Commencement

Students who have completed all degree requirements will be invited to participant in commencement exercises.

At commencement, the University community, family and friends recognize students who have completed, or who are nearing the completion of, their degree programs. The University holds formal commencement ceremonies each year at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters.  Students who are expected to complete all degree requirements during the Fall semester are eligible to participate in the December commencement ceremony. Students who are expected to complete all degree requirements during the Spring or Summer semesters are eligible to participate in the May commencement ceremony.

Students who are unable to attend the ceremony of their expected semester of graduation may participate in a later commencement ceremony;  students may not participate in commencement ceremonies earlier than their anticipated graduation term. Most students take part in commencement, but participating is not required in order to graduate.

Participation in the commencement ceremony does not imply that a student's degree will be awarded. 

Graduation is the process of verifying that students have completed all degree requirements and formally posting the degree to students' records. To be eligible for graduation, candidates are required to apply for graduation by the deadline and to complete all requirements by the last day of the term in which it will be conferred.

Diplomas are mailed following graduation. Graduating students are responsible for maintaining a current mailing address with the Registrar's Office. Georgia College reserves the right to withhold a diploma and refuse to forward transcripts for any student who has an unsatisfactory conduct record or who is in financial arrears to the university.