Although advice is readily available on request, the responsibility of selecting the appropriate courses for graduation rests ultimately with the student.
Senate confers certificates, diplomas, and degrees twice each year in the spring and in the fall. Normally, a Convocation is held in May and in November.
Students must submit an Intention to Graduate form to the Registrar's Office by the specified deadlines - see Important Dates in the University Year 2011- 2012. A graduation fee is also required. Conferred credentials will not be made available to students until all accounts have been paid in full.
Honours at GraduationGuidelines for honours at graduation, known as graduating “with distinction”, are as follows. These guidelines will be interpreted by the Committee on Academic Policy and Planning in consultation with the Registrar.
A student may graduate “with distinction” if a GPA of 3.5 with no mark below B- is obtained in 9.0 units (for a 15 unit degree) or in 12 units (for a 20 or more unit degree) at the 2000 level and higher taken at Mount Saint Vincent University or taken elsewhere as authorized external courses. Transfer credits awarded for work completed elsewhere prior to registration at Mount Saint Vincent University will be counted towards honours at graduation as appropriate. For arts and science students in the 15 unit program, the 9.0 units must include at least 6.0 units from the student’s major and minor area.
For students in the professional programs (applied human nutrition, business administration, child and youth study, family studies and gerontology, information technology, public relations, and tourism and hospitality management) and in the 20 unit Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science programs, the 12 units must include at least 8.0 units listed in the degree requirements.
Students who have received a mark of D in their major-minor or their professional areas will not be considered for honours at graduation.
A business diploma may be awarded “with distinction” if a GPA of 3.5 or better with no mark below B- is obtained over 8.0 units at the 2000 or higher level. The 6.5 required business courses at the 2000 or higher level must be included in the 8.0 units. Students receiving a grade less than D in professional courses will not be eligible for distinction.
For honours degrees, first-class honours will be awarded to students who obtain a minimum GPA of 3.5 or better in 10 units in the honours subject and no grade below B- in all courses beyond the first 5.0 units taken.
Participation in Convocation CeremoniesStudents who wish to participate in the formal ceremonies of convocation do so at the ceremony immediately following completion of the academic requirements for their credential. Students who do not wish to participate in convocation ceremonies may receive their credential in absentia by so informing the Registrar. Information on the ceremonies and the in absentia alternative are automatically sent to students who file an "Intention to Graduate" form with the Registrar.
When financial arrears prevent students from graduating, they become eligible to participate fully in the next scheduled convocation ceremony following their full payment of fees owed. Students wishing to do this should contact the Registrar’s Office as soon as their debt is cleared.