Graduation Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I received a letter from Armstrong after I applied for graduation, but haven't heard from Armstrong since. Why?

A: You completed an application that indicated the courses that you and your advisor agreed would satisfy any course requirements you have remaining to qualify you for graduation. After you apply, we do a thorough review of your status toward graduation. Within two weeks of receiving your application, we send you a letter notifying you of any deficiencies you may have including GPA requirements, hours required, exit exams, Regents' requirements, and courses you are missing. If you follow the course schedule as planned by your advisor AND complete any additional requirements we notify you about, there is no reason for us to contact you. In this case, "no news is good news." We monitor your progress after each term. If you deviate from the courses stated on your application, we contact your department head prior to contacting you. If we have further questions or concerns the department head of your major will contact you. If you deviate from the courses listed on your application for graduation, please have your advisor email the assistant registrar so adjustments can be made to your application. Failure to provide schedule changes could result in your failure to graduate.
 

Q: I completed my degree requirements early. Why can't I get my diploma now?

A: Diplomas are ordered after the commencement ceremonies in fall and spring and are mailed to students approximately 4 - 6 weeks after commencement. Diplomas are ordered after the degree award date (last day of exams) in summer and are mailed to students approximately 4- 6 weeks after that date.
 

Q: I am not going to finish my requirements on schedule and need to delay my graduation. What do I need to do?

A: You need to inform the Registrar's Office in writing as soon as possible. We can move your application to the next graduation easily. It saves time, effort, and expense if you inform us right away. It can also save you from getting the dreaded "you are not graduating" phone call.
 

Q: When will my degree be posted on my transcript?

A: We try to have your degree posted on your transcript by the end of the month in which you graduate. If you have a special situation that requires you have your degree on your transcript sooner, please let us know. We will work with you on an individual basis.
 

Q: My Grade Point Average (GPA) is pretty low. What is the minimum GPA that is required to graduate?

A: A 2.00 GPA is the required minimum for undergraduate students and a 3.00 GPA is the required minimum GPA for graduate students.. You must meet the minimum GPA on both overall and institutional GPAs. Your institutional GPA is based on the course work you complete at Armstrong only. The overall GPA is calculated on your Armstrong work, plus any course work completed at other universities. Some degree programs have higher GPA requirements. Please consult the catalog for complete details for the program requirements on the degree you are seeking.
 

Q: My GPA is pretty high. What are the requirements to receive honors?

A: There is no honor designation at Armstrong for graduate students.  Honors for undergraduate students are awarded on overall GPA. The minimum overall GPA required to receive honors is 3.20. This qualifies you for Cum Laude. There are award steps for higher GPA's. Requirements for honors are explained in detail in the current catalog.

Honors at graduation are based on your previous terms of attendence. Once all grades are in, we will review your record for honors again. This means that what is announced and what you earn may be different. It may even mean that you will not earn honors even though honors are announced at graduation. We cannot calculate your GPA early to see if you qualify. If you finish your requirements the term prior to graduation, we will base your standing on your final overall GPA.

Academic honors will not be awarded to second-degree recipients unless the student specifically requests an "award evaluation" in writing from the Registrar's Office. This is in accordance with the Armstrong catalog.

Students that received Academic Renewal must request an honors evaluation. The honors evaluation means that we will include ALL work from your academic record, including courses eliminated from your GPA under Academic Renewal process.
 

Q: I have repeated some courses. Which one of the grades count?

A: Policy before Fall 2012:
When a course is repeated, only the last grade earned counts in earned hours requirements, grade point average hours and overall grade point average.  All course work taken remains on the students' academic records.  Students may repeat any course.  However, the grade earned in the last attempt will determine the number of quality points assigned for calculation of grade point average.

Policy effective Fall 2012 and after:
Students may repeat any course.  However, when a course is repeated, all grades earned for each attempt count in earned hours requirements, grade point average hours and overall grade point average.  All course work taken remains on the students' academic records.
 

Q: My advisor says I need an exit exam. What is that and why do I have to take it?

A: Students in undergraduate degree programs must take an exit exam in order to graduate. The university has the Measure of Proficiency and Progress (MAPP) (University Exit Exam). The MAPP is not a pass/fail test, but the results are recorded on your transcript. Student affairs will send you information about sign-up, costs, the exam contents, etc., as the time nears for the exam or you can go to http://www.armstrong.edu/Departments/testingservices/testingservices_welcome for the details of the exam. You can also find information regarding major field exams.

All undergraduate students are required to take the MAPP, except those that have already completed a Bachelor's degree or higher. If you were notified that you are required to take the MAPP and you feel that is incorrect, please contact the assistant registrar.

In addition to the MAPP, most majors have a departmental exit exam as well. You must satisfy these requirements to graduate. Contact your department for the required exit exam for your major, if any.
 

Q: What does the graduation fee cover?

A: It covers the cost of your cap and gown, tassel, diploma, diploma cover, and graduation programs.
 

Q: Can you help me order my cap and gown?

A: The bookstore handles caps and gowns for graduating seniors. You can also ask them about invitations and rings at 912.344.2603.
 

Q: I will not be able to attend graduation. What do I need to do?

A: Candidates for degrees, unless excused in writing by the Registrar's Office, must attend the graduation exercises at which degrees are conferred.  If you cannot attend, please email Craig Morrison at Craig.Morrison@armstrong.edu, mail a letter to the Office of the Registrar or send a fax to 912.344.3410 requesting to graduate in absentia.  You should include your name, your student identification number, the semester that you are graduating, a statement about not being able to attend, and any special delivery instructions for your diploma. 
 

Q: I am taking courses at another institution. When are these grades due?

A: Grades for courses taken at another institution are due when all Armstrong Atlantic State University grades are due. You must identify yourself to the professor and the registrar's office of the school you are attending to make arrangements to get the grades to Armstrong in a timely manner. This is your responsibility.  Failure to do so could prevent you from graduating. We will accept original letters and faxes from the institution's registrar's office. The letters/faxes must include any information that would appear on a transcript: name, social, course, grade, etc. Our fax number is 912.344.3470. Please note this is just sufficient to have your degree posted. We will not release your transcript until the original transcript is provided by the school you attended.
 

Q: How many people can I invite to my graduation?

A: Currently, there are no restrictions placed on the number of guests a student may invite to commencement.