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Graduation

Graduation

Commencement photo

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. Although CSM is unable to host a traditional commencement event for our winter graduates due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are still planning to roll out the pomp and circumstance in your honor!

To graduate in January 2021, you must apply by the following revised deadlines:

  • November 27 to participate in CSM's Virtual Winter Commencement Ceremony and in-person Commencement activities during the week of January 11-15 (local, state, and federal COVID-19 regulations permitting). All diplomas will be mailed after the ceremony. More details will be provided after you apply.
  • December 15 to receive your diploma by mail (decline to participate in virtual ceremony and in-person activities).

Apply to Graduate

Note: The deadline to apply to participate in the Spring 2021 Commencement Ceremony is March 15; the deadline to only receive a diploma is April 15. More information will be coming regarding plans for Spring Commencement, pending COVID-19 restrictions.

Commencement Information

Mark Your Calendar and Tell Your Friends and Family:

CSM's Winter Commencement virtual ceremony is planned for Friday, January 15, 2021, at 1 p.m. on Facebook Live. More details to follow on the virtual ceremony and in-person activities.

Diplomas and Transcripts

Your diploma or certificate will be mailed to the address listed on your graduation application.  Diplomas will be mailed to students within four weeks of the ceremony.

Transcripts are not updated with graduation status until approximately two weeks following the ceremony.   Please visit: www.csmd.edu/transcripts for an official message indicating they have been updated and can be ordered.

Replacement diplomas can be ordered on the transcript page as well.  Please note: all accounts must be current in order to receive a diploma or transcript.

Graduation FAQ

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