Information for Graduate Degree Candidates

Complete the online Graduate application for Graduation in myGoucher. Instructions for accessing the application are provided below. Questions about the application can be directed to the Office of the Registrar, at graduation@goucher.edu or 410-337-6090.

Instructions to accessing the Application for Graduation:

1. Log into MyGoucher
2. Click on "MyGoucher Links" tab
3. Click on the "Graduate Application for Graduation" link (listed in the Student Links section)
4. Complete the application and submit it via the "Submit" button.

You must apply for your degree by February 9, 2024, as indicated on the Important Dates for Students page. Failure to complete the application by the deadline could result in you're not being allowed to participate in the Commencement ceremony. Requests to apply after the deadline should be addressed to the Office of the Registrar at graduation@goucher.edu.

Each semester, you should check with your advisor to update your program plan. Your program plan will indicate requirements that are not complete or pending. Please meet with your advisor before the end of the add/drop period each semester to determine if any additional courses and requirements are needed.

The Office of Financial Aid and the Bursar’s Office, as well as any other office having a hold on your account, will notify you prior to graduation if there are any holds on your record that will prevent you from receiving your diploma. If you receive financial aid, you must complete an exit interview with the Office of Financial Aid prior to graduation.

Office of Financial Aid - FinAid@Goucher.edu, 410-337-6141

Bursar's Office - billing@goucher.edu, 410-337-6022

The college confers (awards) degrees in May, August, and December each academic year. Students who complete their degree requirements the December prior to May commencement and who plan to complete their degrees in August of the same year are cleared for degree completion in the same manner as graduates completing their degrees in May. Likewise, once the clearance process has been completed and the degree conferred on the transcript, the Office of the Registrar mails diplomas to students at the address indicated on the Application for Graduation.

Degree candidates are not exempt from taking final exams.

Please consult the Graduate Catalog (PDF) for the GPA standards for graduate programs.

Please consult your program catalog for those requirements.

Please consult the Graduate Catalog (PDF) for the total credits needed for graduation.

Students are not issued diplomas at commencement, only a diploma cover. Diplomas are mailed to May semester graduating students between mid-June and the end of July. Graduating students not participating in commencement receive their diplomas according to the same timeline; a cover is not included but may be picked up in person at the Office of the Registrar after degrees have been awarded.

The Goucher diploma has your name, degree (based on your program), and date of graduation. Specializations are printed on the transcript but not on the diploma.

The Graduate Application for Graduation allows students to specify their preference for their name’s appearance on the diploma and in the commencement program. The information provided in the application will be used for the diploma and the program. While Goucher honors gender preferences in the appearance of these names, students should comply with the first, middle (name or initial), last name combination naming convention. Students whose name preference on their diploma changes after printing or who wish to obtain a duplicate can submit a request via the Replacement Diploma Request form; a $50.00 fee applies.

Detailed information concerning all aspects of graduation can be found on the Commencement page.

The 2024 regalia website will be live near the end of January.

Go to herff.ly/goucher to purchase your regalia, announcements, thank you cards, and more. Early Bird Pricing lasts through April 27th. Any orders placed after this date may incur additional fees. The final date to place your order is May 8th.

Any questions or concerns can be directed to the College Store Customer Service at customer.service@goucher.edu.

As it has been customary, only those earning a master's degree will be invited to this celebration. Because commencement exercises are held only once a year in May, only graduate students who have completed all academic requirements for the appropriate master’s degree and who have settled all college accounts and all student disciplinary matters are allowed to participate. Graduate students in good academic standing who are within six credits of completing graduation requirements may petition to participate in commencement exercises only if they can demonstrate that the remaining credits and requirements will be completed by August 31^st of that year. Students must submit their petition to the Associate Provost for Curriculum at least four weeks prior to Commencement. The commencement program will list all such students as completing degree requirements by August 31 of that year.

Commencement Roadmap

The Office of the Registrar oversees the provision of transcripts and ONLY issues official transcripts. To request an official transcript, students can complete the transcript request form on the Office of the Registrar website. All other details regarding transcripts can also be found on that webpage.

Current students can access their unofficial transcript at any time via myGoucher. Unofficial transcripts are not currently available to students after graduating, as access to myGoucher is suspended after students achieve alum status.

Please note that as many students request transcripts immediately following spring semester, processing timelines may be delayed. Students should expect delays in transcript request fulfillment during that time and plan accordingly.