For all Graduate Students, Graduate Student Advisors, and Graduate Program Directors

Graduate students, graduate student advisors and/or Graduate Program Directors should check coursework records to ensure that the candidate has completed all major degree requirements, as well as the following University Graduate Council criteria for graduation:

• Overall graduate GPA > 3.0
• Graduate GPA based on all graduate coursework attempted for the degree
• For repeated courses, both the original grade and the repeat grade included in the calculation of the GPA
• No more than 6 semester hours or 20% of the total semester hours attempted (whichever greater) at the "C" or below level
• No coursework approved for transfer below the grade of "B"; no coursework approved for transfer included in the calculation of the GPA
• 50% of the required coursework designated exclusively for graduate students (600 or higher level at VCU)
• All Incomplete (I) grades converted to a letter grade by the last day of class of the semester in which the candidate plans to graduate
• All grades of Continued (CO) converted to a letter grade by the last day of class of the semester in which the candidate plans to graduate
• All coursework taken within prescribed time limits (Master's, 5 years with 2 possible one-year extensions; Ph.D., 7 years with any extensions approved by the Graduate School)
• Candidate enrolled at the time of application/reapplication to graduate (i.e., the semester in which the candidate plans to graduate)
• All requirements for thesis/dissertation (if applicable) completed by the last day of class of the semester in which the candidate plans to graduate, including
• Final defense of thesis/dissertation
• Signature sheet with all Student Committee and Department signatures, signature of the Dean of the School of Medicine and the Dean of Graduate Studies is obtained through the Office of Graduate Education, School of Medicine
• Required copies submitted to VCU Libraries, with appropriate forms and fees, for binding, copywriting (if applicable), etc., according to instructions in the University Graduate Council's Thesis/Dissertation Manual and program/department/school handbooks (Students should confirm with advisors/program directors regarding internal schedules for submission of copy, defense, and approval.)
• Submission of Survey of Earned Doctorates to Graduate Dean through the Office of Graduate Education, School of Medicine (Doctoral students only)
• Student must settle all financial obligations with VCU Office of Student Accounting