Commencement

Students who complete degree programs at George Fox University are encouraged to participate in one of the commencement ceremonies held each year. The university holds ceremonies at the end of the fall and spring semesters. Students are only eligible to participate in one commencement ceremony per degree program.

Academic regalia will be provided for all student participants in the commencement ceremony. No external regalia will be allowed. Only regalia for officially recognized activities and honors should be worn.

Participation in a commencement ceremony does not constitute conferral of a degree, nor does it imply an obligation on the part of the university to award the degree before all requirements have been met and certified.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must meet the following criteria in order to participate in a commencement ceremony:

1. Complete an application for degree by week two of the intended commencement semester (or have completed all degree requirements and application for degree in a previous semester).
2. Be meeting all degree requirements by week 12 of the academic semester.

Students not meeting the eligibility requirements for the commencement ceremony are encouraged to participate in the next commencement ceremony. Students may petition to participate in a commencement ceremony with incomplete program requirements if they meet certain criteria.

The university strictly enforces this policy for attending commencement. Students planning to graduate are responsible for maintaining an appropriate course load and completing degree requirements in time to be eligible for their targeted graduation.

Participation in Commencement with Incomplete Program Requirements

Traditional undergraduate students may petition to participate in a fall or spring commencement ceremony if they are within four semester credits of meeting all degree requirements. Remaining credits must be completed before the end of the next semester following commencement, and students must submit proof of registration for the remaining hours. Requests must be submitted no later than the end of the 12th week of the semester. Traditional undergraduate students must complete this form to petition to participate in commencement with incomplete requirements.

In cases involving exceptional circumstances, degree-completion students may be allowed to participate in a fall or spring commencement ceremony with department and registrar approval. Students must complete the missing coursework through George Fox University course offerings before the end of the next semester following commencement. Accelerated online degree students wanting to petition to participate need to complete this form.

In cases involving exceptional circumstances, graduate students may be allowed to participate subject to department and registrar approval. Graduate students must be registered for and able to complete the remaining requirements during the following semester. Graduate students wanting to petition to participate need to complete this form.

Failure to Complete Incomplete Program Requirements

Commencement participation is based on students meeting degree requirements at the time of the ceremony. In some circumstances, students may participate in the ceremony but later receive a failing grade for a course taken in the final semester. In such circumstances, students must successfully pass a course that completes their degree requirements and must do so within one calendar year from the commencement ceremony. Failure to do so will result in withdrawal from the university and may require the completion of additional program requirements at the time of readmission.