University of Guelph

1996-97 Undergraduate Calendar

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VIII--Regulations and Procedures


Graduation

Conditions For Graduation

The conditions for graduation are regulated by the degree programs. Program specific conditions for graduation are outlined in Section IX - Undergraduate Degree Programs.

Calendar

Students must satisfy the schedule of studies requirements for the calendar in effect at the time of their last admission to the program or at the time of any subsequent change in the following declared specializations: specialized honours, majors, or areas of concentration. Where students select minors or areas of emphasis, the calendar used to determine the schedule of studies is the same as the calendar used for the major. Changes in minors or areas of emphasis do not necessarily affect the calendar used to determine the schedule of studies. Students may declare a schedule of studies from an alternate calendar if program approval is obtained.

Time Limitations

Students, regardless of program, who do not register in their program of studies for 6 or more consecutive semesters are required to apply for readmission. Students who are studying on exchange programs, study abroad, or work terms are considered to be registered at the University.

Academic Residence Requirements

  1. At least 10 of the courses required for graduation by the student's program must be taken at the University of Guelph.
  2. At least 60% of the 300 and 400 level courses required for graduation in the student's schedule of studies must be taken at the University of Guelph.

University of Guelph courses include courses taken on exchange and on study abroad programs. Letter of permission courses are not included.

Standing on Graduation

Standing on graduation is noted only for graduates from the honours programs as follows:

Standing on graduation is based on the average of the marks received for those courses completed after admission to the program and grades received from internal and external transfer credits that are granted to the program at the time of admission.

Granting of Baccalaureate

A student normally must be registered in the program for the degree being awarded. However, a student registered in an honours program, may apply to graduate from a general program in the same degree or a different degree, provided that all of the conditions for graduation for that degree have been satisfied using the calendar that is in effect at the time of application.

Specializations

In order for a student to graduate with a specialization in a program, the specialization must be completed as listed in the calendar specified for graduation.

Second Degrees

Students from the University of Guelph or from another university may graduate with a second undergraduate degree from the University of Guelph. If they have graduated with their first degree, they must apply for admission to the program for their second degree. However, only 20 credits may be transferred from the initial degree program. The course content of the second degree program must be substantially different from that of the first. If University of Guelph students apply to graduate with two different degrees at the same convocation, only 20 credits may be transferred from the registered program to the undeclared program.

Note: A second degree is judged to be substantially different if:

Honours Equivalent

Students from the University of Guelph or another university may upgrade a degree from the general program to the honours program to obtain an Honours Equivalent recognition. Students may also upgrade a University of Guelph degree from the honours program by the completion of an additional specialization to qualify for the Honours Equivalent recognition. These students are categorized as continuing students and must be readmitted to the program. All previous University of Guelph credits may be utilized toward the equivalent degree from the honours program.

To be granted an Honours Equivalent, students must satisfy the University of Guelph residence requirements. In addition, students must satisfy the conditions for graduation for the specified honours program using the calendar that is in effect at the time of admission into the continuing category. The students who are granted the Honours Equivalent designation do not convocate, but have the designation shown on their transcript. Graduation standing is not assigned for the Honours Equivalent designation.

Certificates and Diplomas

To be granted a Certificate or Diploma, the conditions outlined in Section XI--Certificates and Diplomas must be satisfied using the calendar that is in effect at the time of admission to the General Studies program or the Unclassified category, or at the time of declaration of the Certificate or Diploma. Students who are granted a Certificate or Diploma do not convocate, but have the designation shown on their transcript.

Procedures

Application for Graduation

An "Application for Graduation" form will be sent to each student registered at the University in the sixth semester of general programs, the eighth semester of honours programs, and the tenth semester for the B.L.A. program. All other students who wish to apply for graduation must contact the Convocation Clerk, Academic Programs Section, Office of the Registrar, Level 3, University Centre to request the appropriate application.

Applications for each convocation ceremony must be submitted by the deadline dates specified in Section III--Schedule of Dates. Late applications will be accepted for up to 10 working days after the due date with the submission of a late fee (see Section VI--Schedule of Fees). After 10 working days late applications will not be accepted but will be held for a subsequent ceremony.

Students who have not received an "Application for Graduation" form one week before the final date for submission of applications should contact the convocation clerk. It is the responsibility of the student to submit the completed form prior to the deadline date.

Official transcripts from the University of Guelph will not show that a degree has been conferred until after the convocation ceremony.

Application for Honours Equivalent

A student who is registered as a Continuing student and who expects to complete the requirements as set down in the calendar for one of the honours programs, should submit an "Application for Completion of Honours Equivalent" form available from the Convocation Clerk, Academic Programs Section, Office of the Registrar. The same deadlines for applications to graduate apply to the applications for honours equivalent.

Application for a Certificate or Diploma

A student who is registered in the General Studies program or as an Unclassified student and who expects to complete the requirements as set down in section XI of the calendar for one of the certificate or diploma programs, should submit an "Application for Completion of Certificate or Diploma" form available from the Convocation Clerk, Academic Programs Section, Office of the Registrar.

Graduation Fee

A degree and graduation fee is assessed to students in the following manner:

Students who receive more than one degree are assessed a graduation fee for each degree awarded at convocation. The fee in effect at the time of the application is the amount assessed.

Student's Responsibilities

A student must submit a formal application in order to be considered as a candidate for a degree or diploma at a specific convocation ceremony. Convocation ceremonies are held on three occasions throughout the year--early October, early February, and early June. Applications for a ceremony must be submitted by the student no later than the deadline for that ceremony as specified in the Section III - Schedule of Dates (see Applications for Graduation, above).

Following submission of the application to graduate the student will receive confirmation of the application, along with information on subsequent procedures. An additional late fee will be assessed in those cases where changes are requested by the student after the deadline date as this will affect the printing of the degree/diploma parchment.

Although the Office of the Registrar will attempt to mail an "Application for Graduation" form to every potential graduate, it is the student's responsibility to ensure that an "Application for Graduation" form is completed and returned to the Academic Programs Section, Office of the Registrar by the published deadline dates in the Undergraduate Calendar, Schedule of Dates.

Chair's Responsibilities

The department chair receives both the Academic Progress Reports for all students who have applied for a degree with a specialization administered by that department and a listing of those students.

The department chair (or designate) must review these records to determine if each student has satisfied:

  1. general University requirements,
  2. overall program requirements and
  3. specialization requirements.

Each check is to be reported on the form supplied, and the form is to be forwarded to the program counsellor by the date specified on the accompanying memorandum.

If an applicant satisfies the requirements for the degree, or diploma sought, the Registrar will report the name of the student to the Board of Undergraduate Studies.

If an applicant fails to satisfy any requirement(s), the Registrar will inform the student of that decision.

Registrar's Responsibilities

The Academic Programs Section of the Office of the Registrar prepares a pre printed "Application for Graduation" form for the appropriate group of regular and special students.

The Academic Programs Section processes those applications received prior to the deadline and forwards a confirmation of both the receipt of the application and the information supplied by the student and advises students of the date and time of the convocation ceremonies and the procedures to obtain guest tickets.

The Academic Programs Section forwards Academic Progress Reports and check sheets to department chairs to obtain decisions on eligibility of the applicants. The Academic Programs Section informs students not approved by the departments of the rejection and the reasons for it.

The Registrar will present a list of all recommended graduands to the Board of Undergraduate Studies for approval.


1996-97 Undergraduate Calendar
VIII--Regulations and Procedures

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Last revised: August 28, 1996. Contact: ccrenna@registrar.uoguelph.ca.