2009 Graduation and Commencement
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have a question about graduation or the 2009 Asia Commencement ceremonies? Here you can find answers to frequently asked questions. If you still have questions after reading the FAQs, please contact Graduation Services at ograduation@asia.umuc.edu.
1. How do I apply for graduation?
2. I want to apply for graduation, but my degree or certificate is not listed. Who should I contact?
3. When are the application deadlines for graduation, and what if I miss the deadline?
4. Is the application fee for a certificate the same as for a degree?
6. How do I check the status of my application?
7. How do I ensure that my diploma is mailed to the correct address?
8. If I apply for graduation and finish before the graduation date, can I get my diploma early?
9. Will my major/minor/certificate title/academic honors be displayed on my diploma?
10. What are the qualifications for Academic Honors?
1. What is the difference between graduation and Commencement?
2. Do I have to apply for Commencement?
4. Can I pay for my cap and gown rental fee with cash?
5. Who do I make my check or money order out to for the cap and gown rental fee?
6. How long will Commencement last?
7. How do I receive more information about Commencement?
8. How should I dress for Commencement?
9. May I bring children? Do children count in the number of guests I can bring?
10. Will graduates earning Academic Honors be recognized at Commencement?
11. May I participate in Commencement even though I am not graduating?
1. Who should I contact if I have been awarded a degree but I have not received my diploma?
2. Who should I contact for written verification of my completed degree?
Diplomas
1. How do I apply for graduation?
To be considered a candidate for graduation, you must complete an application
and pay the application fee. Graduation applications may only be submitted
online through the MyUMUC student portal. Follow
these instructions to submit your application:
- Log into MyUMUC
- Click on "MyAcademics"
- Click on "Graduation"
- Click on "Apply for Diploma/Certificate"
2. I want to apply for graduation, but my degree or certificate is not listed. Who should I contact?
Please contact your Academic Advisor:
- Guam and Kwajalein: aguam@asia.umuc.edu
- Korea: akorea@asia.umuc.edu
- Japan (excluding Okinawa), Australia, Singapore, and Thailand: japanadvisors@asia.umuc.edu
- Okinawa and students located elsewhere: aokinawa@asia.umuc.edu
3. When are the application deadlines for graduation, and what if I miss the deadline?
The application deadlines are:
- December graduation – October 1
- May graduation – February 15
- August graduation – June 15
If you miss the application deadline, you will need to apply for the next graduation.
4. Is the application fee for a certificate the same as for a degree?
Yes.
5. If I am applying for two degrees or a degree and a certificate, do I have to file two applications?
Yes, you must fill out a separate application for each degree and each certificate. The fee for each application is $50.00 and covers administrative reviews as well as certificate / diploma costs and shipping fees.
6. How do I check the status of my application?
Follow these instructions to check your application status:
- Log into MyUMUC
- Click "MyAcademics"
- Click "Graduation"
- Click "Graduation Application Status"
7. How do I ensure that my diploma will be mailed to the correct address?
Your diploma will be sent to the diploma mailing address you have listed in the MyUMUC portal. In the absence of a diploma mailing address, your diploma will be sent to your current mailing address on file. To verify / update your mailing address(es) log into MyUMUC > MyInfo > Contact Information > Address.
8. If I apply for graduation and finish before the graduation date, can I get my diploma early?
No, degrees cannot be conferred before the actual graduation date. If you need verification that you’ve completed all degree requirements prior to your degree being conferred, contact the Registrar’s Office at oregistrar@asia.umuc.edu for a letter of completion.
9. Will my major/minor/certificate title/academic honors be displayed on my diploma?
- Certificates: Program titles are listed
- Associate of Arts Diplomas: Areas of concentration are not listed; Academic Honors do not apply
- Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Diplomas for Bachelor’s Degrees completed under a Major/Minor Program: Majors are listed; Minors are not listed; Academic Honors are listed
- Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Diplomas for Bachelor’s Degrees completed under a Primary/Secondary Program: Primary and Secondary areas are not listed; Academic Honors are listed
10. What are the qualifications for Academic Honors?
Academic Honors for excellence in scholarship are determined by students' cumulative GPA at UMUC. Only Bachelor degree recipients are eligible for honors. The distinction of summa cum laude is conferred on students with a cumulative GPA of 4.000, magna cum laude honors are conferred on students with a cumulative GPA of 3.901 up to 3.999, and cum laude honors are conferred on students with a cumulative GPA of 3.800 up to 3.900. To be eligible for any of these categories of recognition, students must have earned at least 45 semester hours at UMUC in courses for which a letter grade and quality points were assigned. For honors to be conferred with a second bachelor's degree, students are required to have a total of 45 semester hours of new UMUC credit and the requisite GPA.
