Conferring of Degrees
Master degrees are awarded in January, May and September. Students graduating in January participate in the May commencement ceremony. Students completing the degree requirements in September participate in the May ceremony the following year. All graduating students who have petitioned to graduate with the Office of the Registrar will receive information about commencement in April. Attendance is not required of master’s candidates, but all are encouraged to participate. For further information, see the section on Graduation in this chapter.
Graduation
Students must complete and submit to the Office of the Registrar the Petition to Graduate form by the established deadlines posted to the College’s academic calendar. The Office of the Registrar may send notices to students who have completed a minimum of 21 graduate credits toward their program requirements; however it is the student's responsibility to review the deadlines and submit the Petition to Graduate form by the established deadlines. The Petition form includes information for those planning to complete their degree requirements within a year’s time. A minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 is required for graduation.
A list of potential graduates for master’s degrees is submitted for faculty and trustee approval during their scheduled meetings. If a student petitions the Office of the Registrar but does not complete the degree requirements on schedule, the student must submit a new petition indicating a new completion date.
The College celebrates graduation in formal ceremonies in May. It is Hood’s policy that only those students who have fulfilled all academic requirements and have met all financial obligations to the College may participate in commencement. Diplomas issued for September and January graduates will be available for pickup by the student in the Office of the Registrar or may be mailed to the student at his or her request. Commencement regalia may be purchased through the College bookstore.