Graduation verses Commencement
It happens daily: a learner calls in and asks about the process involved for graduating with their PhD. This is an exciting time, and rightfully so! Still, there are processes involved, and from my experience, some clarification is required for nearly every learner who is at this stage.
Learners are eligible to apply for graduation when they have completed Milestone 8 of their dissertation – this means they have completed milestones 1-7, and have a mentor- approved Chapter 4. At that time, there is an application available on iGuide. The learner fills it out, submits it, and once approved by the Registrar, they are notified that their application has been approved. The notification includes the information the learner needs to apply for commencement. You need to be approved for graduation before you can be eligible to walk in the commencement.
Wait a minute! Apply for commencement? There is another, separate process? YES! If a learner is approved for graduation, that essentially means the Registrar has confirmed they are indeed completed through milestone 8. This also means that there is now an established expected date of graduation. And, it means that if the learner wants to, they can participate in the commencement ceremony. Commencement is just that: a ceremony. It is not the completion of the dissertation or PhD, and learners are not able to use any title or credential after walking across that stage. It is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and progress in their program, and share that with their loved ones. Capella currently holds two commencement ceremonies each year.
Graduation only occurs after the degree has been conferred. This can occur at the end of any month, but it is only after the learner receives a notification indicating that their degree-conferred transcript is ready, that they are considered graduated. It is at this time that the credentials may be used.
A word of caution here: use of credentials includes adding “PhD” behind your name, or representing yourself as a PhD. The use of “ABD” and/or “PhD Candidate” is inappropriate, as they are not earned credentials. Only a regionally or nationally approved certification (not certificate) or a completed degree should be included behind any learner’s name. I add this because we see this type of issue frequently!
In summary, if you are working on your dissertation and are collecting data and writing your Chapter 4, you should be having a conversation with your advisor about applying for graduation!
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February 9th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
This is very helpful information. I was unaware of such a process that must take place before recieving the final degree.
February 10th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Donna:
Thank you for your honesty. I think that most of us believe that we know most of the parts of any process or program, but it is always a good idea to verify each individual step. The devil is in the details – that is really where this process is made or lost.
I don’t always remember the exact way to hook up my digital camera to download pictures to my computer – I don’t do it everyday, so I forget parts of it. So, I need to review the important steps that are salient each and every time, to be sure that I don’t overlook something critical. The doctoral and dissertation processes are the same – always be sure what you should be doing! I tell learners it’s like your job – you certainly aren’t going to assume you know a new process!
I am glad I could provide you useful information!
Johnna Williams
February 13th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Johnna, thank you for the helpful clarification. Here’s one way I think about it…the difference between “commencement” and “graduation” is similar to the nuance separating a “wedding” and “marriage.”
Most of us think of both subjects synonymously because they often happen together. However, they’re very different. The “wedding\commencement” is a ceremony that celebrates the paper certificate that you get with a “marriage\graduation.” You CAN have one without the other, though it doesn’t happen often.
This isn’t a bullet-proof comparison, but it helps me keep them straight!
Great topic–thanks!
Cathy
February 16th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Cathy:
This is a great analogy! I think of the two as completely separate events, but certainly there is a ton of overlap, as they relate to each other intimately. You are correct: you can commence without graduating, and you can graduate without commencing. Most people want to attend the commencement, though, (I think) so that they can give something back to their support system – their family! It really is an awesome event.
Thanks for your feedback!
Johnna
March 4th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Hello All,
Three of my friends are graduating in March, I plan on being there to support them. Does anyone know what the protocol is for Capella Learners to attend the ceremonies?
Cynthia
March 9th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Cynthia:
The protocol for attending Capella’s commencement is that each learner who is participating (walking) is allowed 4 tickets. Any additional tickets must be requested by the learner in advance, as space is limited for this occasion. Here is the policy/process from iGuide:
To ensure that there is room for all graduates to have guests in attendance at the Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, we need to limit each graduate to four guest tickets for a ceremony. Attendees will receive their guest tickets when they check-in for the commencement weekend. Please note the commencement schedule to ensure that you are checked-in for the event in time to pick up your guest tickets. If tickets are not picked up by the ceremony’s check-in deadline, they will be given out to waiting guests on a first come, first served basis.
So, if one of your friends provides you a ticket, you are set! If not, you may be able to get one of those that aren’t picked up. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict how many of these there may be.
Johnna Williams