Graduation Information

Attention Applicants for Graduation:
The following information is for your benefit and understanding of what is required of you as you approach the end of your goal for a Belhaven University degree.

• Graduation Dates
• Graduation Application Deadlines
• Requirements for Graduation
• Application Process
• Honors Calculation
• Ceremony Participation
• Diplomas
• Transcripts
• Application for Degree - online over a secure server
  • Graduation Employment Survey - Orlando Campus Students only
• Download these Graduation Guidelines in printer-friendly format (PDF)

If you need additional assistance, please e-mail the Registrar's Office at registrar@belhaven.edu

Graduation Dates:

• Apr. 19, 2012, Thurs. Commencement for Houston campus
• Apr. 26, 2012, Thurs. Commencement for Memphis Campus
• April 28, 2012, Sat. Commencement for May and Aug. graduates, Jackson, MS

 

Graduation Application Deadlines:

Feb. 10, 2012, Fri. - Application deadline for August 2012 Graduation
(Traditional, Graduate, Virtual, Adult Studies)

Apr. 13, 2012, Fri.- Application deadline for December 2012 Graduation
(Traditional, Graduate, Virtual, Adult Studies)

****Please note that you should apply for the term that you complete your requirements – not the ceremony you wish to participate in.

Ex.  If you complete your final course in July, but qualify to walk in one of the May ceremonies, apply by the August 2011 application deadline, but indicate that you want to participate in the May ceremony.

 

Requirements for Graduation:

PLEASE REFER TO CATALOGUE.

Of Note:

• Minimum of 124 hours for degree
• GPA requirement (both overall and in the major)
• Transfer credits

 

Application Process

• All students, all campuses apply online and pay online
  • Student applies online
  • Pay graduation fee at time of application
  • Give cap/gown sizes at time of online application (application must be complete)
• Payment goes to the Belhaven Business Office
• Application goes to the Registrar's Office
• All application deadlines as stated in academic calendar enforced
  • Eliminate all last minute applicants
  • After deadlines, students may apply but not participate in graduation until next available ceremony
    • Degree audits must be updated
    • Caps/gowns must be ordered
    • Checkout must be completed
    • Honors must be calculated
• DOSS/COSS notifies potential graduates of deadlines to apply for graduation

 

Honors Calculation:

Honors are awarded only to bachelor degree seeking students.

• Calculated after all final grades are posted for bachelor's degree students
• Calculated/Awarded according to Belhaven cumulative quality points
• Will be announced only at the time of the graduation ceremony lineup

Graduation "With Honors":

• A minimum of 45 academic hours carrying quality points at Belhaven
• A minimum of 3.4 GPA at Belhaven

Graduation with Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude:

• A minimum of 60 academic hours carrying quality point at Belhaven
• Cum Laude – a minimum of 3.4 GPA at Belhaven
• Magna Cum Laude – a minimum of 3.7 GPA at Belhaven
• Summa Cum Laude – a minimum of 3.9 GPA at Belhaven

 

Ceremony Participation

• Students who have completed all requirements, have no debts with the college and have been checked out as final prior to the graduation ceremony date
  • May have honors recognition
  • Will have degree conferred
  • Will pick up diploma at graduation ceremony
• Students completing requirements within the month of graduation but not before the graduation ceremony
  • Will not be recognized for honors
  • May participate in next available ceremony if they want honors recognition  (but may participate in only one ceremony)
  • Will receive honor cord after degree is completed
  • Will receive diploma after degree is completed
• Students completing requirements for August graduation may participate according to the guidelines for ceremony participation and recognition either in the May ceremony just prior to their August graduation completion or the December graduation ceremony following the completion of their August degree requirements
• Students from any of the distance campuses may participate in the Jackson ceremony
• Students may participate in only one graduation ceremony per degree (i.e. Associates, Bachelors, Masters)
• Ceremony program
  • Students may be listed in only one program
  • Students not completing requirements and not participating in the ceremony may walk in the next available ceremony upon completion of degree requirements
• Students owing a balance to Belhaven University or to IPD accounting
  • Degree will not be posted on transcript until balance is paid
  • Will receive diploma upon payment of balance

 

Diplomas

• Diplomas are not mailed to graduates.  Graduates walking in the commencement ceremony will pick up their diplomas following the ceremony.
• Diplomas are available for pickup in Registrar's office for all Jackson students and in the Office of the Director of Student Services for all distance campuses

Transcripts

• Degrees will be posted to transcripts upon completion of all degree requirements according to the following schedule:
  • December graduates: no later than the first work week after Christmas break
  • May graduates – no later than the end of the week following the ceremony
  • August graduates – no later than the end of the week following the August grad date
• Students must request transcripts.