è Preparing
to Graduate: A Timetable
è Requirements
for earning a degree at Hope College
è Frequently
Asked Questions about graduation and earning a degree
è Apply
on-line here.
q Important
information is mailed to you at your CURRENT (local) address. Please
make sure you get this information by checking that your CURRENT
address is accurate. Your current address is listed on your KnowHopePlus account
under "Personal Information." Report any corrections to the Registrar's
Office.
q Check
your on-line Degree Evaluation on KnowHopePlus (directions at http://www.hope.edu/admin/registrar/CAPP/CAPP-Main.html)
to identify any missing requirements for general education, major,
or minor. Also check to see that your majors and minors are accurate. Report
any corrections to the Registrar's Office.
Preparing
to Graduate: A Timetable
| September |
"Applications
to Graduate" sent via Hope College
e-mail to degree-seeking students who have earned 66 or
more credits. |
| October |
"Applications
to Graduate" due in the Registrar's
Office; consult earlier mail for exact date. |
| November |
Potential December graduates who are missing
graduation requirements notified via HOPE e-mail. |
| December |
Luncheon for December graduates (contact Provost's
Office for details).
December grads and students who will be on an off-campus
program in spring semester and
plan to participate in the May Commencement ceremony
should come to the Registrar's Office to complete graduation
materials before they leave for Christmas Break.
|
| January |
Graduation packets with ceremony information
and reservations mailed to current address of students who applied
to graduate and indicated that they would
participate in the May Commencement ceremony; materials are returned
during Senior Days in February. |
| February |
Senior Days in
DeWitt Lounge early in the month (see graduation packet for exact
dates)-final verification of graduation plans, ticket, cap &
gown ordering. |
| March |
Deadline for
indicating participation in graduation ceremony. Potential
May & July graduates who are missing graduation requirements
notified via HOPE e-mail.
Deadline for
indicating participation in graduation ceremony.
|
| April/May |
Pick up caps & gowns and commencement
and baccalaureate tickets (see graduation packet for exact
date).
Commencement rehearsal-see graduation packet for
exact date-mandatory for
ceremony participants.
|
Questions? E-mail Gloria Shay, Shay@Hope.edu, or
come to the Registrar's Office.
Click
here for all the dates and
times for the events of Commencement weekend
Requirements
for Earning a Degree
- Earn at least 126 credits-no
exceptions
- Have a minimum grade point average
(GPA) of 2.00 over-all AND 2.00 in all majors. Some programs
and majors require a higher GPA-check with your department or
the college Catalog
- Declare at least one major and
complete all its requirements
- Complete all requirements
for general education
- Have no grades of incomplete
("I") or no report ("NR") on your transcript
- Complete and submit to the Registrar's
Office an "Application to Graduate"
Frequently
Asked Questions about Graduation
- What
is an "Application to Graduate?"
An "Application to Graduate" is a
form found on the Registrar's Office webpage and let's us know
that you plan to graduate (complete your degree requirements). In
September, you may submit the form electronically.
- How do
I determine whether to apply as a May, July, or December graduate?
If you will complete your final degree
requirements at the end of a Spring Semester, you should apply
as a May graduate.
If you will complete your final degree
requirements at the end of a May, June, or July term, you should
apply as a July graduate.
If you will complete your final degree
requirements at the end of a Fall Semester, you should apply
as a December graduate.
If you're not positive about what
term you'll complete your final degree requirements, select your "best
guess" and notify the Registrar's Office of any change.
- How many commencement
ceremonies does Hope College have?
Hope has one ceremony only-in May. Students
who are completing their final requirements anytime from the
previous to the next December may participate in the May Commencement
ceremony.
- Who gets
to walk at Commencement?
Students may participate in only one
Commencement ceremony; their names may appear in only one Commencement
program.
Students planning to complete their
degree requirements in the December before or the December after
a May ceremony may participate in one ceremony of their choice.
They should indicate this on their "Application to Graduate."
- Some of my general education
requirements on my degree evaluation are marked "not met." I
want to request a substitution or waiver. How should I do
this?
To request a waiver or substitution
of a general education requirement, pick up a form in the Registrar's
Office or on its webpage. You'll need to provide a brief rationale
(reason) for your request and get your advisor's approval. Return
the completed form to the Registrar's Office; the registrar will
notify you
and your advisor whether he has approved or denied your request.
