Graduation Checklist

• Degreeworks: Graduating seniors should double-check their progress toward their degree in Degreeworks prior to their final semester in which they plan to graduate. This is to ensure that all degree, gpa, credit hour, testing and assessment requirements have been accounted for and will be completed by the end of the semester in which a student plans to graduate. All students are responsible for ensuring that all degree requirements have been met; failure to do so can prevent a student from graduating!
  
  
• Meet with your CDA: Students should meet with their Chief Departmental Advisor the semester before they plan to graduate to ensure major and/or minor completion.  Biology majors should attend a Graduation Advising Session. 
  
  
• Apply for Graduation: Applying for graduation is not the same as applying for the ceremony. Students must complete and submit the Undergraduate Application for Graduation to the Office of the Registrar.
  
  
• Apply for Commencement: All activities related to commencement are managed by the Office of University Events, 106 Koch Hall (757)683-6797. Details and contact information can be found on the Commencement website.
  
  
• Satisfy the University Writing Requirement: All undergraduate students, including those students who are seeking a second baccalaureate degree (if the first degree was issued by another institution), must satisfy the University Writing Requirement. 
  To do so, students following the 2011-2012 and earlier catalogs must EITHER
  
  
  • sit for and pass the University's Exit Examination of Writing Proficiency prior to the date of graduation.
  OR
  • Earn a grade of C or better in both lower division Written Communication courses taken (ENGL 110C and ENGL 211C or 221C or 231C) and the W (writing intensive) course required for their major.
  
  
  Students following the 2012-2013 and subsequent catalogs must meet the new writing requirement; the Exit Examination of Writing Proficiency will not be an option.
  
  
  
• Complete the Senior Assessment: All graduating seniors must complete the required Senior Assessment Survey during their final semester before graduation. The diploma will not be issued until the student has completed their assessment.
  
  
• Complete Financial Aid Exit Counseling: All students receiving financial aid are required to complete exit loan counseling before graduation.  Students should complete the Department of Education's Online Exit Counseling or contact their Financial Aid Counselor if they prefer to complete the exit counseling in person.
  
  
• Pay Any Accounts Receivable Debt or Fines on Your Account: Students with Accounts Receivable Holds, Library Fines or Parking Fines will be prevented from graduation until the hold or fine has been paid in full.
  
   
• Update Your Permanent Address Information on Leo Online: Beginning approximately 6 weeks after the graduation date, diplomas will be mailed to the permanent address on record at the Office of the  Registrar.
  
  
• Meet with the Career Management Center (CMC): The CMC can assist with resume writing, job search strategies, networking plus a variety of other career related topics. Check out the website or stop in at the Cyber Center between the hours of 10am and 3pm daily for assistance. The Cyber Center is located in 2202 Webb Center. We offer our services to current students as well as alumni. "Link to your future - Your future starts now!"

Students who have applied to graduate at the end of the current term will have a hold that prevents further registration. If you still need to take courses to complete program requirements, you should email graduate@odu.edu to notify the University Registrar of your new graduation term and to request that the hold be lifted.