Conferral of Degrees & Other Awards
Title:
Policy on Conferral of Degrees & Other Awards
Effective Date:
May 15, 2023
Responsible Office:
Registrar
Last Updated:
First Version
I. Scope
This policy applies to all degree-seeking students (graduate and undergraduate) at William & Mary, including the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.II. Purpose & Policy Statement
The University Registrar’s Office supports the education of the students at William & Mary, protects the integrity of the William & Mary degree, and upholds and assures consistent application of the academic rules and regulations. This policy establishes the general process the Office of the University Registrar or the respective dean’s office follows when certifying eligibility for the conferral of a degree or certificate.III. Definitions
None for this policy.IV. Policy
William & Mary degrees and certificates are conferred three times a year, at the end of the spring, summer, and fall terms. Graduation candidates who complete degree requirements between conferral dates are eligible for conferral with the subsequent term.
Degrees and certificates are officially conferred by the university’s president, to whom authority has been granted by the Board of Visitors.
A. Undergraduate
For undergraduate awards, the university registrar certifies completion or satisfaction of all curricular requirements prior to conferral. Undergraduate degrees are conferred based on the degree requirements approved by the faculty or school academic governance bodies and published in the undergraduate catalog. The university registrar’s office maintains the degree audit system used by undergraduate students to monitor their progress.B. Graduate
For graduate awards, the dean or designee certifies completion or satisfaction of all curricular requirements prior to conferral. Graduate degrees and certificates are conferred based on the curricular requirements approved by the departments or programs, approved or endorsed by the academic governance body of the faculty or school where they reside, and published in the William & Mary graduate catalog. The university registrar’s office maintains a degree audit system that the departments or programs can program to enable graduate students to monitor their progress toward their awards. The dean’s office designee(s) in each faculty or school confirms, in writing, before each term’s award conferral, the successful completion of degree or certificate requirements.
Specific conditions regarding time limits on catalog applicability, credits-in-residence, course requirements, etc., are published in the undergraduate catalog and in the school chapters of the graduate catalog.
