By Loren Germann-McClain
Senior Academic Advisor II, School of STEM
The road to graduation may have seemed long, but you’re finally approaching the end of your academic journey. It’s now time to get ready for your next step, whether that’s seeking another degree, searching for an opportunity in a new career field or continuing in your current job.
However, there are a few more things to think about when you are near the end of your academic program and ready for graduation. Here are three questions to consider when you have reached senior standing by completing 90 or more semester hours.
Related link: How to Choose the Right Academic Program for Your Goals
#1: When Should I Apply for Graduation?
You should apply for graduation when you have finished 90% of your undergraduate program (108 semester hours posted in your ecampus school record) or 85% of your graduate program (29-34 semester hours posted in your ecampus school record). To find your graduation application, look for the link under the “Forms” menu in your ecampus. It will provide information about the application process and the application fee.
You must ask for your graduation application at least 60 days before your projected conferral date. The University confers degrees on February 1, April 1, June 1, August 1, October 1 and December 1; certificates are awarded on the first day of each month.
Be sure to select a projected conferral date that is a minimum of nine calendar days after your last course’s end date, in order to accommodate the instructor’s period for a final grade. An instructor typically has eight days to post your final grade after the end of your class. Also, be aware that an instructor cannot post a final grade for you before the course’s end date.
If you are unsure of which conferral date to select, reach out to your Academic Advising team. They will be happy to discuss which conferral date best meets your goals and fits your program deadline.
If you need more information on the graduation process, be sure to review the Student Handbook.
There is a big difference between Commencement and conferral. Conferral is the date that the university officially awards your degree, and that date will appear on your diploma or certificate. In some cases, you may complete your degree requirements before your degree is officially awarded, for reasons such as outstanding financial obligations, outstanding grade appeals or the conferral schedules.
Commencement is the physical ceremony that takes place each year. For our University, that ceremony is typically held in May or June.
#2: What Is Commencement?
Once you’ve finished the classes for your degree, it’s time to celebrate your achievement! You have the option of planning your own celebration at home or attending our annual commencement. Be sure to review our Commencement webpage in the fall of the preceding year to learn important information about attending the festivities. If you cannot attend Commencement in person, the University also provides a live stream of Commencement ceremonies.
Whether you attend Commencement or not, we are proud of you and your accomplishments. We hope that you will take time to celebrate this important milestone in your life! Make sure you take time to celebrate – plan a party, travel somewhere you’ve never been or try that new restaurant you’ve been wanting to visit.
#3: What Is the Next Step?
Once you have your degree in hand, it’s time to develop a plan to meet your next academic or career goal. Moving from your undergraduate academic journey to a new goal can seem a little daunting, but the university has various departments to support you, even after graduation.
Thinking about starting a new degree? Speak with an Academic Advisor to see what your next steps are toward earning a new degree.
One thing you will need before starting a new academic program is a Final Clearance Date (FCD) for your previous program. The FCD must be posted to your graduation status from your current program before Academic Advising can enroll you into the next program (such as from a bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree). The FCD also ensures that the degree you earned will not be forgone by changing academic programs.
You can view your graduation status by following these steps:
- Login to your ecampus.
- Choose “STUDENT SERVICES”at the top of the ecampus homepage.
- Find the “Graduation” menu on the right-hand side of your screen and select “Graduation Status.”
When your FCD is posted to your account, you can then enroll in a new program. To enroll in a new program, please complete the following steps:
- Login to your ecampus.
- Find “ACADEMIC PLAN & FORMS” at the top of the ecampus homepage.
- Navigate to “UNIVERSITY FORMS.” Choose “Degree Change Form,” go through the required steps and submit the form once it’s complete.
If you are interested in entering the workforce or changing careers, consider talking with our Career Services Department. Still not sure what path you want to take? A Career Exploration Specialist will help you narrow down your career options and even help you find out what jobs would be a good fit for you, based on your prior experience and skillset, interests, and degree program.
For those who have a career path in mind, our industry-aligned Career Coaches can assist you as you research companies and apply to positions. Personalized, one-on-one sessions are available at no cost to our current students and alumni who need support with:
- Resume reviews
- Interview preparation
- Social media reviews
- Career-related questions
Related link: Preparing for Career Success Following College Graduation
No question is too big or small for Academic Advising or Career Services, so do not hesitate to reach out at any time. You have a strong support system here at the University,
and we are dedicated to helping you achieve your educational and career goals.
Congratulations on nearing program completion and great job on all the hard work you have done up to this moment. Remember, no matter where your next step in life takes you, we will always be here ready to help you.
About the Author
Loren Germann-McClain is currently in her third year as a Senior Academic Advisor II with the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). She holds an M.A. in English – Rhetoric and Composition from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, as well as an M.A. in English Literature from Southern New Hampshire University.
Loren previously worked in human resources and public relations at a public library in Indiana, where she helped develop a project to bring mental health first aid and awareness to public and academic libraries across the state. She has earned grants to help develop coding programs for school-age children and develop free, extracurricular activities to help align with the Indiana State standards for computer science, technology, and coding. Her work has helped empower Hoosier students to be equipped with the critical and computational problem-solving skills they will need in order to succeed in a digitally powered and ever-evolving world.
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