Applying to Graduate

When to Apply to Graduate

Students should apply to graduate for a degree at least one semester prior to their graduating term. Students should apply to graduate with a certificate the semester before their graduating term for a two-semester certificate program or within the first week of a one-semester certificate program. 

Applying by the priority deadline allows your advisor time to complete a preliminary graduation audit before your final semester begins. The preliminary audit lets you know whether there are additional course requirements for your degree prior to registration closing.

Students applying to graduate after the priority deadline must submit their Graduation Plan no later than the final deadline in order to be considered for the term of application. Applications received after the final deadline will be filed for the following term. Applicants must review all graduation requirements in the appropriate College Catalog for their program, check progress using DegreeWorks in the online student portal, and work closely with their advisor to ensure that all requirements will be met in their anticipated graduation term.

How to Apply to Graduate

• Make an appointment with an advisor to review your credits and degree/certificate program requirements.
• Your advisor will then start the electronic graduation application and send it to your student email account for your review/electronic signature.
• Once you sign, the graduation application automatically routes to the Records & Registration office for processing. Students will receive an email to their student email account confirming that the application has been received.

What to Do After You Apply

Applicants should follow their progress toward completion of their applied program using the DegreeWorks audit in the My Vol State portal. All graduation exit exams should be completed by the end of the graduating term. Applicants must regularly check their student email account for information from the Graduation Analyst regarding graduation requirements and Commencement deadlines.

Updating Your Graduation Record

After the Graduation Plan has been submitted, a student MUST complete and submit an Update Graduation Record Form in the Office of Records & Registration in order to change their major/program, anticipated graduation term/year, or catalog year.

Graduation Verification

Once grades are posted at the end of every term the graduation staff will verify graduation requirements for each applicant and individually award degrees/certificates. Graduates will be notified via email once their credential is awarded. The email will include instructions on how to request an official transcript and details regarding diplomas. If you need verification of graduation for an employer or transfer institution once grades are posted at the end of the graduating term and prior to receiving the email notification, contact graduation@volstate.edu.