Office of the University Registrar

Diploma Information

Students will receive an email when their diploma has been ordered and again when it is mailed. Diplomas are mailed to the student approximately 6-8 weeks after each conferral date.

Doctoral candidates who graduate in May will receive their diplomas at the Commencement ceremony and those who graduate in December will receive their diploma at the Winter Convocation. All other diplomas are mailed to the diploma address you provide in Patriot Web when you apply to graduate.

You must be in good financial standing with the University and have no holds on your account in order to receive your diploma.

The name of your major, for both bachelor's and master's programs, will appear on your diploma. Academic disciplines for doctoral graduates, however, do not appear on the diploma. Concentrations, or specialized areas of study, will be listed on your diploma only if you graduate from one of the following degree programs: Bachelor of Individualized Study, Bachelor of Arts or Science in Integrative Studies; and on the 'graduate' level for Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies.

George Mason (non-Law) diplomas, both graduate and undergraduate, measure 10 inches by 14 inches in portrait format.

Diploma Name

Your diploma name MUST reflect your name of record during the last term of attendance at George Mason. To change your name of record, including adding a middle name or a suffix, you must provide legal documentation in the form of a birth certificate, passport, marriage certificate, or a court document. All name change requests must be done in person in the Records Department in the Office of the University Registrar.

Diploma Address

You must verify that your diploma address is correct. If your diploma is lost because the address on your record was incorrect, you will be charged $50 for a reprint. Please go to the Updating your Diploma Mailing Address page for detailed instructions.

Minors and Certificates

The Office of the University Registrar does not issue diplomas for minors or certificate programs. Also, minors and certificates will not appear on your Mason diploma but will appear on your official academic transcript.

Some colleges issue certificates to students who have earned a graduate certificate. For more information, contact your Dean's Office.