Preparing for Graduation | Villanova University (2024)

In order to apply for graduation, you must find and follow the appropriate instructions for your course of study. Most instructions require that the Prospective Graduate Form is filled out. Please read the instructions for the form before completing it.

Undergraduate Students

All undergraduate prospective graduates should complete aProspective Graduate Form. To locate the form, search for "Graduate" in myNOVA and select the task tile marked "Prospective Graduate Form". The form is only available to students with senior status and who have no Bursar Holds.

Graduate Students

Liberal Arts and Sciences

Follow the Instructions to Apply for Graduation.

Engineering

Follow theCommencement Information for Graduate Engineering Students

Business

There aretwoforms you need to complete:

1.Prospective Graduate Form

2.VSB Supplemental Form

Nursing

Complete aProspective Graduate Form. To locate the form, search for "Graduate" in myNOVA and select the task tile marked "Prospective Graduate Form".

Prospective Graduate Form Instructions

Step 1: Form Selection

  • Sign into myNOVA using your Villanova username (format: username@villanova.edu) and password.
  • Search for "Graduate". From the results, click on the Prospective Graduate Form task.

Step 2: Curriculum Selection

  • Select yourmost recentprogram term. For the program from which you intend to graduate, choose the term in which you were last registered. Note: this could be a past term, current term or future term.
  • Do not automatically select the current term.While the current term may be correct in your case, ensure that you are selecting the latest term when you are registered in the program from which you are planning to graduate.

Step 3: Verify Program Details

  • If you selected the correct term, your official academic record will display. This contains your name, Villanova ID number, program of study and your major(s) and minor(s) or concentrations.
  • It is importantthat you check this information carefully. If a program of study, degree, major or minor is incorrect, your graduation checkout will be affected. If you want to add or change a major or minor, you must contact your college.
  • Ifyou have more than one active program displayed (e.g., multiple degrees or a degree and certificate, etc.) you will need to complete a form for each separately.
  • If theinformation presented is correct, click in the circle next to the verified program and then click continue.

Note: Only your program title (Degree or Certificate) will display on your diploma. Majors, minors, and concentrations will be displayed on your final transcript. While program titles may be abbreviated on this form, they will NOT be abbreviated on your diploma.

What if no curriculum displays when selecting a term?

There are a number of reasons why you are unable to complete a prospectove graduate form:

  1. There is a HOLD on your account, preventing graduation. Please contact the Bursar's office to determine the cause of the hold.
  2. You have already submitted the prospective graduate form.To view previously submitted prospective graduate forms, go to myNOVA, search for 'Graduation', and click on the View Prospective Graduate Form task item.
  3. You are an Undergraduate student with less than 84 earned credit hours on your transcript.If you are planning to graduate within the current academic year and you have less than 84 earned credit hours, please contact your adviser or Dean’s office to ensure all transfer and study abroad credits have been recorded before applying to graduate.
  4. You are a Graduate Arts & Science student completing a thesis and/or you have less than 21 credit hours on your transcript.Please email the for the appropriate steps to complete an alternate form.
  5. You are a Graduate Engineering student completing a thesis and/or you have less than 21 earned credit hours on your transcript.Please email Engineeringfor the appropriate steps to complete an alternate form.
  6. If you donot meet the above criteria and you are unable complete the form, please contact the Registrar.

Step 4: Identify Anticipated Date of Graduation

  • Identify your official date of graduation from the available drop down menu. There are three official dates each year: September 1, December 31, and May 31.
  • Ifyou complete your degree requirements during the summer semester and have been given permission to “walk” in May’s commencement ceremony, please select September as your graduation date.
  • If your anticipated graduation date does not appear, you might have missed the application deadline or are too early to complete your application.
  • If you are asked about graduation ceremony attendance, please indicate whether you will attend the graduation ceremony.
  • Select "Continue".

Note: The Doctor of Nursing Practice ceremony takes place in December while all other ceremonies take place in May.

