PREPARING TO GRADUATE

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS APPROACHING SENIOR STATUS (90 UNITS)

 Review your Humboldt catalog—particularly the Planning your Degree:  Bachelor’s section and the pages that summarize your major program.  Plan your final semesters educated about all requirements as you take the following steps. 

Take the Graduation Writing Proficiency Examination (GWPE)--This is given once each fall semester and twice each spring semester.  All candidates for the bachelor’s degree must complete this requirement, which consists of two essays, one based on personal experience, the other analytical.  You are eligible to take the GWPE after you’ve completed the lower division GE written communication requirement (English 100 at HSU), and have reached junior standing.   You should take it as soon as you are eligible.  Contact the Testing Center for test and registration dates and visit the following website: www.humboldt.edu/~english/gwpe.html.

 Complete a major contract—if you have not already done so, make an appointment with your advisor to complete a major contract.  This is a contract listing all of your major requirements.  It is signed by you, your advisor, and your major department chair or program director.  The original is sent to the Academic Information and Referral Center directly from your department, or you submit it directly, along with your Application for Graduation.

Complete a minor contract (optional)—Minors are not required (except as a component within a few majors) for graduation, but if you are pursuing a minor, check the catalog and with the department chair that sponsors the minor for advising and a minor contract when appropriate.  The description of the minor program in the catalog will indicate whether or not an individual contract is required. 

 Submit an Application for Graduation—Degree Audit Request.  These are available in the Academic Information & Referral (AIR) Center, SBS 133.  Once you have the form filled out you take it to Student Financial Services (SBS 2nd floor) to pay the $53 graduation fee, then return it, along with your approved major contract if it hasn’t already been sent by your department, to AIR.   Once you have submitted your Application for Graduation along with your contract a Degree Audit will be prepared and emailed to both you and your advisor.  It can take from two to six weeks to have your Degree Audit prepared and sent to you, so it’s helpful to request it early.  You can apply for graduation any time after you’ve reached junior standing (60 units) but definitely should apply at least two terms before your expected date of graduation to ensure adequate planning for the final term(s) of enrollment.

 Review your Degree Audit Carefully—It contains essential and important information!!  It summarizes your academic history, and lets you know what requirements remain to be met.  It is accompanied by a letter of explanation.  Read the letter, review the degree audit, and if you have any questions, come by the AIR Center.  Staff at the AIR Center will be happy to set an appointment with a graduation counselor go over your Degree Audit and answer any questions yo u may have.  You may be refered to your major advisor if a contract revision or petition is warranted.  Not reviewing a Degree Audit carefully is the most common reason for unexpected complications with graduation!  Don’t let this happen to you!!

 Check out the Commencement Information on the Web—Commencement is held once a year, on a Saturday in May at the end of the spring semester.   Anyone who graduated within the academic year before Commencement (i.e. at the end of the preceding summer and fall terms) is listed in the commencement bulletin, as well as all candidates for spring graduation.  The commencement website contains all sorts of important details for you and your family and friends who plan to celebrate your achievement with you!

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THESE STEPS, STOP BY THE ADVISING CENTER - SBS 295.  WE’RE GLAD TO HELP!

 

Updated: June, 2008