2010 Graduation Information

The Intent to Graduate Form
It is your responsibility to submit your Intent to Graduate. You may access the form online via WebSTAC. (Paper copies are available at the Office of Student Records or the College Office in 205 South Brookings or 115 Umrath.)

The deadline for filing the Intent to Graduate is October 1 for December 2009 graduates and December 1, 2009, for May 2010 graduates.

Once you file your Intent, the College of Arts & Sciences will consider you a candidate for the A.B. degree and will evaluate your record to verify that you have met all degree requirements.

If you fail to complete degree requirements, you must withdraw your Intent and refile it for a subsequent degree period.

Arts & Sciences Recognition Ceremony
Mark your calendars for the Arts & Sciences Recognition Ceremony, which will take place at 10 a.m., Thursday, May 20, 2010, in the Field House of the Athletic Complex.

  • Each Arts & Sciences graduate will receive three tickets for the Field House and two tickets to a special closed-circuit viewing site, also in the Athletic Complex, to accommodate additional guests who would be more comfortable viewing the ceremony in traditional rather than bleacher seating.
  • Graduates will receive their tickets when they pick up their academic attire.
  • Graduates assemble in cap and gown in Francis Gym at 9:15 a.m and begin processing at 9:30.
  • Graduates will be recognized individually by major.
  • A professional photographer will photograph each graduate.
  • The ceremony will conclude at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Parking
Parking is available in the Snow Way and Millbrook garages. The lot in front of the Athletic Complex will be reserved for handicap parking. The Snow Way parking facility is accessible from Big Bend or Millbrook Boulevard (Forest Park Parkway). The Millbrook Garage may be reached from Millbrook Blvd.

For more information please visit the Parking and Transportation web site. If you have any questions, please contact the College Office at (314) 935-8548.

The Commencement Ceremony
The University invites all students who have been conferred degrees during the academic year (August, December, May) to attend the May Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 21, 2010, at 8:30 a.m. in Brookings Quadrangle. All Arts & Sciences graduates are to assemble in cap and gown at 8 a.m., in front of Rebstock Hall.

The Arts & Sciences Reception
The Arts & Sciences Reception will take place immediately following the All-University Commencement Ceremony on The Green (west of Olin, north of Graham). It will begin at approximately 11:15 a.m., Friday, May 21, 2010. Graduates may pick up their diplomas at the reception.

Diplomas
All diplomas for May degree recipients are delivered to the academic schools for distribution at their recognition ceremonies. All diplomas not claimed at the special ceremonies on the day of commencement are then returned to the Office of Student Records, where diploma distribution will continue for approximately 3 weeks.

May diplomas remaining in our office are mailed return receipt to the address you indicated on your Intent to Graduate. A signature will be required for delivery and the mailing service will make several attempts at delivery before the diploma is returned to us. Call (314) 935-5976 in our office to inquire about your diploma.

Each diploma is an original document. It is signed by the administration of Washington University and contains an embossed seal. It will list your record name and your official degree and the date of conferral.

You can check your name on WebSTAC to see how your diploma will be printed. If your name is incorrect, you must request a name change in the Student Records' office. In addition to completing a change of name request, you will be asked to present proof of legal name (birth certificate, court order, passport), with picture ID.

Only official degree titles will appear on diplomas. Your Dean's office should be able to provide you with information on your correct degree title.

Latin Diploma Translations
Certain Washington University schools confer their degrees in Latin. The Latin equivalent of the Bachelor of Arts degree is the Artium Baccalaurei (A.B.); the Master of Arts is the Artium Magistri (A.M.); the Doctor of Laws is the Juris Doctoris (J.D.); the Doctor of Philosophy is the Philosophia Doctoris (Ph.D.); and, the Doctor of Medicine is the Medicinae Doctoris (M.D.). Click here for the English translations of Latin diplomas.

Replacement Diplomas
Washington University issues one original diploma. If you have lost your original, a replacement diploma may be ordered. The cost to create the new printing plate is $50 and will take approximately 6 to 8 weeks. The document is identified as a replacement.

Orders should include your signed and printed name, your student identification number, and the degree and date of your conferral. Make your check payable to Washington University in U.S. dollars. Include delivery address and a phone number for our contact should questions arise.

Degrees and Transcripts
Degree name and conferral date are listed on your transcript. May degrees are posted as of the official date of conferral. August and December degrees are posted retroactively, once the Board of Trustees has approved the final degree list. Transcripts show August degrees as of the beginning of October and December degrees in early February.

Although August and December degrees are posted after the fact, the transcript will reflect the official conferral date. See the chart on the inside of this brochure for more information.

Before degrees appear on transcripts, students may contact the Office of their Dean to obtain official verification of degree or program completion.

"While studying abroad in Cape Town, my Hoopes Undergraduate Research Award allowed me to film a documentary on the role that education is playing in the reconciliation process in post-apartheid South Africa and move outside of the classroom in my exploration of the practical application of classroom knowledge in everyday life."

David Hartstein
Social Thought and Analysis