Plan ahead.

Don't just depend upon your advisor or the advising center.  Make sure that you understand the degree requirements yourself.  Check your academic record frequently by obtaining a computer degree audit. Take a copy to all of your advising sessions.

Remember.  You can graduate only after you complete all degree requirements and 120 credits.  You will graduate the semester you complete these requirements. 

Note.  If the graduation requirements have changed during your time
          at Mason, you  can either graduate under the rules of the catalog
          in effect when you entered, or under the rules of any catalog in
          effect while you were a student.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

What to do when it's time to graduate.

The first steps in the graduation process are described on the first page of the Schedule of Classes every semester.   The entire process is conducted online.  Here is what you must do by the announced deadlines. 

• Update your expected graduation date.
• File a Graduation Intent Form (GIF). 

        You can file your GIF at the Graduation Website. 

The Undergraduate Coordinator of the Biology Department will receive a list of those students who have filed GIFs  and will verify electronically that the academic requirements have been completed.  Those who file GIFs but haven't satisfied the requirements, will be notified by the undergraduate coordinator through their mason email account and/or by telephone. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Where to go if you have questions:

    The Registrar's frequently asked questions about graduation site.

     If you can't find your answer there, email your question to:  biodvice@gmu.edu
 
 

The Bottom Line

All of the requirements for the M.S. Degree in Biology as described in your Thesis Proposal and/or your Program of Study must be fulfilled in order to graduate.  Special attention should be given to committments that are completed during the final semester.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Non-thesis Students.

Non-thesis students must complete their oral and written comprehensive exams by the end of the final exam period of the semester in which they are to graduate.  A form letter is available for this purpose. 

Your research project must also be completed and graded by that same deadline. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thesis Students

If you are a thesis student you must:

• enroll for thesis credit hours 
• provide a draft of your thesis to be reviewed for conformation to the thesis style manual
• submit two unbound copies of the thesis, signed by the members of your committee
• confirm that all IP grades have been converted to letter grades

Dates and Deadlines

A list of important dates for graduate students is published each semester.   It is especially important to note that the CAS graduate application deadline is not the same as the registrar's deadline.  The CAS deadline is earlier!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Application for Graduation

There are two steps to the graduation process:

• electronically file a Graduation Intention Form (GIF) with the registrar
• print out and complete the application form, obtain the signatures of your committee, and graduate coordinator, then mail or take the application to C112 College Hall for approval by the Associate Dean for Academic Programs before the end of the CAS deadline.