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Congratulations!
This is an important accomplishment in your life. You have just a few more steps to go before attending commencement in May. You are strongly encouraged to go to this special celebration.
You can apply to graduate at one of three times per year -- May, August, or December.
There is NO FEE to graduate! Once you apply to graduate, you will automatically receive information on commencement exercises the following or preceding May.
Step 1: Check with your faculty advisor to make sure that you are ready to graduate.
Step 2: Complete an Application for Degree Form. These forms are located in the Registrar's Office in Corthell Hall (Gorham), Admissions and Advising Office in 128 School Street (Gorham) or the Enrollment Services Center in 119 Payson Smith Hall (Portland) and online at:
http://www.usm.maine.edu/~reg/applicationfordegree.pdf
Step 3: Return the completed form to the Registrar's Office in Corthell Hall (Gorham) or the Enrollment Services Center in 119 Payson Smith Hall (Portland). For May or August graduation, submit the form by February 11 for inclusion on the printed graduation program. You can submit after February 11 but with no guarantee of inclusion on the program.
[The remainder of the steps are not your responsibility. They are outlined to give you a better understanding of what is involved in the graduation process.
Step 4: The Registrar's Office sends a graduation certification (a.k.a. "grad cert") to Kim Warren (kwarren@usm.maine.edu). Your grad cert is reviewed to make sure all degree requirements have been met.
Step 5: The grad cert is sent to your faculty advisor for review. Your faculty advisor reviews your grad cert, signs it, and sends it to returns it to Kim Warren
Step 6: After ALL degree requirements have been met, the grad cert is returned to the Registrar's Office and you graduate. Depending on the time of year, this can take a few days. The Registrar's Office sends you an official transcript and your diploma.
May Graduation
The commencement ceremony occurs in May only. The Application for Degree Form should be submitted no later than the end of February to insure that you receive all relevant ceremony information in a timely manner and to insure inclusion in the commencement program booklet. You can apply for graduation in May even if you are missing up to six credits (excluding incomplete courses). Your conferred degree date actually changes to reflect the semester in which the credits were taken and completed.
August Graduation
August graduation is for students who complete their cousework in the summer session. Because graduation is done in batches and is computerized, August graduates don't receive their diploma until the end of August. If you are in a RUSH to get verification of your degree because of salary increases, certification, or licensure, please contact Pat Mew (780-5413 or pmew@usm.maine.edu) for a special letter.
December Graduation
December graduation is for students who complete their coursework in the fall semester.
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