Academic Procedures:Graduation and Commencement
Application for Graduation
The graduation application is available online to eligible students through their myLEO account at the beginning of each term- spring, summer and fall. The application typically opens one week prior to the first day of classes, and all students are notified of the dates the application will be open through LeoMail and a notification in myLeo. Additional application information, including instructions and dates, can be found on the graduation webpage.
A $40 application fee is automatically applied to the student's account once they submit the application. This fee is required every time a student applies for graduation (Bachelor's, Second Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate, or when a student has to reapply after not graduating as expected). There is no deadline to pay the fee, and participation in the ceremony is not affected by whether or not the fee has been paid; however, students cannot obtain their official transcript or diploma until all financial obligations to the University (including the graduation application fee) have been fulfilled.
Graduation applications go through a lengthy review process as follows:
- The student's advisor will review the student's degree requirements and complete a graduation checklist form to indicate if the student is on track to meet requirements as expected, if they are lacking requirements, or if they will not meet requirements.
- The Dean or Department Head for the student's college will sign off on the graduation checklist form, and it will the rout to the graduation office for an additional check.
- The graduation office will determine whether or not the student is cleared to participate in the commencement ceremony and will notify the student via LeoMail. If a student is not cleared, they will be taken off of the graduation list and will need to reapply for graduation in another term.
Commencement Participation
Participation in commencement at East Texas A&M University is an earned honor shared among graduates. Commencement is a ceremony intended to recognize the academic achievements of students and faculty, as well as a time for the University to celebrate a major milestone in the lives of those in the academic community.
Commencement is held three times per academic year in May, August, and December and is restricted to those students who, in good faith, will have met degree requirements on the last day of the semester in which they applied to graduate. Students are also expected to “walk” in the same semester in which they apply to graduate. Participation in the ceremony does not equate to degree conferral.
Once official grades have been posted following commencement, the graduation office will conduct a final review of each student's degree requirements. Students who have successfully completed all requirements for their degree program will be awarded their degree. If for any reason a student does not meet degree requirements, they will not be awarded their degree and will be notified via LeoMail.
East Texas A&M University reserves the right to rescind any conferred degree if the University becomes aware of information that the student did not meet degree requirements.