Graduation
Policy in Catalog:
Graduation Policy in the School of Marine Science Graduate Catalog
Forms & Surveys:
Apply Online for Graduation (by October 1 deadline)
Notice of Candidacy for Graduation
SMS Graduate Survey (all students)
Survey of Earned Doctorates (PhD students only)
Steps for Student Checkout (DocuSign | View Sample)
Resources:
Electronic Thesis or Dissertation (ETD) Submission
Capstone Acceptance
Important Dates & Deadlines
Applying for Graduation:
In order to be reviewed for graduation, you must first complete the online graduation application in Banner Self Service within your window of opportunity (see below). Instructions are provided for your convenience. Once you have submitted the application, any changes must be made manually by submitting a Notice of Candidacy form.
The College has instituted a one-time, non-refundable graduation fee that will be charged to your student account upon applying for graduation. Payment of the fee will be due within 30 days. Changes to your graduation date will not result in additional fees.
If you have any difficulty with completing the online graduation application, contact the SMS Registrar or Wendy Urbano, the University's Graduation Coordinator, at (757) 221-2807.
Important Deadlines and Dates for Graduation:
Semester of degree completion: | Online graduation application will be open: | Degree conferral date: | W&M Commencement Exercises & VIMS Diploma Ceremony: | Complete defense or capstone presentation by: | Submit ETD via ProQuest or capstone acceptance by: |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spring 2025 | February 15 thru October 1, 2024 | May 18, 2025 | May 16-17, 2025 | April 18, 2025 | May 2, 2025 |
Summer 2025 | February 15 thru October 1, 2024 | August 22, 2025 | May 16-17, 2025 | July 18, 2025 | August 1, 2025 |
Fall 2025 | February 15 thru October 1, 2025 | January 16, 2026 | May 15-16, 2026 | Nov 21, 2025 (Before Thanksgiving Week) |
December 5, 2025 |
Spring 2026 | February 15 thru October 1, 2025 | May 16, 2026 | May 15-16, 2026 | April 17, 2026 | May 1, 2026 |
Summer 2026 | February 15 thru October 1, 2025 | August 21, 2026 | May 15-16, 2026 | July 24, 2026 | August 7, 2026 |
Last Updated on January 27, 2025 by J. Hay