How to Apply for Graduation

We recommend that students begin the process of applying for graduation two quarters before their anticipated graduation point.  For many students, this would mean applying in Fall Quarter to graduate at the end of Spring Quarter. This will allow the student to successfully meet the priority degree application deadline and will also allow enough time to make any necessary modifications due to unforeseen circumstances, overlooked requirements or scheduling conflicts.

If you are a physics or astronomy minor seeking a minor evaluation for degree application, you must follow these same steps to obtain the departmental approval note.

(1) Review Degree Application Requirements

Degree applications are managed by the Registrar's Office. Visit the Degree Application webpage to review the process including application deadlines, requirements and access to the official form. Before submitting your degree application, you must first obtain a major/minor evaluation approval note, based on departmental review of your course plan for your remaining quarters at Western.

(2) Review Degree Works Worksheet

Identify any remaining degree requirements for your major or minor by reviewing your Degree Works Worksheet. Use Browse Classes and the department's Schedule of Electives to create a course plan to satisfy any remaining course requirements prior to graduation. Use the What If audit feature (with the "use current curriculum" box checked) in Degree Works to verify how the courses you selected will apply to your major or minor requirements.

(3) Complete a What If Report in Degree Works

Finalize your What If audit by adding your planned courses (omitting ones that you are currently registered for or have completed) and process the report. There is no option to save your What If audit, so you'll need to print to pdf and email a copy to the department manager for approval. Any new course substitutions or waivers for coursework listed on your Degree Works Worksheet must also be approved by the Department Chair. 

After reviewing and verifying the feasibility of your proposed course plan, the department manager will enter a note in Degree Works that your application to graduate with the relevant major or minor has been approved.  This note satisfies the "major/minor evaluation" requirement of the Degree Application. You will be notified by email when the note has been entered.

(4) Submit Completed Degree Application

After your approval note has been entered by the Department in Degree Works, you may submit your completed Degree Application form(s) to the  Registrar’s Office. The folks in the Registrar's Office will be looking for the approval note when reviewing your application.

Degree Works

Degree Works is an academic planning and degree evaluation tool that reflects your academic progress towards the completion of your program of study at Western. Degree Works is designed to help you track degree progress and know which courses to take to plan your path to graduation. The Registrar's office has instructions for students about how to access Degree Works and use the What If feature.