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.
GRADUATION
TIMETABLE: YOUR SENIOR YEAR CALENDAR
| September |
After the drop/add date, an "Application
to Graduate" notice is sent via
Hope College e-mail to degree-seeking students who have
earned
66 or
more credits. |
| October |
"Application
to Graduate" must be submitted
electronically; consult earlier mail for exact date. |
| November |
Applied December graduates who are missing
graduation requirements notified via HOPE e-mail. |
| December |
Luncheon for applied December graduates and their parents (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 during exam week
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 commencement ceremony. Potential
May & July graduates who are missing graduation requirements
notified via HOPE e-mail.
|
| 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 semester
credits-no exceptions
- Earn 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,
the college Catalog, or your degree evaluation.
- 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
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 each May. Students
who are completing their final requirements anytime from the
previous December to the next December may participate in the May
Commencement ceremony.
- Who is
eligible for the Commencement Ceremony?
Students may participate in only one
Commencement ceremony; their names may appear in only one Commencement
program.
December
grads may choose the ceremony before or after they graduate, but
only one.
- 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?
Use the General
Education Waiver/Substitution Form available 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?
Use the Major/Minor
Substitution/Waiver Form available in the Registrar's Office
or on its webpage. To
get approval for a waiver or substitution of a major or minor requirement,
you'll
need
the WRITTEN approval of the department chairperson.
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 must 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 and its webpage.
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 more common to complete two majors, one degree, and 126
credits.
Questions? Contact Gloria Shay in the Registrar's
Office. Shay@Hope.edu
- 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 15.
- 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
- When
will I 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 May. If grades are late or there are other problems,
there will be delays. Diplomas are not mailed if students have
a hold with Business Services.
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.
After
you leave Hope, you can change your address on your alumni myhope
page.
- If I
participate in the Commencement ceremony, have I been approved
to graduate?
No. Graduation means finishing all
your degree requirements. The ceremony is just a celebration.
- 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 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 commencement 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 3.50 and 3.69
To graduate "Magna cum Laude," your
cumulative (over-all) grade point average must be between 3.70
and 3.89
To graduate" Summa cum Laude," your
cumulative (over-all) grade point average must be between 3.90
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.
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