Degree Information

Degree Works provides a comprehensive set of web-based academic advising, degree audit, and transfer articulation tools to help students and advisors negotiate curriculum requirements.

To learn more about the Degree Works responsive dashboard or to access the classic dashboard see the Degree Works Upgrade page.

Degree Candidate FAQ

  1. What is the minimum GPA required to graduate?
  2. Who is eligible for honors and how are they calculated?
  3. What are the responsibilities of the Degree Certification Staff in the Registrar's office?
  4. When is Summer Commencement?
  5. How do I order a duplicate diploma?
  6. When will my diploma arrive?
  7. Which degree candidates will be allowed to participate in the commencement exercise?
  8. Where do I get information about caps, gowns, invitations, photographs and commencement day activities?
  9. When and where can I pick-up my honor cord?
  10. Where can I find the spring commencement participation policy and petition form for Summer Candidates?
  11. Do I have to have my concentration selected before submitting an OAG?
  12. How do I select my concentration?
  13. I'm also pursuing a minor. Do I have to officially declare my minor?
  14. How will my minor be evaluated?
  15. I have more than one program I'm applying for. Do I have to submit more than one OAG?
  16. My curriculum is incorrect on the OAG screen. What do I do?
  17. I applied for my degree in a previous term and it was not awarded. When and how can I apply again for this degree?
  18. Where can I find more information about the Online Application for Graduation (OAG) including my current status?

General Information

1. What is the minimum GPA required to graduate?

**Please note, your academic department may require a higher GPA for graduate degrees.

2. Who is eligible for honors and how are they calculated?

Tentative and Final Honors at Graduation

Academic Honors are awarded to undergraduate degree candidates only.

A student must have earned at least 60 semester credit hours (excluding remedial coursework) at Georgia Tech to graduate with highest honor, with high honor, or with honor.

In order to qualify for graduation with honors, all grades or grade corrections affecting the honors designation must be received and certified by the Office of the Registrar no later than noon on Wednesday following Commencement.

Tentative honors at graduation (recognized at Commencement) are determined by the grade-point average (GPA) entering the graduating term and the sum total of graded hours accumulated prior to the graduation term plus graded hours registered for and pending during the graduation term.

3. What are the responsibilities of the Degree Certification Staff in the Registrar's office?

The Degree Certification Staff in the Office of the Registrar is responsible for evaluating degree candidates and certifying that all graduation requirements have been met prior to the awarding of degrees.

Commencement and Diploma

4. When is Summer Commencement?

The Commencement Office has updated its Summer Commencement policy.

5. How do I order a duplicate diploma?

Should you ever need a replacement copy of your diploma complete the following request form. There is a $100 replacement fee, plus mailing.

6. When will my diploma arrive?

Diplomas are printed by an outside company and it normally takes 6-8 weeks after Commencement to be printed and mailed.

7. Which degree candidates will be allowed to participate in the commencement exercise?

Students who are active degree candidates at the time of commencement are eligible to participate in the ceremony.

8. Where do I get information about caps, gowns, invitations, photographs and commencement day activities?

Toward the middle of your graduating term, you will receive a packet from the Special Events Office located in the Wardlaw Building. This packet will provide detailed information about the commencement ceremony. Visit the Special Events - GT Commencement website for more information.

We highly encourage you to visit the bookstore to purchase graduation regalia approximately the fourth week of the term that you are graduating. Cap & gown information is also available at the GT Commencement website. Please be sure to check your graduation regalia before you leave the bookstore to make sure you have the correct regalia and that you have all pieces, including tassel.

To purchase graduation announcements visit the Balfour website.

9. When and where can I pick-up my honor cord?

Georgia Tech will provide honor cords for undergraduate students based on their previous semester's cumulative GPA.

Graduates are permitted to wear additional items if given by officially sanctioned Georgia Tech honor societies or student organizations. You are responsible for obtaining from the student organization any honors accessories to which you are entitled.

Please note that the distribution of honor cords for commencement and the notation of tentative honors in the commencement program are based on whether the student meets the minimum number of hours (60) and the required minimum GPA for the three levels of honor at the time they enter their graduating term. In other words, honors at commencement are based on the hours accumulated and the GPA that exists at the beginning of the graduating term.

GPA Requirement with a minimum of 60 institutional credits earned:

If you have any questions, please contact the Registrar's Office at comments@registrar.gatech.edu.

10. Where can I find the spring commencement participation policy and petition form for Summer Candidates?

Spring Commencement Participation Policy for Summer Candidates

Concentration Selection

11. Do I have to have my concentration selected before submitting an OAG?

Yes, you should submit your concentration as soon as you know which concentration you are pursuing, and definitely prior to applying for graduation. Always speak with your advisor prior to selection.

12. How do I select my concentration?

Students must select their concentration within OSCAR. More information can be found on the DegreeWorks main website

Minors and Degree Designators

13. I'm also pursuing a minor. Do I have to officially declare my minor?

Yes, in order to submit your OAG including your minor, you will need to officially declare your minor. Forms can be found here.

14. How will my minor be evaluated?

All undergraduate students pursuing a minor will need to submit a minor program of study form to the Office of the Registrar. Forms can be located here.

Online Application for Graduation (OAG)

15. I have more than one program I'm applying for. Do I have to submit more than one OAG?

Yes, a separate OAG is needed for each program you are applying to graduate in.

