Effective Date: July 31, 2023
Issuing Authority: Provost
Policy Contact: Vice Provost
provost@mercer.edu, 478-301-2110
Purpose
The policy explains the requirements for graduation and commencement at Mercer University.
Scope
This policy applies to all students at Mercer University.
Exclusions
None
Definitions
As used in this policy, the following term(s) have the meaning specified below:
Commencement: the ceremony held by the University to celebrate students’ degree completions.
Graduation: the completion of all degree requirements as defined in the University catalog.
Policy Statement
Application for Graduation
All students must apply for graduation. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of all department, school/college, and University degree requirements as published in the University catalog, and to ensure that such requirements have been met or that appropriate waivers have been secured and filed in the Office of the Registrar.
Participation in Commencement Ceremonies
Only those students who are in a position to complete all requirements for graduation by the end of the spring semester may participate in the commencement ceremony for that academic year. Students to whom degrees have already been awarded during the current academic year (i.e., at the end of the previous summer or fall semester) may also participate in that year’s commencement ceremony.
In extraordinary situations, an undergraduate student, who requires no more than 12 credit hours for graduation and plans to complete the degree requirements during the summer session immediately following commencement, may petition the Office of the Registrar for special consideration to participate in the commencement ceremony.
Graduate students may participate according to the policies of their individual schools or colleges.
Participation in the commencement ceremony does not necessarily represent completion of the degree. Degrees are awarded at the end of the terms in which all requirements are met. Students may participate in only one ceremony for each degree sought.
Additional Resources
Office of the Registrar: https://registrar.mercer.edu