Retroactive Graduation Request Instructions

Retroactive graduations are awarded to students who completed their degree requirements in a previous term but did not receive an official degree conferral. Eligibility to receive a retroactive graduation is determined on a case-by-case basis.  

ELIGIBLE CIRCUMSTANCES

• Student failed to submit a graduation intent form on Patriot Web
• Completed conferral form or an approved graduation application was not received from the academic department

DISQUALIFYING FACTORS

• Grades posted after the 6 week deadline for the requested graduation date
• Academic action, such as substitutions, waivers, the addition of a concentration or minor, done to the record after the requested graduation date *
• Submission of a Thesis or Dissertation after the library deadline of the requested graduation date (graduate level only)
• Posting of transfer credit after the 6 week grace period

*If you completed your coursework within the last year, you need to file your online graduation intent form on Patriot Web for the next graduation term, enroll in a special registration, and file any necessary additional paperwork. If you completed coursework longer than one year ago, Vice Provost approval is required for processing the requested academic action.

STUDENT STEPS

1. Complete and sign the Retroactive Graduation Request form (link to the form is at the bottom of this page).
2. Submit the form to your academic department for departmental approval.
3. If you did not register for a class during the term of requested graduation, complete and submit a Special Registration as per the instructions on the form.

DEPARTMENT AND REGISTRAR STEPS

1. If approved, the department will forward the form to the Registrar’s Office for the final University review. If the student has a minor, the form will be forwarded to the minor department for review.
2. If Provost approval is required, the academic department forwards the form to the Provost’s Office. After Provost review, the form is sent to the Registrar’s Office.
3. If approved by the Registrar’s Office, your degree will be retroactively awarded and a diploma ordered for you. George Mason will only issue diplomas using a student’s name of record during the term of last attendance.
4. If denied by the Registrar’s Office, a notification of the denial will be sent to your academic department and emailed to the email address you provided on the retroactive graduation request form.

CLICK THIS LINK FOR THE RETROACTIVE GRADUATION REQUEST FORM