Diplomas are mailed approximately 8 weeks after degrees are conferred.
Commencement / Recognition
1. What is the difference between graduation and Commencement?
Graduation is the date your degree is awarded. UMUC confers degrees three times each year--May 30, August 30, and December 30. Commencement is a traditional recognition ceremony for students who have graduated. Commencement is held once a year in Asia with ceremonies in Tokyo, Okinawa, and Seoul. Your local base or education center may also hold a recognition ceremony.
2. Do I have to apply for Commencement?
No, but you must RSVP by March 20 to attend. Once you submit a graduation application and have paid the graduation application fee ($50), you will receive initial Commencement-related information. To RSVP, return the Commencement reply form along with the cap and gown rental fee ($40). Even if you do not plan to attend a Commencement ceremony, we request that you complete and return the Commencement reply form.
3. I am receiving more than one degree. Which regalia do I wear and will I walk to accept both degrees?
You’ll wear regalia corresponding to the highest degree you’ve earned and will walk to accept the highest degree you’ve earned. The Commencement Program will list both degrees.
4. Can I pay for my cap and gown rental fee with cash?
No, please send cap and gown rental fees ($40) via personal check, certified check, or money order.
5. Who do I make my check or money order out to for the cap and gown rental fee?
Please make it payable to UMUC Asia.
6. How long will Commencement last?
Students participating in Commencement ceremonies with UMUC Asia should be prepared for a full day of events to include a rehearsal, the Commencement ceremony, and a reception. Students participating in Commencement ceremonies must attend rehearsal. The anticipated length of rehearsal and Commencement is 4 hours but will vary by location.
7. How do I receive more information about Commencement?
Students who return their Commencement reply form along with the cap and gown rental fee will receive additional information regarding the Commencement ceremony they will attend. Updates will also be available from the Commencement web site.
8. How should I dress for Commencement?
Dark civilian suit is the appropriate dress for male graduates and dark
semi-formal dress is appropriate for female graduates. All graduates are
required to wear regalia.
9. May I bring children? Do children count in the number of guests I can bring?
Commencement is a formal occasion which represents an important milestone in the lives of graduates and their guests. No childcare is available at Commencement ceremonies. Children are welcome; however, if you have a child who becomes restless, please be considerate of others and remove the child from the area. Children over 10 years of age are counted in the number of guests.
10. Will students earning Academic Honors be recognized at Commencement?
Yes, by honor cords and by designation in the Commencement Program.
Honors are represented by the following cord colors:
- White cords – cum laude
- Blue cords – magna cum laude
- Gold cords – summa cum laude
11. May I participate in Commencement even though I am not graduating?
Prospective May 2009 and August 2009 graduates may participate in Commencement ceremonies if they have applied by the application deadline of February 28, 2009, and have no more than 9 credits of outstanding requirements.
12. Guam is not listed in the Commencement packet I received. How do I find out more about the ceremony?
Guam Recognition Day will be held on May 9, 2009. For more information, please contact Ms. Helen Webb at hwebb@asia.umuc.edu; Mrs. Karen Mata at kmata@asia.umuc.edu; or Ms. Sue Kim at shkim@asia.umuc.edu.
Contacts
1. Who should I contact if I have been awarded a certificate or degree but I have not received my certificate or diploma?
Contact Graduation Services at ograduation@asia.umuc.edu .
2. Who should I contact for written verification of my completed degree?
Contact the Registrar’s Office at oregistrar@asia.umuc.edu
3. I am a UMUC Europe or UMUC Stateside student. How do I participate in an Asia Commencement ceremony?
Request an initial Commencement information packet from ograduation@asia.umuc.edu. Graduation services will verify your graduation status with your home campus.