Graduation

graduate in their caps and gowns We're committed to helping you reach your goals.

This webpage is packed with all things graduation and commencement. Reach out to graduation@csmd.edu with any questions.

First Things First: Apply to Graduate

Congratulations! You’ve reached a noteworthy academic milestone that deserves to be celebrated.

To graduate in Summer 2021, you must apply by August 1 to receive your diploma by mail.

Apply to Graduate

Important Dates

	Summer 2021	Winter 2022	Spring 2022
Ceremony Date	No ceremony (Students may request to walk in the Winter ceremony)	Jan. 13, 2022	May 13, 2022
Deadline to Apply to Participate in the Ceremony	--	11/15/2021	3/15/2022
Deadline to Apply to Receive Diploma but Not Participate in the Ceremony	8/1/2021	12/15/2021	4/15/2021
Conferral Date	8/31/2021	2/1/2022	6/1/2022
Diplomas Arrive	Late September	Late February	Late June

Frequently Asked Questions

Don’t I just graduate automatically when I have finished my requirements?

No. To graduate from CSM, you need to apply online through Online Services or meet with an academic advisor.

What are the qualifications for graduation?

To qualify as a candidate for a degree or certificate, students must complete all courses required in the curriculum. Unless required courses have been officially waived, all students must meet the course requirements of their program to graduate.

To graduate, students must pass all courses required in their curriculum and must have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 for all work at the college. AAT students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and a copy of their PRAXIS scores must be on file with CSM.

When should I apply to graduate?

Students should apply for graduation when they are in their last semester of classes. Please refer to the Important Dates for deadlines. All associate, certificate, and LOR candidates are eligible for graduation. LOR (Letters of Recognition) recipients do not participate in the ceremony.

Do I have to pay a fee to graduate?

There is no fee to apply to graduate or attend the ceremony. The only fee involved will be the purchase of a cap and gown from the Bookstore.

What requirements do I need to graduate with Honors?

There are three levels of honors awarded at the completion of degrees or certificates.

Highest honors – a cumulative grade point average of 3.9 to 4.
High honors – a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 to 3.89
Honors – a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 to 3.74

Students must have earned at least one-half of their degree or certificate credits at CSM in order to be eligible for honors. The honors designation is recorded on the transcript and eligible students will be given an honor cord to wear at the ceremony.

I am a member of PTK. How do I get my regalia?

If you are a PTK member, you are eligible to purchase any or all of the following to wear at graduation: Honors stole, Gold Honors Tassel, or Double Honors Cord. If you choose to do so, these items must be ordered directly from PTK International Headquarters. Please visit their website at www.ptk.org

For additional information regarding PTK, please contact Mike Green at 301-934-7598 or email mikeg@csmd.edu.

What happens if I do not successfully complete all the credits I need for my degree after I apply to graduate?

You will be notified after the ceremony that you did not satisfy your requirements and you may apply again as soon as you register for your remaining classes.

Do I have to participate in the ceremony in order to receive my diploma?

No. While we encourage you to participate in this event, you do not have to participate in order to receive your diploma. In fact, all diplomas are mailed within four weeks of the actual ceremony.

What are the guidelines for CSM Virtual Commencement slides?

While we encourage positive self-expression, CSM will not approve slides that go against the student code of conduct or contain inappropriate content. Inappropriate content is defined as profanity, vulgarity, negative images, political statements and/or references, criticism of other persons or groups, etc.

Photos must be the student's original photo (or a photo they have the photographer's permission to use).