Graduation and Certification

Students who plan to complete degree (master’s or specialist) requirements during the fall or spring semester must file an official Application for Graduation through the Office of the Dean of The Harold Loyd Murphy Graduate School, Councill Hall 201. The deadline for filing applications is published in the academic calendar and on the University website.

Before any student can be cleared for graduation, all of the following requirements must be satisfied. Students who do not clear academically must reapply for graduation.

1. Each student must be officially accepted as a degree candidate by an academic program and be admitted to candidacy status.
2. All required credentials and test scores must be on file, including evidence of English proficiency.
3. Each student must take and pass the appropriate Graduate Comprehensive Examination.
4. Each student must achieve the required cumulative GPA of 3.0 (3.25 for Ed.S.)
5. Each student must meet the residency requirement.
6. All courses for a degree must be completed within the eight-year time limit.
7. Each student must complete all of the prescribed courses listed on the program of study and fulfill all departmental requirements.
8. Students will not be allowed to graduate with a grade of “I” outstanding. Students who fail to meet the degree requirements after filing for the degree must re-file for the degree when requirements have been completed and pay another graduation fee.
9. All transfer credits must be posted to the ASU transcript.
10. Dissertations and theses should be defended, approved and submitted to The Murphy Graduate School prior to graduation.
11. Before candidates seeking teacher education certification in Alabama can be cleared for graduation, they must apply for proper certification through the: