Special Requirements of the School

All students must fulfill the general requirements for graduation. Students in the Jackson School must also fulfill the following requirements:

Degree Audit

All Jackson School students are expected to monitor their degree progress through regular use of the University’s Interactive Degree Audit (IDA) system. IDA provides the students with a report of their progress toward completion of requirements for a specific degree program. The degree audit normally provides an accurate statement of requirements, but the student is responsible for knowing the requirements of the degree as stated in the undergraduate catalog under which the student is eligible to graduate and for registering so as to fulfill all requirements. The student should consult with a JSG academic advisor before registering if in doubt about any requirement.

Applying for Graduation

A student is eligible to graduate if their Jackson School degree audit is 100 percent complete. If an eligible student fails to submit a graduation application by the semester deadline given in the academic calendar, a graduation application may be submitted by the academic dean or designee. An application submitted under these circumstances cannot be cancelled without a successful appeal to the Office of the Provost. Refer to the Graduation Appeal Application for further information.

In the semester or summer session in which a student is eligible to graduate, the student must be registered at the University and must file a graduation application form with the JSG Student Services Office. This should be done at the beginning of the semester in which the student intends to graduate; it must be done by the deadline to apply for an undergraduate degree, which is noted in the official academic calendar.

An official degree audit must be on file when the student submits the graduation application. A student who applies for graduation but does not receive the degree must promptly contact a JSG academic advisor to discuss next steps. The student will be required to submit a new graduation application in the semester they intend to graduate.

The student must be registered at the University in the semester or summer session in which the degree is to be granted. This requirement may be fulfilled by registering for courses in residence or by registering in absentia. For information about registration in absentia, the student must consult the JSG Student Services office no later than the second week of the semester in which the student intends to graduate.

Course credit received by credit-by-exam, correspondence, or transfer does not fulfill the residence requirement. Students planning to receive credits by any of these means are expected to monitor their academic record to ensure all documentation is received before the semester in which the student intends to graduate.

No degree will be conferred unless all requirements have been fulfilled and all deadlines met.

Commencement

The Jackson School of Geosciences graduation ceremony is held each spring in conjunction with the University-wide commencement ceremony. Students graduating with University Honors, School Honors and Jackson Scholars are recognized at the school's ceremony. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not constitute applying to graduate or official completion and receipt of a degree.

Students who complete all degree requirements in the fall or summer of the same academic year as the school’s ceremony may be eligible to participate in the school's spring ceremony. Whereas all spring graduates must submit an application to graduate, fall graduates and prospective summer graduates must submit an application to walk by the published deadline. Final decisions regarding eligibility to participate will be determined by the dean’s office if needed.