FALL 2015 DEADLINES AND OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The graduation process involves several steps and close communications with many individuals and offices (Registrar’s,
Publications, etc.). Adequate time is needed to accurately verify each student’s record to clear him/her for graduation and, if
needed, to resolve any problems. Therefore, it is important that you alert students, instructors, program heads, and graduate
officers of the below graduation deadlines.
OCT. 7
Last day for graduate programs to enter non-thesis option on ARUSGM
(MP= Master’s Paper or NR = culminating or “capstone” experience, exhibition, production,
project, etc.)
Students’ names will automatically be removed from the graduation list if the non-thesis information is not entered by the
deadline. It is the responsibility of the program to notify the student if his or her name has been removed from the
graduation list. A memo of justification from the Program Head or Graduate Officer is required to re-add a name or for any
last-minute additions the week prior to commencement. Requests to add a student to the graduation list after the
established deadlines will only be considered if there are extenuating circumstances. For any late additions, please be sure
to include the student’s type of non-thesis option (MP or NR).
OCT. 16
Doctoral dissertation defense deadline
OCT. 19
Registrar’s Office sends Commencement Program data to Document Services
Students added after this date will not appear in commencement program.
OCT. 26
Memorial statement due for commencement program
The Graduate School has made arrangements to include a memorial statement in the Graduate School
Commencement Program each semester in memory of students who have passed away before
completion of the degree.
NOV. 2
Check sheets sent to graduate programs
NOV. 13
Signed check sheets need to be returned to Graduate Enrollment Services
Graduate School Commencement will be the weekend immediately following finals week. If a doctoral
student is registered for any course that requires a grade, the grade will need to be submitted as soon as
possible during the week of exams. Graduate Enrollment Services will work closely with programs to
ensure that all grades are submitted prior to commencement. Additionally, a student will not be
approved to graduate if the course he or she is registered for ends after commencement. Doctoral
students will be receiving their diplomas at the graduation ceremony and the posting of degrees will be
indicated on transcripts.
*Important reminder: Please notify Graduate Enrollment Services staff if you will be unavailable or out
of the office during the weeks of December 14-18 and January 4-8. Please be certain to designate a
contact person to handle unresolved graduation matters. This is especially crucial the day before
graduation. It would also be extremely helpful to create an away message on your phone (we call
departments when we have issues with grades) so that we know when you will be not be available. If
problems are not resolved, the student(s) will not be approved to graduate.
DEC. 18
Posting of doctoral degrees on transcripts
DEC. 19
Graduate School Commencement (4:30 PM)
JAN. 5
Grades due for master’s students by 5:00 PM
JAN. 8
Posting of master's degrees on transcripts. Registrar orders diplomas.
Programs with Graduate Council approved options must review all transcripts of graduating students. If an option is missing
and the student has fulfilled the requirements, please e-mail the appropriate Enrollment Coordinator in Graduate Enrollment
Services so that it can be added to the student’s record. If the option is not added to the student’s record, it will not appear
on the student’s diploma. For a list of approved options, please refer to the Registrar’s options list:
www.registrar.psu.edu/majors_minors/
Graduate Enrollment Coordinators
Last Name
A-Bub
Buc-Dic
Did-Grd
Gre-Jor
Jos-Lin
Lio-Mul
Mum-Ref
Reg-Sov
Sow-Wan
Wao-Zzz
Coordinator
Amy Pick
Robin Bang
Sue Fenstermacker
Judy Shawley
Fawn Hosterman
Becky Blair
Mary K. Tracey
Erin Devlin
Sue Wall
Rosella Wagner
Email
Aed145@psu.edu
Rib10@psu.edu
Suf2@psu.edu
Jxg1@psu.edu
Fmh7@psu.edu
Rjb48@psu.edu
Mkt114@psu.edu
Eud11@psu.edu
Smw36@psu.edu
Rqp4@psu.edu
Phone
73694
51835
53913
54001
54002
74367
74957
53981
72719
51836