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Convocation
Congratulations, you've almost completed your graduate degree at Laurier!
Convocation ceremonies take place in June (spring ceremonies) and October (fall ceremonies). Additional information on our convocation ceremonies including our guide to graduation can be found in the convocation section.
Use this guide to learn more about this last step in your academic career and how to prepare for graduation and convocation.
Remember that you are required to apply to graduate, regardless of whether you intend to participate in the scheduled ceremony events.
You can apply to graduate before the end of your degree requirements through LORIS by the application deadlines below to avoid the late application fee:
- Spring convocation: Jan. 15 (to avoid penalty fees); April 1 (final deadline; no forms will be accepted after this date and penalty fees apply)
- Fall convocation: Aug. 1 (to avoid penalty fees); August 15 (final deadline; no forms will be accepted after this date and penalty fees apply)
After you apply to graduate, check your status on LORIS under "Unofficial Record of Course Work."
The status of your application changes from "Applied for" to "Granted" once all of your final grades have been received, your record has been reviewed and you have met all program requirements for graduation.
If you require an extension to complete your coursework, complete the Request for an Extension to Complete Coursework form.
If you do not complete all your requirements by the deadline, your application will be postponed until the next convocation cycle. You do not need to re-apply to graduate in the next cycle.
If you expect to be eligible to graduate this fall, note the due dates and activities (these dates are firm):
January 15, 2023: Apply to graduate (on LORIS) due without late fee. We strongly encourage you to apply to graduate before this date – you do not have to have completed all degree requirements in order to apply to graduate.
April 1, 2023: Last day to submit an application to graduate (on LORIS). Late fee applies with no exceptions.
April 10, 2023: Last day of classes for second six-week spring term. See the Graduate Academic Calendar for Completion of Coursework.
April 17, 2023: Last day of classes for 13-week spring term and fall/winter term courses. See the Graduate Academic Calendar for Completion of Coursework.
April 28, 2023: Deadline for submitting post-defence copy of dissertation/thesis/MRP to Scholars Commons, and receipt in the FGPS of signed program/defence documentation to be eligible to graduate in spring term and for consideration for medal competition (no exceptions).
May 12, 2023: For students expecting to graduate, final date for submission of course work (only where an extension has been approved and documentation has been received in the FGPS). This deadline and its criteria address eligibility to graduate only, and not the medal competition.
- for submission of work to your instructor where an approved extension to complete coursework was granted (with documentation submitted to FGPS) and GSAC-approved extensions.
- for completion of all coursework including submission of final (post-defence) copy of dissertation/thesis/MRP (if applicable) to Scholars Commons, and receipt in FGPS of signed program/defence documentation.
May 30, 2023: Last day to submit MRP/thesis/dissertation (no exceptions) for possible refund of Spring term fees; will be eligible to graduate in Fall 2023.
June 6, 2023: Celebrate your success! Brantford campus convocation ceremonies.
June 12-16, 2023: Celebrate your success! Waterloo campus convocation ceremonies.
Academic medals are awarded on the basis of overall academic standing. Only students who have met all the degree requirements by April 28, 2023 are eligible for consideration.
It is the responsibility of your graduate program coordinator or your advisor to nominate you, and to complete the nomination package. They may ask for a copy of a current CV. If nominated, you will be notified of the decision of the selection committee in advance of convocation.
Governor General's Academic Medal
This medal is awarded at the fall convocation to the graduate student who achieves the highest academic standing in a master's or doctoral degree program at either the spring or fall convocation.
Medal of Academic Excellence: Doctoral Level
At each of the spring and fall convocations one Medal for Academic Excellence at the doctoral level may be awarded.
Medal of Academic Excellence: Master’s Level
At each of the spring and fall convocations the Medal for Academic Excellence will be awarded to the top master’s students in research-intensive and professional master’s program. Awards will be distributed as follows:
- Research-intensive master’s programs: For the first 50 research students graduating at convocation, one medal shall be awarded; for each additional 25 students, an additional medal shall be awarded.
- Professional master’s programs: For the first 50 master’s students graduating at convocation, one medal shall be awarded; for each additional 25 students, an additional medal shall be awarded.
Award for Outstanding Graduate Work
All students nominated by a graduate program, but unsuccessful, for the Medal of Academic Excellence (doctoral and master’s) competition will be eligible to receive the Award for Outstanding Graduate Work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I apply to graduate, but I don't complete all the requirements by the deadline?
See the Graduate Academic Calendar. Your graduation application will be postponed until the next convocation cycle (Fall 2023). You do not need to re-apply to graduate in the next cycle.
I’m not interested in being considered for the medal competition, so what is the latest that I can finish all degree requirements (including any approved extension to complete coursework) and still graduate this spring?
All degree requirements must be completed (including receipt in the FGPS of post-defense paperwork and to your professor, any remaining coursework for which you have an approved extension) by May 12, 2023. If you complete your degree requirements after May 12, 2023, you will be ineligible to graduate in spring 2023.
I am graduating this spring and took a course at another university; will my grade arrive in time to meet Laurier’s deadline?
We are not able to guarantee receipt of grades expected from other institutions. You are encouraged to connect with your instructor(s) at your host institution to advise them that you are expecting to graduate, pending successful completion of the course(s). You may also need to arrange for the submission to the FGPS of an official transcript (joint program students exempted).
My graduate program is in Brantford, and my convocation dates are different from Waterloo campus programs. Do these dates apply to me?
Yes, these dates apply to all graduate students who are expecting to graduate this spring.