Degree Plans and Applications
All students planning to graduate must complete an application for degree. Students are responsible for knowing and completing all the requirements for their degrees as outlined in the catalog. The student should use the following steps regarding the degree application.
Guidelines for Completing Application for Degree
If you have problems with these forms, please call the Registrar’s Office, 601-318-6195.
Review the options of degree applications and select the appropriate degree form; i.e, BA (Bachelor of Arts), BS (Bachelor of Science), etc.
- Download the appropriate degree application.
- Use an unofficial transcript obtained from the Indigo Student Portal to input the data.Complete the bio data. Please use your official name(s) only. No nicknames.
- Enter the course number and grades for the classes that you have completed. For the classes you have not yet taken, the Registrar’s Office will fill that in upon completion.
- Meet with your advisor to ensure all classes are or will be completed in the upcoming trimesters. Print the final draft of the degree application and obtain the appropriate signatures.
- Upload the signed Degree Application via the link provided to file your degree your degree application.
File Application
On this form you will be able to pay the one time, non-refundable fee according to the student’s degree level.
- Undergraduate - $50
- Masters fee - $100
- Specialist/Doctoral fee - $150
The deadline to apply for the degree is one trimester prior to the term of completion. The specific dates are reflected on the Academic Trimester Calendar, but are planned as follows:
- The Friday prior to Thanksgiving is the deadline for February completion and May commencement.
- The Friday prior to Spring Break is the deadline for August commencement and November completion.
Applications submitted beyond the deadline will be charged a late fee of $50 within the first 30 days after the deadline; $100 within 60 days; $150 within 90 days, etc., until the FINAL deadline approximately two weeks before graduation due the printing of the programs and diplomas.
Preparing for Graduation
Depending on the student’s degree, several items need to be addressed before graduation to prepare for ‘life’ after commencement.
Education
Students seeking Education degrees should meet with the Education Department to fill out the licensure application (if needed) and request a transcript from the Registrar’s Office to be sent after the degree has been conferred. The student also needs to update their information in ELMS.
Nursing
Students seeking Nursing degrees should meet with the Nursing Department to fill out the licensure application, and complete any state requirements. Then, request a transcript from the Registrar’s Office to be sent after the degree has been conferred.
Transcripts
The transcript request form is available on the William Carey University home page. The fee is $5.00 per transcript, and your payment method must be Visa, Mastercard and Discover card. It cannot be American Express.
There is a 24 – 48 hour turnaround upon receipt of your request of transcript to be processed. If there is a hold on your account, you will be notified, and the hold must be taken care of before the request can be fulfilled.
Within the first 6 months after graduation and the student signs up with the William Carey Alumni Association, ONE transcript will be issued to the student free of charge.
As you approach graduation…
You will receive several emailed** letters to your William Carey University (WCU) student email concerning graduation. Depending on the date the degree application is filed, the Degree Audit Letter will be the first letter you receive. This email will be sent before your last trimester begins. If there are classes you still have to take, those will be listed, as well as any other details you may need to complete. You can also check this information on the Indigo Student Portal under Check Student Status.
The Commencement Details Letter from Mrs. Debby Hill, the University Registrar, contains more news about the commencement ceremonies. This email will include details about the date and time of your ceremony and your cap and gown order, as well as information about the photographers that will be at the ceremonies. If you need any accommodations to make your way across the stage, please contact Mrs. Hill any time prior to your commencement ceremony with instructions of what you need.
Finally, The Congratulatory Letter you receive will be from Dr. Tommy King, WCU President, within the last two weeks before the ceremonies. It will contain information about commencement etiquette and of what will be expected of you at the ceremony.
**Remember to check your WCU student email for these letters. Official emails will not be sent to personal email addresses due to potential FERPA violations.
Please refer to the WCU Commencement webpage for updated information.
If you are unable to attend the commencement ceremony, fill out the Graduate in Absentia form. You can choose to pick up your diploma from the Hattiesburg campus the week after graduation, or your diploma can be mailed to you for a small fee ($10 for undergraduate and graduate, $15 for doctoral).
If you complete your degree at the end of the Fall or Winter terms, a completion statement can be placed on your transcript upon your request if you wish to receive your diploma at the Commencement Ceremony. The diplomas will be conferred with the May or August Commencements.
Degrees - check back for future updates
Art
Biological Sciences
Business
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Science in Business (Accounting) - Must see advisor for degree plan
- Bachelor of Science in Business (Computer Information Systems) - Must see advisor for degree plan
- Bachelor of Science in Business (Finance) - Must see advisor for degree plan
- Bachelor of Science in Business (Management & Marketing) - Must see advisor for degree plan
- Master of Business Administration - Must see advisor for degree plan
- Master of Business Administration/Master of Science in Nursing
Criminal Justice
Education
English
History
Music
Nursing
Psychology
Religion
Spanish
College of Osteopathic Medicine
All candidates for May graduation are required to file applications for their degree by January 15th. The fee for the degree application is $150.00. Degree applications received after January 15th will be assessed a late fee of $200.00. The late and final deadline for all applications to be received is January 29th. The fee must accompany the degree application at the time it is turned in.
Guidelines for Completing Application for Degree
- Enter all information on the form before downloading and printing it.
- Enter only your official name (no nicknames) that you wish to be on your diploma.
- Complete all the information at the top of the form.
- The courses and hours have been filled in for you. You will only have to fill in your grades earned for specific courses by the deadline date.
- Leave the grades blank for courses you have not had or completed by the application deadline.
- After all information has been entered, download the form, and return with your signature and payment to the Assistant to the Registrar of the WCU COM. The form must be reviewed and signed by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs of the WCU COM and the Assistant to the Registrar of the WCU COM before being turned in to the WCU registrar's office.
