Graduation: student checklist

Graduation: student checklist

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable convocation ceremony for you and your guests, please make certain you complete the following tasks by the appropriate deadlines. If you intend to graduate but will not be attending your ceremony, there are still tasks that must be completed to finalize your graduation.

Confirm your eligibility to graduate

• Check that you have all of the coursework with the required averages (if applicable).
• If you’re not sure, confirm course requirements with your Advisement Report Student Center > My Academics > Academic Requirements in Mosaic or contact your Faculty Academic Advisor.
• In the case of Graduate Students (Master’s and Ph.D.), visit Degree Completion for more information.
• Be sure to check your Student Center tab> My Academics > Graduation Status.   
  • Until final grades and academic standing are reviewed, your status will read ‘Eligible’. In the fall, your status will change to one of Approved, Denied or Withdrawn. For questions regarding your status, please contact your Faculty office.

Step 1: Apply to Graduate – through Mosaic

• Students planning to graduate in Spring 2019 should visit Student Center > My Academics to apply to graduate.
  
• If a status of ‘Eligible’ appears on this step, your Faculty has already begun the assessment process and you are not required to apply.

Step 2: Check your name in Mosaic

• Your diploma will be printed with the name McMaster has on record for you. Please check your name in Mosaic (Student Center > Personal Information > Names > Primary Name) .
• Notify the Office of the Registrar if the name on your diploma should appear differently than it appears in Mosaic.
• Should you require a name change or spelling correction, please visit the Name Change section of our website for details.
• Deadline to complete a name change request (to ensure it is printed correctly in the ceremony program): Friday, April 12, 2019 for Health Sciences grads (including Nursing) and Tuesday, May 14, 2019 for all other grads.

Step 3: Complete your profile in the Graduation Information Centre (GIC)

• RSVP as soon as possible! Deadline to complete your profile in the GIC: Monday, May 6, 2019 for Health Sciences grads (including Nursing) and Friday, May 24, 2019 for all other grads.
• The GIC notifies the Office of the Registrar of key information about your expected graduation, including the degree and program you expect to graduate from.
• This online form must be completed if you intend to graduate from McMaster; it confirms whether you plan to attend your ceremony. Please note there may be fees associated with graduation depending on whether or not you decide to attend your ceremony.
• Should you wish to have your diploma mailed to you instead of attending the ceremony, please note that the Graduation Information Centre offers diploma mailing through Canada Post at a standard fee of $25.00. To avoid delays or misdirected diplomas, diplomas sent internationally must be sent via FedEx. FedEx is the only service to provide a tracking number for international mailing. You can select this option through the GIC, please note that FedEx rates will apply.

Step 4: Apply for a Minor or Certificate

• Minor – You can apply for your minor in the online Minor/Certificate Application Centre. For more information about minors please see the Undergraduate Calendar. Deadline to apply for a minor: Monday, May 6, 2019 for Health Sciences grads (including Nursing) and Friday, May 10, 2019 for all other grads.
• McMaster Mohawk Affiliated Certificate – Faculty of Social Sciences – If you have completed the requirements for the McMaster Mohawk Affiliated Certificate and are preparing to graduate, you can apply  in the Minor/Certificate Application Centre by the above deadline.

Step 5: Check your student account: ensure all fees have been paid

• Visit Mosaic to view your student account (Finances > Account Inquiry)
• If you have any questions regarding your student account, visit the Student Accounts & Cashiers website or contact their office.
• Upon graduation, your diploma will not be released until all outstanding fees have been cleared.

Step 6: Verify the date and time of your ceremony

• Convocation dates can be found on the Convocation Dates page. Be sure to check the breakdown of the degrees conferred during each ceremony noted on this page.

Step 7: Complete the Convocation Accessibility Form – for graduands or guests with disabilities

• Graduands or guests with disabilities attending convocation are asked to complete the online Convocation accessibility form at least two weeks before the convocation ceremony. The Office of the Registrar will follow-up with further information.
• For additional information about accessibility at convocation, please contact the Convocation accessibility phone line at (905) 525-9140 ext. 21676, or e-mail at convo.accessibility@mcmaster.ca.

Step 8: Share the details with your guests

• Share the time, date, location, along with any other information you think is important for your friends and family to know.