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Commencment
Q: When does Commencement take place?
A: Commencement takes place once a year at the end of the spring semester.
Q: Who is eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremony?
A: Undergraduate and graduate students must complete all degree requirements by the end of the spring semester to be eligible to participate in Commencement. A student must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 at the end of the previous fall semester, as well as a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in the major.
An exception may be made for undergraduate students who will be missing no more than 6 credits by the end of the spring semester. An Application for Inclusion in Commencement must be completed by the student and approved by the Liberal Arts and Sciences department chair, the studio department chair and the Registrar for the student to be eligible to participate in Commencement. The application is available in the Office of Registration and Records.
Q: I completed my degree requirements during the previous fall semester, am I eligible to take part in Commencement this spring?
A: If you completed your degree requirements during the previous fall semester, you are eligible to participate in Commencement. Contact the Office of Registration and Records and the Student Affairs Office for more information.
Q: I took part in Commencement, does that mean I have graduated from Otis?
A: Participation in Commencement and inclusion in the program does not constitute graduation. Graduation occurs after final grades have been posted and all requirements have been met.
I have specific questions about the Commencement Ceremony, such as cap and gown rental, invitations, date, time and place. Who should I contact?
Questions regarding the Commencement Ceremony should be addressed to the Student Affairs Office. You may contact them by telephone at (310) 665-6960 or by email at student@otis.edu.
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Degree Information
Q: Where can I view a listing of the degree requirements and course descriptions for my major?
A: Degree requirements and detailed course descriptions can be viewed in the Catalogues, which are available on line.
Q: Am I on track to complete my degree requirements?
A: A Degree Planning Guide (also known as a Degree Audit) lists all degree requirements that a student must complete to earn their degree. A Degree Planning Guide is automatically sent to students during the last semester of their junior year as they prepare for their senior year and again after the first semester of their senior year. The Degree Planning Guide includes approved transfer credits, completed courses and courses in which the student is currently enrolled.
A student may request a copy of their Degree Planning Guide at any time to check their progress toward their degree. Requests can be made in person at the Office of Registration and Records, by fax at 310-665-6956 or by email at otisreg@otis.edu. Please provide your name, student id number, major and your signature on your request. Please indicate in your request if you would like to pick up your guide or have it mailed to you. Degree Planning Guides cannot be faxed.
Degree Planning Guides take 24 hours to process.
Q: I received my Degree Planning Guide, but believe there are discrepancies. What is my next step?
A: The most common discrepancies occur due to the following:
- Transfer credit - Official transcripts and a Request for Course Approval form must be on file in the Office of Registration and Records before transfer credit can be applied. Transfer courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better for undergraduate students and a grade of "B" or better for graduate students. When transfer credit has not been applied, the official transcript and/or the Request for Course Approval signed by the appropriate department chair are missing.
- Course Substitutions - If you took another course at Otis in place of a listed degree requirement, a Request for Course Approval form signed by the appropriate department chair and approved by the Registrar must be on file in the Office of Registration and Records before credit can be applied. When a course substitution has not been applied, the Request for Course Approval form is missing.
Make an appointment with your studio and/or liberal arts advisor to discuss any discrepancies and then report any changes to the Office of Registration and Records. Request for Course Approval forms are available in the Office of Registration and Records.
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Diplomas
Q: When will my diploma be available?
A: Diplomas are available approximately six months after the commencement ceremony. If you do not submit a Petition for Graduation, you will not receive a diploma, regardless of academic eligibility. Petitions for Graduation are available in the Office of Registration and Records. You will receive written notification when your diploma is available.
Q: Will my diploma be mailed to me or do I need to pick it up?
A: You will receive a letter in the mail letting you know that your diploma is available. The letter will contain detailed instructions on how to obtain your diploma. You will have the option of having your diploma mailed to you, or you may make arrangements to pick up your diploma at the Office of Registration and Records.
Q: I have a hold on my records; can I still receive my diploma?
A: Any holds (Bursar, Library, Financial Aid etc.) on your records must be cleared before you can receive your diploma.
Q: I graduated several years ago, but never received my diploma, how can I obtain my diploma?
A: Contact the Office of Registration and Records to initiate a search for your diploma. You will be notified when your diploma is found.
Q: My diploma was lost or destroyed, how can I obtain a replacement?
A: Duplicate diplomas will only be issued to students who graduated on or after January 1, 1994. Diplomas will only be issued using the original, legal name of the student at the time of graduation. Diplomas will be signed by the current responsible officials and can only be printed at the time of the regular diploma print run which occurs three times a year at the end of each semester.
You will need to complete the Request for Duplicate Diploma form available in the Office of Registration and Records. The cost for a duplicate diploma is $50.00.
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Graduation
Q: I am completing my final degree requirements this semester, how can I make sure my degree is awarded?
A: Students anticipating graduation must do the following:
- Complete a Petition for Graduation (available in the Registration and Records Office)
- Clear their account with the Bursar in the Student Accounts Office
- Schedule an exit interview with the Financial Aid Office
A final degree audit will be performed to determine that all degree requirements have been completed. The undergraduate student must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 as well as a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in the major. The student's degree will be posted once the final degree audit confirms that all course requirements have been successfully completed, the minimum grade point average requirements have been met and that all necessary student records are on file.
Q: What is graduation with honors?
A: Graduation with honors is earned when an undergraduate student's cumulative grade point average is 3.5 or above. This honor is designated in the commencement program, the academic transcript and on the diploma. To The Top
Transfer Credit
Q: Can I transfer a course from another college toward a degree requirement?
A: The College places significant limitations on credits taken at other institutions. The Department Chair and the Registrar must approve all transfer credits for current students.
A current student who wishes to take a class at another college must complete a Request for Course Approval form available in the Office of Registration and Records. The form must be signed by the appropriate department chair and approved by the Registrar. The Request for Course Approval form should be completed prior to enrollment in the course. It is the responsibility of the student to provide course descriptions and/ or information about the college if requested.
Q: What is the grade needed for transfer credit to be accepted?
A: Undergraduate students must receive a grade of "C" or better for transfer credit to be accepted. Graduate students must receive a grade of "B" or better for transfer credit to be accepted. Students need to submit official transcripts to the Registration and Records Office once the course is completed.
Q: What is the maximum number of transfer credits allowed?
A: The maximum number of transfer credits is as follows:
- 68 credits for undergraduate students
- 15 credits for graduate students in Fine Arts
- 12 credits for graduate students in Writing
Q: I took a course at another college, but did not complete the Request for Course Approval form process prior to enrollment in the class. Can I still transfer the course toward my degree?
A: Students who take a course at another college without completing the Request for Course Approval process prior to enrollment do so at their own risk. You must complete the Request for Course Approval form to have the credits considered for transfer, but there is no guarantee that the credits will be accepted. The Department Chair and the Registrar will determine whether the credits are acceptable for transfer.
Q: I am not a current student now, but I am considering attending Otis College as a transfer student, should I contact the Office of Registration and Records for any questions I have about transfer credits?
A: All prospective applicants should direct their questions about transfer credits to the Admissions Office. To The Top
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