Graduation Guide for Graduate Students

Did you know that you need to apply to graduate?

Before you can graduate, the Registrar's Office needs to make sure that you have completed all of your degree requirements. We do that using the Application for Graduation. All degree- and certificate-seeking students must submit an Application for Graduation.

What's the difference between graduation and Commencement?

  • Graduation: At FLC, you have not officially "graduated" until the Registrar confirms that you have completed all of your degree requirements and the College awards your degree. This process is not generally complete until about 6 weeks after the semester has ended.
  • Commencement: Commencement is the ceremony where we celebrate students who are graduating. Graduating students invite their friends and families, wear their regalia, walk across the stage, shake hands with the College president, and celebrate. Participating in Commencement is sometimes called "walking", which refers to the tradition of walking across the stage to be recognized for your achievement.

Applying for Graduation

Application for Graduation Deadlines

  • Spring (May 2022) Graduation: Friday, January 7, 2022 (Late deadline: Tuesday, February 1)
  • Summer (August 2022) Graduation: Friday, January 7, 2022 (Late deadline: Tuesday, February 1)
  • Fall 2022 (December 2022) Conferral/Graduation Date: Friday, August 5, 2022 (Late deadline: Tuesday, September 13)

Commencement/Walking

Students who need to take a summer course(s) need to select the summer conferral/ graduation date when applying to graduate. Spring and summer graduates walk in the commencement ceremony in April/May. No particular action is needed for summer students to participate in the Spring ceremony student are automatically included.   We do not offer a summer commencement ceremony. 

Commencement ceremonies are held twice per year: one in December following the fall semester and one in late April or early May following the spring semester. A student with an approved Application for Graduation for spring and summer may participate in the April/May commencement ceremony. Those approved for fall may participate in the December commencement ceremony.

Apply for Graduation (Step-By Step-Guide)

Step 1: Register for Your Last Semester of Classes

  • In general, you have to be registered for the last of your degree requirements before you can apply to graduate.
  • If you will be taking a final requirement at another school, testing out of a course, or substituting one course for another, you can still apply to graduate, but you need to include documentation explaining how you intend to fulfill those final requirements.

Step 2: Run a Degree Audit

  • Once you've registered for your final classes, it's time to make sure you're ready to go. Your WebOPUS degree audit is the best way to do this. Your degree audit tells you what your degree requirements are and whether or not you have fulfilled those requirements.
  • Running a degree audit is easy:
    • Log in to WebOPUS
      • Click the "My Student Profile" tab then "My Degree Audit" 
  • Once you are in your degree audit, it should be easy to tell whether or not you have met the requirements.
    • All requirements marked in green are done.
    • If requirements are marked in blue, it means you are currently registered for a class that fulfills those requirements.
    • Requirements marked in red have not been fulfilled.
  • So, if you open of your degree audit and you see only green and blue, you are good to go (as long as you successfully pass all the classes you are registered for).
  • If you see red, you need to take a closer look to see what you're missing.
    • If you are missing any degree requirements, now is the moment to make changes to your schedule so you can complete those final requirements.

Do you have questions, or do you need assistance figuring out your degree audit?

  • Come by Skyhawk Station! Skyhawk Station staff are here to help. You can also make an appointment with your professional advisor.

Step 3: Submit your Application for Graduation

  • Once you've confirmed that you will have fulfilled all of your degree requirements by the end of your final semester, it's time to submit your Application for Graduation.
     
    • Current Graduate Students: Application for Graduation
      • You will be directed to a confirmation page when you submit your application. If you do not get a confirmation page, your application did not go through.
  • Exceptions and Substitutions: If you need to provide documentation for exceptions or substitutions, email the appropriate paperwork to the Graduation Check email.
  • How long will it take to review my application? Applications submitted by the deadline will be processed within seven weeks. When a decision has been made, you will receive an email at your FLC email address notifying you of the final status of your application.

Step 4: Check Your FLC Email

  • Last but not least, make sure you are checking your FLC email regularly. All official communications about your application and graduation-related announcements will be sent to your FLC email.
    • Skyhawk Station staff will email you if there are any issues with your application.
    • You will receive an email notifying you of the status of your application once we have finished processing it.

Check the Status of Your Application for Graduation

You can view the status of your Application for Graduation on WebOPUS.

  • Log in to WebOPUS
  • Click "My Student Profile"
  • Click "Placement-Grad App Status- FERPA"
  • Your status will be listed under "Status of Application to Graduate"

Understanding Your Status

  • Blank: You have not submitted an application (this is the default).
  • Application Pending: Your application has been received by the Registrar’s Office and awaits review.
  • Application Approved: Your application has been reviewed and approved. You are officially eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony that corresponds with your graduation term.
  • Application Denied: Your application has been denied. You may appeal (see below) or submit a new application for a later graduation date.
  • Degree Awarded: You degree has official been awarded by the College.
  • Failure to Complete: Your degree was not awarded because you did not complete all of your degree requirements as expected. You need to re-apply once you have completed your requirements, or you are registered to complete your requirements.

Graduation Fee

You will be charged an $80 graduation fee when you submit your application. The fee covers the cost of your graduation regalia (cap and gown) and other associated costs. You will be charged the fee even if you do not intend to participate in Commencement. 

Application Denial Appeal

If your application was denied, you may appeal that decision.

To appeal, you just need to submit and new Application for Graduation. On your new application, make sure that you document how you will complete all missing degree requirements by the end of the semester during which you would like to graduate.

Appeal Deadlines

  • Fall (December 2021) Graduation: The Friday before Thanksgiving Break in November
  • Spring (May 2022) Graduation: The last business day of March
  • Summer (August 2022) Graduation: The last business day of July (you will not be permitted to participate in Commencement)

Questions & Assistance

If you have any questions, or if you would like assistance with your application, stop by Skyhawk Station, send us an email, or give us a call at 970-247-7301. We’re here to help!