Visit the University Commencement Website for information on Commencement ceremonies.
Have a question? Here are some Graduation FAQs
BA/BS, BLS, BSED and BSN Students
While students begin preparing for graduation the first day they set foot on campus, by the middle of the junior year we send you an email announcement, that the Registrar’s Office is accepting Degree Applications. When instructed by email notification of the application open period, you must submit a degree application online via Banner Self-Service Apply to Graduate (see below for instructions). The degree application gets the ball rolling by telling us that you expect to be a member of the class to graduate a year and a half later.
For BA, BS, and BSED students, the degree application prompts a degree completion review, where the Office of the Registrar lists your remaining degree requirements, enabling students to work with their advisors to develop their degree completion plan. BSN students can contact Kevin Caffrey at 540-654-5864 with any questions on degree completion.
Throughout the senior year, there will be important contacts concerning your graduation status sent to you via your UMW email account. Please be diligent and check for notifications.
DEGREE APPLICATION
To Apply Online Go To:
- Banner Self-Service
- Student & Financial Aid
- Student Records
- Apply to Graduate
All undergraduate and graduate students must submit a degree application to the Office of the Registrar one year prior to the anticipated graduation date. While all other degree requirements may have been met, no student is allowed to graduate unless the application has been filed appropriately.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Students are subject to the degree requirements in effect at the time of acceptance into the program. To graduate, students must satisfy all stated curriculum requirements.
DEGREE EVALUATION
Candidates for graduation should review their Degree Works (DW) Degree Evaluation and Academic Transcript in Banner SSB to ensure that all requirements are met. If you have any questions, please contact your academic advisor.
To review Degree Evaluation or Academic Transcript Online Go To:
- Banner Self-Service
- Student & Financial Aid
- My Student Profile
- DW Degree Evaluation
Students may direct questions regarding their degree evaluations to the following offices:
- BA, BS, BSED and BSN programs – Office of the Registrar
- BLS program – Bachelor of Liberal Studies Office
MBA, MEd, and MSGA Students
Each graduate student, in preparation for graduation, must complete the following procedures and paper work.
DEGREE APPLICATION
All undergraduate and graduate students must submit a degree application to the Office of the Registrar one year prior to the anticipated graduation date. While all other degree requirements may have been met, no student is allowed to graduate unless the application has been filed appropriately. When instructed by email notification of the application open period, you must submit a degree application online via Banner Self-Service Apply to Graduate.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Students are subject to the degree requirements in effect at the time of acceptance into the program. To graduate, students must satisfy all stated curriculum requirements.
DEGREE EVALUATION
Candidates for graduation should review their DW Degree Evaluation on Banner Self-Service to ensure that all requirements are met. If there are any questions, please contact the Senior Associate Registrar or an academic advisor.
Pending graduates in the following degrees with any questions should contact Kevin Caffrey at 540-654-5864.
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Education (MEd)
- Master of Science in Education (MS)
- Bachelor of Nursing (BSN)
- Master of Science in Geospatial Analysis (MSGA)
Graduation FAQs
Q. What is the size of the diploma?
A. The diploma is 12 in. X 15 in. and is displayed landscape.
Q. How many hours are needed to complete the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree?
A. If you matriculate prior to Fall 2008, 122 hours minimum, are required, fulfilling all major and general education requirements. If you matriculate in Fall 2008 or later, you are required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours.
Q. I completed my major in Mathematics and a double major in History. Why can’t I get two different degrees from Mary Washington?
A. If both majors are completed prior to graduation , you could apply for either a B.A. or B.S. but not both degrees. Both majors are recorded on your transcript. In order to receive both a B.A. and a B. S. degree from UMW you will need to complete an additional 30 hours of coursework, including the general education and the major requirements in effect at the time you begin the pursuit of the second degree. You must contact the Office of Admissions to re-apply as a transfer student.
Q. I almost finished my second major before graduation. Can I come back after graduating to complete my second major?
A. Arrangements can be made in advance for you to return after graduating to complete your second major and have it recorded as a post-baccalaureate major on your transcript.
Q. Will my major be printed on my diploma?
A. No. Your diploma only has the actual degree printed on it, your major/s appear on your transcript.
Q. Can I walk with my class at graduation, even though I didn’t finish all my requirements by May?
A. All students who are on the pending list of degree candidates for the Baccalaureate degree as determined by the Office of the Registrar and who have completed all graduation requirements by the end of the spring semester other than one remaining course may participate in undergraduate Commencement exercises.
Students who finish in Summer or Fall prior to May are expected to participate in the ceremony. These students receive their diploma following their term of completion and all transcripts are brought up-to-date at that time. Any student who is unable to attend commencement should contact the Registrar’s Office by email and ask to graduate in absentia. Be sure to include your Banner ID and graduation term.
Q. I am graduating in a summer or fall term. Can I still participate in the Commencement ceremony?
A. We would love to have you and your family celebrate your accomplishments at the annual Commencement ceremony. Summer and fall graduates are invited to attend the ceremony held the following May. Full event details will be posted to the UMW Commencement webpage.
If you cannot attend the ceremony, please let us know by emailing us at registrar@umw.edu
Q. How and when will I get my diploma?
A. All graduates will receive their diploma within 6-8 weeks of degrees being awarded, and all diplomas will be mailed to the mailing address on record. It is your responsibility to make sure that your mailing address is up to date. Please check Banner Self-Service to verify that your address is correct. If it is not correct, you must complete an official Change of Address form, and return it to the Registrar’s Office. Updating your Off Campus address will NOT update your mailing address.
Q. Can I pick up my diploma after commencement?
A. No. Diplomas will be mailed to all graduates. Make sure you have a reliable mailing address on file in the Registrar’s Office so your diploma will get to you. Updating your Off Campus address will NOT update your mailing address. You can verify your address through Banner Self Service, but you have to submit the official Change of Address form to the Registrar’s Office.
Q. I have a hold on my account, will I still receive my diploma?
A. It is your responsibility to make sure that you graduate in good standing with no holds on your account that would prevent the release of your diploma or your transcripts. If you do not receive your diploma due to a hold, you have one year from graduation to clear your account and receive your diploma. After that grace period is over, you will have to follow the instructions for reordering a diploma.
Q. Is there a fee for missing Commencement?
A. Absolutely not. Word of this mysterious fee surfaces every year, but there is no fee.
Q. Will I graduate with honors?
A. If you have completed a minimum of 60 residential credits on which GPA can be calculated you are a candidate for honors. A GPA of 3.7500 or higher receives Summa Cum Laude, 3.5000 to 3.7499 receives Magna Cum Laude, and a GPA of 3.2500 to 3.4999 receives Cum Laude. Effective May 1997, students who have completed between 30 and 59 residential credits on which GPA can be calculated will be eligible for Distinction honors. Students attaining a 3.3000 GPA will receive Distinction and students with GPA’s of 3.7500 will get Highest Distinction. This is noted on your diploma and on your permanent record. The GPA for honors is calculated through the completion of the senior year. Graduate students are expected to maintain a high level of academic performance, and therefore no academic honors are bestowed upon graduation.
Q. What is the Darden Award?
A. The Colgate Darden Award is given to the undergraduate student with the highest GPA on a minimum of 94 UMW graded credit.
Q. What are Departmental Honors?
A. Many academic departments have programs in place to recognize exceptional work in the major or in another area. Departmental Honors may include an extensive research paper or project. Whatever type of work is required by the individual department, must be submitted to the library after honors have been awarded. In the middle of the Spring semester, each department will be solicited for potential candidates for honors. Departmental Honors are noted on the students permanent record and in the Commencement Program.