Southern Miss College of Business

Graduation Information

STEPS FOR FILING FOR GRADUATION (UNDERGRADUATES)

A student is expected to file an application for degree one semester before degree requirements are completed, and the application will be accepted no later than the published deadline (see the University Calendar). This application will show the work completed by the student and the courses planned for the ensuing semester. Filing in advance of the proposed graduation date will allow time for checking the application and also allow the student time for making up deficiencies found in the degree program. Each student has the final responsibility to ascertain that he or she has complied with all applicable catalog requirements for graduation. Advisers assist students in developing their programs, but these advisers cannot, of their own accord, waive or vary degree requirements as they appear in the university Bulletin. After the application has been approved by Undergraduate Academic Services (UAS), it becomes the student’s official degree program. Students graduating in the Honors College must submit the Honors College Attachment to the Application for Degree.

Undergraduate students should complete the Application for Degree at:

http://www.usm.edu/registrar/graduation/steps/ugrad_students/degree_apps/Degree%20Application%20COB.pdf

In addition to submitting the application for degree, CoB majors should complete the University Exit Survey which can be found at:

(Site under construction )

The Application for Degree, the Exit Survey, and a typed copy of the student's resume should be submitted to the Assistant for the Dean for a graduation audit.

Graduation Requirements for College of Business (CoB) majors:

To graduate, students must meet all prescribed course requirements shown in the university Bulletin.
2. A minimum of 128 semester hours (120 semester hours for newer bulletins) must be met.
3. A minimum of 64 semester hours (60 for newer bulletins) must be taken in a senior college.
4. A student’s last 32 semester hours must be taken at USM.
5. A maximum of 6 hours from approved study-abroad programs may be used in meeting degree
requirementa. These 6 hours can be applied to ECO 336, FL 401, ANT 221, or an international
course in the students program.
6. Of all required business course work taken, at least 50% must be completed at USM.
7. Of all required course work, a minimum of 50% must be non-business courses.
8. In addition to meeting all course work requirements, students must have a 2.0 grade point average overall,in the core, and in the major. Transfer students also must meet the foregoing grade point average requirements for all courses taken at USM and must also have a 2.0 average for all attempted course work.

Double majors within CoB must be carefully planned since students must complete a minimum of 21 hours in each emphasis, and emphasis courses may not overlap. Therefore a student who wishes to pursue a double major must have such a course of study approved by the assistant to the dean in Undergraduate Academic Services.

All graduating students are encouraged to register with the USM Career Services, Joseph Greene Hall 207.

In order not to delay receipt of your diploma, you must notify Undergraduate Academic Services, JGH 110, about any changes (i.e., name, address change, adding/deleting minors, etc.) in your degree application as soon as possible. This form can be found at:

http://www.usm.edu/business/students/docs/graduation_info_change_form.pdf

Beginning your graduating term, you will receive a Preliminary Audit letter. This letter reaffirms the information covered during your application filing appointment by indicating whether all classes have been registered for, GPA verifications, etc. THIS LETTER NEITHER CONFIRM NOR DENIES GRADUATION.

The Registrar’s Office will notify you approximately 6 weeks prior to your anticipated graduation with information about graduation ceremonies (date, time, place, how to order caps and gowns, how to reserve your seat for the ceremonies, etc.). If you do not receive your information, contact:

Degree Auditor
601.266.4808

Please be advised there is a formal process for awarding degrees. Final grades are due the Monday following the last final exam on Friday. Clearing of degrees does not begin until all grades are processed and the Registrar's Office has run all end of term processes. Colleges typically begin clearing degrees the Wednesday following the last final exam on Friday. The College of Business makes every effort to have all degrees cleared for successful candidates within a two week period following all end of term processes mentioned above.
The Registrar's Office will provide a list of degree candidates who have requested early clearances to each college. To request an early clearance, contact the Degree Auditor in the Registrar's Office.

NOTE: EARLY CLEARANCES APPLY ONLY TO STUDENTS WHO ARE BEING COMMISSIONED INTO THE MILITARY OR WHO ARE ACCEPTED INTO A GRADUATE PROGRAM.

Diplomas will be mailed to students approximately 4-6 weeks following graduation once verification of completion of all requirements and clearance of student accounts with the USM Library and Business Office.

DEGREES ARE ONLY AWARDED WHEN ALL REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET AND ACCOUNTS PAID IN FULL. Students have approximately two weeks to complete all requirements (i.e., “I” grades, etc.) in order to be in the graduating class they applied for. In the event a requirement has not been completed for the graduation class they have applied for and the graduating class for that term has been closed as required by the Institution of Higher Learning, a student’s diploma will be granted at a later term. It is the student’s responsibility to contact Undergraduate Academic Services to make the necessary arrangement to change a graduation term.

Change of Graduation Information Form