at midnight. UG enrollment by appointment.
Undergraduate Graduation FAQ's
Graduation
What do I need to do when I am ready to graduate?
Application for a Bachelor's Degree
If you are an undergraduate student, complete the Application for a Bachelor's Degree and submit it to your academic advisor by the deadline. You will need to indicate the major/minor courses in which you are currently enrolled as well as the courses you plan to take during the semester in which requirements will be satisfied.
When do I apply for my degree?
The deadlines for submitting a graduation application can be found here.
Have I (or has my son/daughter) applied to graduate?
Check the list of applications received (updated weekly) on the Office of the Registrar’s website:
List of Undergraduate graduation applications received:
* May
* August
* December
If your application was turned in more than four weeks ago and your name does not appear on the list, contact the Registrar’s Office at graduation@jmu.edu.
My parents want information about commencement. Where is that information?
The University has a commencement website that gives the most indepth information regarding the graduation ceremonies which is always available. The Office of the Registrar emails information to undergraduate students who have applied to graduate approximately one month prior to the commencement excercises.
How do I indicate on the application that I am pursuing two degrees?
Check the appropriate box on the application for your first bachelor’s degree and then indicate the second degree type next to your second major. The two degree types must be different; you cannot earn two of the same type of degree.
How many hours do I need to complete two degrees concurrently?
Students applying for two undergraduate degrees from JMU must earn a minimum of 150 credit hours, including a minimum of 60 hours at JMU, and must complete requirements for both degree types and majors.
I have a question about meeting my major or minor requirements; who should I contact?
Students with questions about meeting major or minor requirements should consult their academic advisor or another departmental representative.
Will my major, minor, or concentration appear on both my diploma and my transcript?
Only the degree (e.g., Bachelor of Arts) and graduation honors (if applicable) appear on the diploma. The degree(s), major(s), minor(s), and concentration(s) as well as any honors received will appear on the transcript.
What GPA appears on my transcript?
Your term and cumulative GPAs appear on your transcript. Major and minor GPAs are not considered a part of the official academic record and therefore do not appear on the transcript.
Am I eligible for graduation honors?
Students who have completed at least 60 credit hours at JMU with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above are eligible for graduation with honors. To determine whether honors apply, however, the Office of the Registrar will calculate a combined grade point average including all JMU coursework and all coursework completed at any other institution the student may have attended. If the combined grade point average is less than 3.500, then no honors will be awarded. Note: there is no rounding done in this process. If the combined grade point average is equal to 3.500 or above, then honors will be awarded as follows:
|
Honors
|
Average
|
| Cum laude | 3.500 - 3.699 |
| Magna cum laude | 3.700 - 3.899 |
| Summa cum laude | 3.900 - 4.000 |
Can I walk in the May or December graduation ceremony if I will complete requirements at a later date?
All graduation requirements must be met in the semester for which you have applied to graduate. Students may not participate in the December commencement if their requirements will be met in the coming spring semester, nor may students participate in the May commencement if their requirements will be met in the coming fall semester. Students are permitted to participate in the May ceremony if all requirements for graduation will be completed during the subsequent summer session, but the diploma will not be awarded until the end of the summer term and will be given an August confer date.
How long will it be before I receive my diploma? To which address will my diploma be mailed?
Diplomas are mailed to the home address that appears in MyMadison. Make sure that your home address information is updated in MyMadison prior to commencement to ensure that your diploma is sent to the correct address.
If you graduate in: Your diploma will be mailed:
May four to six weeks after commencement
August three to four weeks after summer terms ends
December six to eight weeks after commencement
What will my diploma look like?
The diploma is 12x16" and is displayed horizontally (landscape). Only the degree (e.g., Bachelor of Arts) and graduation honors (if appropriate) appear on the diploma.
How do I order a replacement or an extra copy of my diploma?
Contact the Office of the Registrar at 540-568-6281 or by email at graduation@jmu.edu. There is a $15 charge for replacement diplomas.
What if I realize that I am not going to complete degree requirements by the end of the term for which I applied?
Send an email from your JMU email account to graduation@jmu.edu to request that your graduation application be moved to a different date.
What should I do if I need to transfer in the final credit(s) needed to complete my degree?
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 website: http://www.jmu.edu/registrar/forms.
For questions concerning the graduation process for undergraduate students, please contact the Office of the Registrar at (540)568-6281, Warren Hall Room 504, or by e-mail at graduation@jmu.edu.
For questions concerning the graduation process for graduate students, please contact The Graduate School at (540)568-6131 or by email at grad@jmu.edu.
For questions concerning the commencement ceremony, please contact the Office of University Events at (540)568-5180, JMAC 2, or by e-mail at universityevents@jmu.edu.
Publisher:
Office of the Registrar
For Information Contact:
registrar@jmu.edu
James Madison University
Warren Hall , MSC 3528
Phone: (540) 568-6281
Fax: (540) 568-5615
Last Modified: 3/1/2013
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