- Some of the requirements
for my major or minor are marked on my degree evaluation "not
met." I have oral approval for substitutions OR I want to
request a substitution or waiver. What should I do so my on-line
degree evaluation is accurate?
It's very important that your on-line
degree evaluation is accurate. To get approval for a waiver
or substitution of a major or minor requirement, you'll need
the WRITTEN approval of the department chairperson; forms are
available in the Registrar's Office or its webpage.
When that form is returned to the
Registrar's Office, we'll update your evaluation.
If you have questions about requirements
for your majors or minors, work with your department advisor
or chair.
- I've
decided not to complete a major or minor that I previously
declared. What should I do?
You should undeclare any
major or minor you've decided not to complete. Use the same
form you used to declare the major or minor; forms are available
in the Registrar's Office.
If you've completed an "Application
to Graduate" and are revising what you submitted, it's very important
that you notify Gloria Shay in the Registrar's Office: Shay@Hope.edu
- I have two majors. What
do I need to earn two degrees?
1. Completion of at least 156 credits (30 credits beyond 126)
2. Completion of at least two majors
3. Completion of two different degrees. For example, a BA with a
major in philosophy and a BS with a major in chemistry; or a
BA with a major in psychology and a BSN (bachelor of science
in nursing); or a BMU with a major in vocal performance and a
BA with a major in theatre. It's possible to have earned 156
credits and have two majors, but not complete two different degrees.
4. Completion of all general education requirements for both degrees.
5.
It's also possible to complete two majors, one degree, and 126
credits.
Questions? Contact the Registrar's Office.
- What if I change my mind
about taking part in the Commencement ceremony?
You must notify Gloria Shay in the
Registrar's Office: Shay@Hope.edu Changes to the Commencement program may not
be possible after March 1.
- What
if I change my mind about when I will complete all the requirements
for graduation?
You must notify Gloria Shay in the
Registrar's Office: Shay@Hope.edu
- Why
does it take so long to get my diploma? Where will it be sent?
Most students who complete all their
degree requirements in Spring Semester will receive their diplomas
in late July. If grades are late or there are other problems,
there will be delays. Diplomas are not mailed if students have
a financial hold.
Grades for Spring Semester classes
are due after the Commencement ceremony. Graduation honors are
determined by your cumulative GPA and are added when your diploma
is ordered. Each diploma is checked for accuracy-all this takes
time!
Your diploma will be mailed to your
PERMANENT address. Check your KnowHopePlus account under "Personal Information" to see
your current (local) and permanent addresses. If either is inaccurate,
please come to the Registrar's Office. We're not able to accept
changes made over the telephone: to protect the confidentiality
of your records, we must have your signature.
- If I
participate in the Commencement ceremony, have I been approved
to graduate?
No.
Participating in the Commencement
ceremony is NOT the same thing as completing the requirements
for your degree. Unfortunately, students sometimes participate
in the Commencement ceremony, but do not earn a degree from Hope College.
- How
will I know that I have officially graduated and that my degree
from Hope College has been awarded?
You can check your on-line academic
transcript in your KnowHopePlus account.
If your degree has been awarded (completed),
the degree awarded, degree date, any institutional honors (see
below), and majors and minors will be listed near the top of
your on-line academic transcript.
OR...
You can order a transcript http://www.hope.edu/admin/registrar/transcripts/ and
request that it be mailed to you after your degree has been posted
(awarded). When your degree has been awarded, we'll mail your
transcript to you. An official transcript (not your diploma)
is the way you notify graduate and professional schools, employers,
and yourself that you have earned a degree from Hope College-CONGRATULATIONS!
- What
does it take to graduate with honors? Will my honors be included
in the graduation program?
Graduation honors are NOT listed in
the Commencement program-honors are based on your cumulative
grade point average, and grades for Spring Semester are due after
Commencement.
To graduate "Cum Laude," your cumulative
(over-all) grade point average must be between 3.30 and 3.59
To graduate "Magna cum Laude," your
cumulative (over-all) grade point average must be between 3.60
and 3.86
To graduate" Summa cum Laude," your
cumulative (over-all) grade point average must be between 3.87
and 4.00
These honors will be included on your on-line Academic
Transcript (found in your KnowHopePlus account),
on your diploma, and on copies of your official transcript.
The gradepoint averages for graduation honors will
be changing with the class of 2009. The change will take effect beginning
with the December, 2008 graduates. |
