Southern Methodist University • Enrollment Services • University Registrar • Graduation and Diploma Services
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Graduation and Diploma Services

 
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To Apply for Graduation:
Applications for Candidacy to Graduate are available through your school of record. Please contact your graduation adviser. Beginning with May 2013 graduation, students will apply for graduation online through the Student Center on Access.SMU. You will be contacted by your school of record informing you that you are eligible to apply for graduation. You will receive this notification in October 2012.

Last date to file for August 2012 graduation - June 5, 2012
Last date to file for December 2012 graduation - August 24, 2012
Last date to file for May 2013 graduation - January 25, 2013

Beginning Fall 2011 a $70 late fee will be applied to a student’s account when the Registrar’s Office receives an Application for Candidacy to Graduate (ACG) after the conferral date noted in the SMU academic catalog. The above fee will be in addition to the standard $45 Apply to Graduate Fee assessed to all graduation candidates.

**Students in the Master of Arts in Dispute Resolution or Master of Science in Counseling programs should contact SMU-in-Plano for filing dates.**
 


Degree Certification and Apostille
International companies or institutions may require a certified copy of a diploma for the purpose of employment or to attend educational institutions. The University Registrar’s Office can assist you in obtaining the degree certifications. SMU degree certifications are accepted both domestically and internationally.

If you have in your possession your diploma:

You may bring your diploma to the University Registrar's Office located in the Laura Lee Blanton Building, Room 101 (Student Records and Student Accounts). The University Registrar’s Office will provide a set of three notarized copies of your diploma for a fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00). The documents include the signature of the Associate Registrar, the Notary’s seal, signature, and expiration date of the Notary.

If you do not have access to your diploma or it’s no longer available:

A replacement diploma will need to be ordered through the University Registrar’s Office. It may take 3-4 weeks for the new diploma to arrive. Please complete the Replacement Diploma Request form and return with payment (check, money order or credit card). For faster processing, you may fax the Replacement Diploma Request form with your credit card information. Once the University Registrar’s Office has received your diploma, we will then begin the degree certification process.

The Apostille seal is affixed to the documents by the Secretary of State’s Office in Austin, Texas. For the mailing address and price information for the Apostille, please contact the Texas Secretary of State Office.

Once the certifications have been processed and notarized by the University Registrar’s Office, the following options are available for obtaining the Apostille:

For additional assistance please contact Jackie Wilborn, Manager of Diploma Services at jwilborn@smu.edu or 214-768-2048.


 Diploma Names
A student may request a name change on his/her diploma provided it meets the University requirements as stated below.
The name that will appear on the graduate's diploma will be selected from the following:

  • The name printed on the SMU diploma reflects the legal name listed in ACCESS.SMU.

  • The "Primary" name in ACCESS.SMU is the field which will be used to print on the diploma.

  • The "Preferred" name is not an option to be printed on the diploma.


The  "Degree" name can include the following:

  • A first name may be shortened to an initial (e.g. Larry is now "L").

  • An initial can be expanded (e.g., J is now Judy).

  • A middle name can be added that is not currently listed in ACCESS.SMU (e.g., John Doe is now John "Michael" Doe).

With the exceptions above, first and last name changes cannot be removed, altered, or printed on a diploma without proper documentation that the name change has legally occurred. This is verified via the social security number (SSN) or a valid passport.
A student should provide either an original Social Security Card (or the form issued by the Social Security Administration verifying that application has been made) or a valid passport. A student may take either document to the University Registrar and a copy will be made. The original document will immediately be returned to the student.

The University Registrar is located in the Laura Blanton Student Services Bldg., Room 101, 6185 Airline Rd.

Office hours are as follows:

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

  • Wednesday - 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A student may also mail a notarized copy of the social security card. The notary stamp must be visible.

       USPS Mailing Address
       University Registrar
       Southern Methodist University
       PO Box 750181
       Dallas, TX 75275-0181


Degree Honors
The minimum graduation honors GPA's are announced in October for each academic year. The minimum GPA's represent the top 5 percent, 10 percent, and 15 percent in the five undergraduate schools – Cox, Dedman (including Evening Studies), Lyle, Meadows, and Simmons.
http://smu.edu/registrar/Latin_Honor.asp
 


Diploma Mailings
May 2013 diplomas will be distributed during the diploma presentation ceremonies on Saturday, May 18, 2013. Diplomas not picked up during the ceremonies will be returned to the University Registrar's Office. Students may pick up diplomas on May 23 from the University Registrar's Office located in the Laura Lee Blanton Building, Room 101. All remaining diplomas will be mailed to the home address listed for the student. Please make sure to check Access.SMU to verify you have a correct address listed.

NOTE: Candidates who owe money to the University may not receive their diploma until their account has been cleared.

 

Diploma Information and Size
Diplomas contain the graduate's name, degree name, conferral date, signature of the academic Dean(s), and the officials who are currently in office.

Majors are not printed on the diplomas. However, a diploma with majors printed is available for purchase.
(See Replacement Diploma below)

Diplomas are printed in the two sizes below:
Undergraduate diplomas are 8 ½ x 11.
Graduate and Professional diplomas are 11 x 14.

 

Current Students
Graduation candidates who successfully complete degree requirements are awarded degrees through their academic school of record. The University Registrar orders diplomas at the conclusion of each academic term. With the exception of May candidates, diplomas are mailed directly from the vendor to the candidate’s address that is provided in ACCESS.SMU. Students are notified via e-mail when their diplomas have been shipped.

 

Replacement Diploma
You may request an additional copy of your diploma by completing the Replacement Diploma Request Form and returning it with payment. If you wish to have your major printed on a replacement copy, this option is available for an additional fee. (See section entitled Fees on the Replacement Diploma Request form).

The form may be returned:

  • In person: Laura Lee Blanton Building, Room 101 (Student Records and Student Accounts)

  • By mail: Southern Methodist University, University Registrar, PO Box 750181, Dallas, TX 75275-0181)

  • By fax: (214)768-2507

This information is also located on the Replacement Diploma Request form.

The University Registrar’s Office is open from 9am-4pm M,T,Th, Fri.; Wed. from 10am-4pm.

 

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