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Graduation Information and Deadlines
Assistantship Policies
Thesis Information
  Thesis Writer's Guide
Academic Calendars
Graduate Student Association
Graduate Office Staff
Student Profiles
Graduate Contracts
Admission to Candidacy
Advisor/Thesis Committee
  Graduation Application
Leave of Absence Request
Proprietary Research Agreement
Request for Waiver of Fees (Part-time students)
Request Change of Graduate Bulletin
Statement of Work Completion
Thesis Defense Request
Withdrawal Request
What You Need to Know About Graduation -
Requirements and Deadlines

Graduation requires a great deal of planning and coordination by graduating students and the Graduate Office. The information below gives the deadlines, schedules, and other information you need to know to graduate and participate in the commencement ceremony. Please note that your full cooperation is needed for graduation to be a success.

Checkout & Program Requirements

  • All graduating students must officially check-out with the Graduate Office, which includes paying the mandatory graduation fee.
  • Check-out cards can be obtained from the Graduate Office or at the Graduation Salute. You must return the completed card before the deadlines specified (See Important Dates and Deadlines, below).
  • CSM will not release diplomas, transcripts, and other records of students who have any unsettled obligation to the university.
  • You must successfully complete all program requirements before the date of graduation.
  • Your department may have requirements beyond those established by the Graduate Office that you might have to meet before graduating. Be sure to check with your advisor about departmental requirements.
  • Graduation ceremonies are held in December and May. Students eligible for graduation are expected to attend the ceremony held at the end of their final semester. (Students completing requirements during the summer semester are expected to attend the December ceremony.)
  • If you fail to graduate at the time originally anticipated, you must reapply for the next graduation before the deadline stated in the Graduate Handbook.
Important Dates & Deadlines

You can access most required forms online using the "Online Forms" menu to the left.

Checkout cards can only be obtained at the Graduate Office (Rm 314 Guggenheim Hall) or at the Graduate Salute.

Deadline Checklist for Fall 2008

September 23
Application for Admission to Candidacy and the Graduation Application must be turned into the Graduate Office.

October 23 & 24 - Graduation Salute
Attend & save time! Student Center Ballrooms, 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM. Check-out materials, gowns, hoods, etc. can be picked up and most administrative departments will be on site to sign off on student checkout cards. Doctoral gowns, personalized announcements and class rings can be ordered.

TBD by your academic department
Thesis Defense Request Form due.

TBD by your academic department
Last day to defend thesis.

November 10
Last day for format approval of thesis. Submittal page must be signed prior to review.

November 14
Check-out card and Work Completion form must be turned into the Graduate Office.

The Graduation Ceremony - Information for Students & Guests

Schedule

December 3 - Graduation Practice
4:00 PM Student Rec Center (SRC) - Lockridge Arena

December 12 - Commencement
7:30 to 8:45 AM
Mandatory Check-in, SRC gym. MS pick up cap and tassel. If you fail to check-in on time you will be pulled from the graduation ceremony. NO EXCEPTIONS

8:45 AM
Lineup for procession. Please be on time.

9:30 AM
Procession March begins.

Additional Information

Photographs - A professional photographer will photograph each graduate as they receive their diploma and is greeted on stage. Free color proofs will be mailed to each graduate within several weeks of the ceremony.

Special Arrangements - Call the Student Life Office at 303.273.3231 if you need special arrangements for:

  • Seating and parking for people with disabilities.
  • Graduates needing assistance during the processional.

Baby-sitting - Baby-sitting services will be available for children 8 and under.
Signs will be posted

Announcements - Personalized graduation announcements can be ordered at www.jostens.com. The minimum order is 25, and you must pay for them in advance. Allow three weeks for delivery. For more information, call 1-800-854-7464.

Diplomas - Diplomas will be ordered after final grades have been verified and degrees have been posted. Diplomas will then be mailed to the address provided on your check-out card. You can expect to receive your diploma approximately 8 weeks from the graduation date.

Information for Guests

Tickets - All guests must have a ticket for admission. Ticket distribution is determined by the number of graduates attending the ceremony. Tickets are distributed to each student by the Graduate Office when the check-out process is complete.

Parking - Guest parking is located at 18th and Illinois Streets as well as Arapahoe and 18th Streets.

Seating - General seating will be available to ticket-holding guests one hour before the start of the ceremony. Once the ceremony begins, open seats can be occupied by individuals who do not have guest tickets.

Duration - The ceremony will last about 2 hours.

Photography - Guests will be prohibited from approaching the stage to take photographs or videos, but they will be permitted to take pictures from their seats.

Note: A professional photographer will photograph each graduate as they receive their diploma (see Additional Information, above).

Post-Ceremony Rendezvous - Graduates will march out with the marshals and their fellow graduates. Graduates and guests should arrange to meet away from the main aisle to avoid interfering with the processional.