Step 5: Select Name for Diploma

  • You will be asked to verify the name that will apear on your dilpoma. The current name displayed above the selection drop-down represents your legal/birth name in the system. This is how your name will appear on your diploma by default. You may select "Current Name" or "Preferred Name" or "NEW" from the dropdown menu.
  • Once the correct name has been provided, select "Continue".
  • Themenu itself will still show your current name (your legal/birth name). However, when you select "Continue" you will see the diploma name you selected from the drop-down display on the next page. If you select "Current Name" it will display on the next page. If you select "Preferred Name" then the preferred name will display on the next page.
  • If youhave a middle initial in your display name and would prefer that your full middle name is displayed, select "NEW" from the dropdown. You will then be taken to the Diploma Name Change section for editing your middle name. You can also change your first name or supply a suffix by selecting "NEW" from the drop down.
  • If youhave accents in your name, refer tokeyboard shortcutsfor the instructions to enter these symbols in the text boxes.
  • If youwish to have your last name changed on your diploma, please send an email to the Registraralong with supporting documentation. Villanova requires that an individual's legal last name appear on the diploma.

Note: Updating your diploma name does NOT update any of your official names in the system. Please follow the process outlined in theUpdating Personal Information page.

Step 6: Indicate Mailing Address

  • Your diploma will be mailed to the address you provide now. Choose a saved address by selecting one from the 'One of Your Addresses' drop-down or select 'New' in the drop-down to enter a different address.
  • Ifyou have selected "New" so that you can provide an address that is not listed, you will be taken to the "Diploma New Mailing Address" section to enter a new address.
  • Do NOT select a Villanova campus address as your diploma address.
  • Providing a diploma address DOES NOT update your permanent address on file.This will only be used for mailing your diploma. Please consider that your diploma is mailed four to six weeks after your degree is awarded and the window for address changes will close one week before the graduation date. To supply a new diploma address after the application closing date, please send an email to the Registrar.

Step 7: Application Summary

  • Your Graduation Application Summary provides the information you will be submitting as your graduation application.
  • Review this information carefully, then select "Submit Request".

Step 8: Acknowledgement Page

  • The page that appears after you submit your application contains your ID and number of forms submitted. This signifies that your prospective graduate form has been successfully submitted.

Note: This does not guarantee graduation. Your college will confirm completion of all degree requirements and release of your diploma.

Next Steps After Submitting Your Prospective Graduate Form

  • Please review the officialCommencement Websitefor additional details as the event approaches.
  • Contact your academic adviser about completing requirements in reference to your academic plan of study.
  • Graduate Business Students: please complete the Graduate Business Supplemental Form.
  • View your current prospective graduate form(s) submitted. Go to myNOVA, search for "Graduation", and from the results, click on "View Diploma Information".

Note: Program Titles (degree/certificate) will appear on your diploma. Majors, minors, and concentrations will appear on your final transcript along with your program title. To make changed aftersubmitting your application, send an email to the Registrarno later than one week prior to your date of graduation.

Preparing for Graduation | Villanova University (2024)

FAQs

What should I do to prepare for college graduation? ›

Preparing for Graduation
  1. Do You Have Enough Credits? ...
  2. Complete the Required Paperwork. ...
  3. Pay Up! ...
  4. Order Your Cap and Gown. ...
  5. Buy Your Diploma Frame. ...
  6. Send out Invitations. ...
  7. Don't Forget About Your Friends!
May 1, 2023

When should I start preparing for graduation? ›

4-6 Months Before:
  1. Meet with Academic Advisor to Review Degree Plan. Seniors need to work closely with their advisors to be sure they are on the correct path for graduation and know the graduation requirements. ...
  2. Apply for Graduation. Complete your graduation application to ensure you're on the list.

What GPA do you need for Villanova grad school? ›

All graduate students must earn a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher to receive their master's degrees. Therefore, there are no honors categories for master's level students. You may check to see if your program has an honor society and what the requirements are for being invited to join.

How many credits to graduate at Villanova? ›

Candidates for graduation must meet all of the following seven requirements: 1. A minimum of 122 credit hours; 2. The successful completion of the Core Curriculum, academic major requirements, and free electives*; 3.

