May 22, 2024  
2015-2016 Traditional Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Traditional Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Graduation Policy


There are six official graduation dates each year that are published on transcripts and diplomas to indicate the day on which graduation requirements have been completed. These dates are August 31, December 31, January 31 (for fall term student teachers), the date of the graduation ceremony in May, May 31, and June 15 (for spring term student teachers).

Application for Graduation

It is the responsibility of the student to notify the Office of the Registrar of his/her intention to graduate by filling out and submitting an Application for Graduation no more than one year prior to the student’s intended graduation date. The application should be made only if the student has completed a minimum of 75 semester hours. Application forms are available on my.lakeland.edu or in the Office of the Registrar.

Once the form is received in the Office of Registrar, the student will written notification of all remaining degree requirements. Should graduation plans change, the student must inform the Office of the Registrar immediately. Students who reach graduation eligibility without having submitted an Application for Graduation risk exclusion in the graduation ceremony. Such a student will also be responsible for any fees incurred if adjustments must be made to the information on his/her diploma, i.e., a change in graduation date, or a revision in the representation of his/her name.

General Graduation Policies

Financial obligations to the college, including the payment of all fines, must be met prior to the granting of a diploma. Students who have not met their financial obligations by their proposed date of graduation will receive their diplomas and requested transcripts when satisfactory arrangements for financial obligations have been completed.

Graduation honors will be based on all coursework completed by the final day of the Kellett School’s first 7-week session of the spring term and will be announced at the ceremony. Honor citations are recorded on the permanent record, and will be based on all coursework completed at Lakeland College. Please refer to the Academic Standing  section of this catalog for further information regarding honors.

Outstanding transcripts from other institutions that contribute to the completion of degree requirements must be received in the Registrar’s Office at least two months before the official date of graduation. If such transcripts are late in arriving, final granting of the diploma will be delayed until all transcripts have been received and processed.

Diplomas will be issued to graduates after the term in which all graduation requirements are completed and financial obligations to the college have been met. Eligible students are encouraged to attend the May commencement ceremony to celebrate accomplishments and receive a diploma folder. Transcripts, noting the completion of degrees and honors, will be available within one month after all coursework has been completed. All appeals for exceptions should be made to the Office of the Registrar.

Mid-Year Graduation

Graduation eligibility for the August, December, January, May or June dates is contingent upon completion of all graduation requirements with passing grades by August 31, December 31, January 31, May 31, or June 15, respectively.

May Commencement

The 2015-2016 commencement ceremony is scheduled for May 1, 2016. Students who have completed all degree requirements by December 31, 2015; January 31, 2016; May 1, 2016; June 15, 2016; are registered for a 2016 May Term course who will complete their degree requirements; or are registered for their final 12 or fewer credits for the Summer 2016 term may participate in the May 2016 ceremony. To be eligible to participate in the May ceremony, students must have completed or be currently enrolled in all courses required for the completion of the degree. Students who are enrolled in Lakeland spring term courses that will complete all graduation requirements are eligible to participate in the May ceremony, even if those courses conclude after the date of the ceremony. Therefore, students enrolled in spring term internships will be eligible for participation in the May ceremony if the conclusion of the internship will mark the completion of all degree requirements. Students with more than 12 credits remaining who register for all of those credits for the Summer 2016 term will be eligible to participate in the May 2017 commencement ceremony.