Because Open Studies graduate students graduate at different times of the year, "graduation" consists of two distinct phases: degree conferral and Commencement.
Because Open Studies graduate students graduate at different times of the year, "graduation" consists of two distinct phases: degree conferral and Commencement.
Once your degree is conferred, you are officially done and can update your resume. Degrees are conferred 10-15 days after the successful completion of the last course. This means 1) you get your diploma and 2) your MICA accounts are retired.
Unlike the undergrads and MFA students, you do NOT need to "apply for graduation."
Commencement is the celebration part of your graduation experience and takes place once per year, in May, for anyone who graduated during the preceding academic year (May Commencement is open to students whose degrees are conferred in May, the prior December, or the prior August). Information about how to attend the May Commencement will begin to go out in February; for August or December graduates, it will be emailed to the same email you designate for your digital diploma delivery, and for May graduates to your MICA emails.