Graduation and Postdoctoral Affairs

• Graduation Information
  • Application for Degree (Graduation)
  • Graduation Requirements
  • Commencement
  • Diplomas
  • Letters of Certification
  • Transcripts
• Posthumous Degrees and Degrees in Memoriam
• Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

To graduate, a student must submit the Application for Degree online through Student Self-Service.  This application must be submitted in the term of expected graduation by the deadline noted in the academic calendar. If a student applies for graduation and is not approved, a new Application for Degree must be submitted by the deadline in a new term. In order for the degree statement to appear on a student’s academic record, the student must file the aforementioned application whether or not participation in the commencement ceremony is desired.

The application for a graduate degree is online at https://www.usf.edu/registrar/services/apply-for-graduation/index.aspx

Inquiries concerning approval or denial of graduation should be made to the appropriate college. It is the student’s responsibility to clear all “I” (Incomplete) and “M” (Missing) grades in all courses and to provide official transcripts of all transferred course work needed for graduation at least three weeks prior to the end of the term in which he/she expects to graduate.

Graduation Requirements

It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that he/she has met all degree requirements (e.g. be In good standing  ) as specified in the Policies and Degree Requirements sections of this publication, as well as any College and Major requirements for the degree. Students must apply for graduation to have the degree conferred.  Note - Application for graduation is a separate process from registering for the commencement ceremony.

Commencement

Graduate students may not participate in commencement exercises until all requirements for the degree sought have been fulfilled. Please check with the Commencement Office for more information: https://www.usf.edu/commencement/

Diplomas

Diplomas are mailed to the student’s permanent address approximately six (6) weeks after commencement after the conclusion of the student’s final semester. Students with a change of address need to fill out a change of address form at the Registrar’s office/Registration and Records Office (St. Petersburg and Sarasota/Manatee).Frequently asked questions: https://www.usf.edu/registrar/faq/index.aspx. Questions regarding diplomas and degree certification should be directed to graduation@usf.edu or 9813-974-2000.

Letters of Certification

Students in need of verification of the degree prior to receiving their diploma may request a Letter of Certification. This letter specifies that the student has finished all of the requirements for the degree and the date the degree will be conferred on. The letter must include the student’s university identification (U-ID) Number, name of major and official name of the degree. The Major Professor, the College Dean (or designee), the Department Chair or Graduate Director (or designee), the Dean (or Designee) in the Office of Graduate Studies (Graduate Academic Advisor only in Sarasota), and the Registrar must sign the Letter of Certification. A template for the Certification Letter is available on the Office of Graduate Studies website at http://www.grad.usf.edu/student-forms.php

Transcripts

Transcripts of a student’s USF academic record may be requested by the student through the Office of the Registrar/Office of Records and Registration. A student’s academic record can only be released upon authorization of the student. Students requesting transcripts may do so in person or on the Office of the Registrar website: http://www.registrar.usf.edu/.

Posthumous Degrees and Degrees in Memoriam

Reference – USF Policy 10-047 - https://usf.app.box.com/v/usfpolicy10-047

Award of Posthumous Degrees

The University of South Florida may award a posthumous master’s, doctoral, or medical degree to a student who was in good academic standing at the time of his or her death and who had completed all critical requirements for the degree. To award a non-thesis degree, the student would need to have completed all courses required for the degree. Courses required for the degree, in which students are enrolled at the time of his or her death, must have been completed to the satisfaction of the faculty so that passing grades might be posted. All other degree requirements must have been satisfied as well. To award a thesis or dissertation degree, all courses must be completed as described above and the thesis/dissertation must be sufficiently complete to the satisfaction of the faculty so that certification of completion may be posted to the student’s record.

Award of Degrees in Memoriam

USF may award master’s, doctoral, or medical degrees in memoriam to a student who was in good academic standing at the time of his or her death.

Procedures for Award of Posthumous Degrees or Degrees in Memoriam

Departmental Chairs, or appropriate faculty members, on their own initiative or upon request of a student’s family, may recommend a posthumous, or an in memoriam degree, by forwarding the recommendation to the respective Dean of the appropriate college. If approved by the Dean, the request, accompanied by supporting documentation, will be forwarded to the Dean of Graduate Studies (respective to the degree type at USF) or to the Chief Academic Officer at USF St. Petersburg or USF Sarasota/Manatee for approval. If the Dean or Chief Academic Officer approves the recommendation, the institution’s Office of the Registrar will be notified. Posthumous degrees and in memoriam Degrees may also be presented to the student’s family in an appropriate setting, which may include the ceremony held in fall and spring terms. A posthumous degree may be awarded at a commencement ceremony.

Note:
Diplomas for posthumous degrees will be identical to other degrees awarded in the same colleges and majors. Diplomas for Degrees in Memoriam will be prepared to read “Master of Arts in Memoriam, Master of Science in Memoriam,” “Doctor of Philosophy in Memoriam,” etc., depending upon the degree the student was pursuing at the time of his or her death.

Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) serves as an administrative and academic center of excellence for postdoctoral scholars, and ensures they have an exemplary professional and personal development experience while at USF. It fosters a robust postdoctoral community, provides opportunities to enhance the postdoctoral experience and future success of its constituents, and serves as a dedicated resource for postdoctoral scholars, faculty, and administrators.

Objectives of the OPA:

• Provide guidance to colleges and postdoctoral scholars throughout the hiring process.
• Establish, maintain, and evaluate postdoctoral policies.
• Build collaboration among postdoctoral scholars, colleges, and graduate students.
• Offer professional development workshops for postdoctoral scholars and their mentors.
• Provide 1-1 advising and career coaching to postdoctoral scholars and graduate students.
• Maintain a detailed database of current and alumni postdoctoral scholars.
• Curate, quality assure, and submit postdoctoral data for university, state, national and international reports.
• Facilitate the development of a USF Postdoctoral Association.

For more information, please see https://www.usf.edu/postdoctoral-affairs/