Is it okay to wear jeans to a college graduation? ›

It's a celebratory but serious occasion, and you want to show up appropriately attired. That generally means a more polished look elevated above ordinary streetwear, such as professional or at least business casual pieces – avoiding items like jeans, shorts and sneakers.

What parents should wear to college graduation? ›

You also should avoid wearing anything too formal or too casual. As a general rule, it's best to dress somewhere in between. Also, be sure to avoid dressing in a way that might be too flashy or attention-grabbing. You want to look your best on this special day, but you don't want to overshadow the graduates themselves.

What should parents bring to graduation? ›

A college graduation is a major milestone, so you may want to mark this occasion with a piece of real jewelry for your child. Gift ideas for parents like a subtle gold necklace, handsome ID bracelet, fashionable wristwatch, or a set of pearl earrings are all elegant gift ideas that can be worn on job interviews.

What month do most college students graduate? ›

Generally from the first week in May to the first week in June. You'll start to see the commencement speeches from around the country on TV when there is someone notable giving a speech (such as the President or some famous celebrity).

What is the best age for graduation? ›

When Should You Finish College By? Ideally, every student starting college at 18 should finish a bachelor's degree by 22 and either move on to graduate education or start a fulfilling career. However, that is not always the case. The reality is very different compared to this ideal.

Can I get into Villanova with a 3.7 GPA? ›

For Villanova, the average GPA of admitted students tends to be around 3.9 (unweighted). Keep in mind that this is just an average, and there is some variance among applicants. A competitive GPA range for Villanova would likely fall between 3.7 and 4.0 unweighted.

Is a 3.7 GPA good to get into grad school? ›

Graduate schools typically look for a minimum GPA of 3.0, but the average GPA of admitted students is often higher, ranging from 3.5 to 4.0. Some programs may set a higher GPA requirement, while others may consider other factors such as work experience and test scores in addition to GPA.

Will a 3.8 GPA get me into grad school? ›

Most grad schools would require a minimum GPA of 3.0, but lower-ranked universities might accept students with 2.5+ GPAs as well. On the other end, elite colleges such as Harvard, Stanford, and MIT have high GPA expectations (3.5+ minimum, with average GPAs often as high as 3.8).

Can an average student get into Villanova? ›

With a GPA of 3.89, Villanova requires you to be near the top of your class, and well above average. Your transcript should show mostly A's. Ideally, you will also have taken several AP or IB classes to show that you can handle academics at a college level.

What is a B+ GPA at Villanova? ›

Quality points for grades are as follows: A=4.00; A-=3.67; B+=3.33; B=3.00; B-=2.67; C+=2.33; C=2.00; C-=1.67; D+=1.33; D=1.00; D-=. 67. Academic Progress.

What percentage of students are accepted at Villanova? ›

Villanova admissions is very selective with an acceptance rate of 23%. Students that get into Villanova have an average SAT score between 1360-1500 or an average ACT score of 32-34.

How do I prepare myself for graduation ceremony? ›

10 tips to prepare for your graduation ceremony
  1. Hit the ground running. ...
  2. Figure out where you're going to park beforehand. ...
  3. Take plenty of hair pins. ...
  4. Think about what you're going to wear. ...
  5. Consider the cost. ...
  6. Prepare for A LOT of clapping. ...
  7. Try not to be disappointed when they hand you a fake certificate. ...
  8. Get snapping.

What should I do before graduation? ›

9 things to do before graduation
  1. Network network network. ...
  2. Tap into your school's resources. ...
  3. Update and polish your CV/résumé ...
  4. Apply for jobs. ...
  5. Collect references. ...
  6. Consider a post-study work visa. ...
  7. Start your own business. ...
  8. Build your portfolio.

How do I prepare for graduate? ›

How to Plan for Grad School: A Checklist
  1. Plan your academic goals.
  2. Clarify your career plans and goals.
  3. Research the requirements of your graduate program.
  4. Preview the campus.
  5. Communicate: Talk with students and program staff in your field of study.
  6. Develop positive relationships with faculty.

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