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 a Religious Accommodation or 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 spring, note the due dates and activities (these dates are firm):
January 15, 2024: applications 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, 2024: last day to submit an application to graduate (on LORIS); late fee applies; apply by January 15 to avoid the late application fee (no exceptions)
April 8, 2024: last day of classes for second 6-week winter term; see Graduate Academic Calendar for Completion of Coursework
April 15, 2024: last day of classes for 13-week winter and fall/winter term courses; see Graduate Academic Calendar for Completion of Coursework
April 30, 2024: 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 13, 2024: 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 degree completion deadlines and the medal competition, see April 30, 2024, above
May 30, 2024: last day to submit MRP/thesis/dissertation (no exceptions) for possible refund of Spring term fees; will be eligible to graduate in Fall 2024
June 4, 2024: Brantford Campus ceremony
June 10-14, 2024: Waterloo Campus ceremonies
Academic medals are awarded on the basis of overall academic standing. Only students who have met all the degree requirements by April 30, 2024 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
Can I apply to graduate before I have finished my degree?
Yes; if you are nearing the end of your degree requirements, you should apply to graduate (on LORIS) before January 15 to avoid the late application fee; late application fee applies to all applications submitted between January 16 and April 1, 2024.
What happens if I apply to graduate, but I don’t complete all the requirements by the deadline?
See academic dates in the graduate calendar. Your graduation application will be postponed until the next convocation cycle (Fall 2024). You do not need to re-apply to graduate in the next cycle, but you will be contacted by the Registrar’s Office to confirm whether you would like to re-activate your application for 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 13, 2024.
How do I apply to graduate?
You apply to graduate on LORIS.
I have applied to graduate but need to request an extension to complete coursework. How do I do that?
Complete a Request for a Religious Accommodation or Extension to Complete Coursework form.
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).
I want to be considered for the medal competition – what do I need to do?
Only students who have met all the degree requirements by April 30, 2024 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.