College of Community & Public Service Advising Center
Graduation Information
Graduation vs. Commencement
There is often confusion that the two terms mean the same thing...they don't. Graduation is the completion of all of your degree requirements...including internships, incomplete grades, or any of those "little" things that you are going to "finish up". You will not be able to earn your degree (or graduate) until all of those things are completed.
However you are able to walk in the commencement ceremony appropriate for the semester if you have submitted a graduation application for the term you will complete your requirements. Here's the breakdown:
Graduate in April and Commence in April - circle Winter
Graduate in August and Commence in April - circle Summer
Graduate in December and Commence in December - circle Fall
Graduate in April and Commence in December - circle Winter and seek Dean of Students approval to commence early
Commencement Cermony Information is released by the Dean of Students Office at www.gvsu.edu/commencement
Applying for Graduation
Here's the Form that must be submitted to the records windows located in the Student Services Building in Allendale or the DeVos Center Plaza Windows in Grand Rapids, or any regional campus location.
Students who believe they are ready to graduate should apply for graduation upon REGISTERING for the final course requirements. This will allow the most time for a graduation audit to be processed and a student notified of any deficiencies. This could be as far as a year in advance. However, you should also be reviewing your own records to ensure that your requirements are met after registering for courses.
The application for degree MUST be submitted before the first week of the semester the student intends to graduate. If you are applying for August graduation you should submit your application by February to be included in the April/May commencement ceremony.
Check out this Presentation designed to answer questions about this process. You may also wish to check in with the CCPS Undergraduate Advising Center to review your requirements and ensure you are on track to graduate.
Page last modified September 27, 2011