16. My curriculum is incorrect on the OAG screen. What do I do?

Do not proceed if your curriculum is incorrect. Instead, please contact dc@registrar.gatech.edu for assistance.

17. I applied for my degree in a previous term and it was not awarded. When and how can I apply again for this degree?

You will submit an OAG during dates specified for the term you are graduating.

18. Where can I find more information about the Online Application for Graduation (OAG) including my current status?

More information about the OAG, including details prior to and after applying to graduate can be found here.

Degree Certification Process

Students are expected to apply to graduate the semester before they wish to graduate. Georgia Tech now employs the Online Application for Graduation (OAG) for all its students, both undergraduate and graduate, and students can login to OSCAR to submit their application. Restrictions do apply, and students are advised to read the following information carefully before applying.

OAG Windows

The OAG is only open during set times for each semester's graduation

Tentative dates for each semester's OAG window are as follows:

Note: A Program of Study form is only required for master's students if the degree program is not in Degree Works. See your academic advisor with questions.

Degree Certification Auditing

The academic department will conduct the first degree audit. The Advisor Audit (first audit) will begin 1-2 weeks following Phase II registration.

Following the Advisor Audit, the Registrar's Office will review all degree candidate records for the 2nd Audit. Any students with deficiencies that cannot be remedied by final grades, will be inactivated, and forced to reapply for the next semester. Students are encouraged to follow their graduation status and work with their advisors in remedying any deficiencies.

Students who are still eligible after the Inactivation Date, will proceed on the final audit the Tuesday following Commencement. Participation in Commencement does not equate into the awarding of degrees. If a student passes through the final audit, their degree will officially be awarded on the Thursday following Commencement.

Graduation Status

All OAG students can check their graduation status in DegreeWorks, under the section entitled Student View.

Notwithstanding any language to the contrary, nothing contained herein constitutes nor is intended to constitute an offer, inducement, promise, or contract of any kind. The data contained herein is for informational purposes only and is not represented to be error free. Any links to non-Georgia Tech information are provided as a courtesy. They are not intended to nor do they constitute an endorsement by the Georgia Institute of Technology of the linked materials.

Degree Requirements

The requirements for bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctorate degrees are outlined in the Catalog.

Degree Verifications

Degree verifications will not be released for any student who has an outstanding financial obligation to the Institute.

Degree Verifications verify all awarded degrees with corresponding dates.

Third parties order degree verifications from Clearinghouse

Ordering degree verifications from Clearinghouse

Georgia Tech has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to act as our agent to provide degree verifications to third parties. Third parties must use the Clearinghouse. Please visit the Clearinghouse online or contact the company by phone at 703-742-4200.

Georgia Tech students order degree verifications in BuzzPort

Ordering degree verifications in BuzzPort

Students are able to print their own degree verifications using the instructions below. This is an online service and is available 24/7 to current students and alumni of Georgia Tech. This is a free service.

Instructions:

Graduation Status Guide

Student ViewAdvisor ViewDefinition of Status
Must PTF - 10YR Rule10YStudent must submit a Petition to the Faculty for a waiver of the 10-Year Rule
Must PTF - 36HR Rule36HStudent must submit a Petition to the Faculty for a waiver of the 36-Hour Rule
Must PTF – 3HR Enrollment Rule3HRStudent must submit a Petition to the Faculty to request a waiver of the 3-Hour Enrollment Rule
Must PTF - Seven-Year Rule7YRStudent must submit a Petition to the Faculty for a waiver of the Seven-Year Rule
Must PTF - Six-Year Rule6YRStudent must submit a Petition to the Faculty for a waiver of the Six-Year Rule
Lacks Admission to CandidacyADMStudent lacks admission to candidacy - contact Graduate Studies
Degree AwardedAWDStudent's degree has been Awarded
Must Declare ConcentrationCONStudent must declare concentration to be properly evaluated
Deficient Core BlockDFCStudent has a deficiency located in the Core Block of their DegreeWorks audit - see DegreeWorks
Deficient Electives BlockDFEStudent has a deficiency located in the Electives Block of their DegreeWorks audit - see DegreeWorks
Deficient Major BlockDFMStudent has a deficiency located in the Major Block of their DegreeWorks audit - see DegreeWorks
Deficient in Multiple BlocksDFXStudent has a deficiency located in multiple blocks of their DegreeWorks audit - see DegreeWorks
Low GPA (Departmental Minimum)DGPStudent does not meet the minimum departmental GPA, if higher than the Institute minimum
Lacks Doctoral MinorDMRStudent must submit Doctoral Minor form to Graduate Education.
Lacks Enrollment WaiverENWStudent lacks Enrollment Waiver - contact Graduate Studies
Must PTF - Full Grad StandingFGSStudent must submit a Petition to the Faculty to request Full Graduate Standing
Must PTF - Full-Time SemestersFTEStudent must submit a Petition to the Faculty for a waiver of the Full-Time Semesters Rule
Low GPA (Institute Minimum)IGPStudent does not meet the minimum Institute GPA
InactivatedINAApplication has been inactivated
Joint Degree StudentJDSJoint Degree with program outside of GT.
Received Late, No EvaluationLNEGraduation application was completed after the deadline. Students will receive a graduation audit by the Registrar's Office during the term.
Lacks Required CourseworkLRCStudent is deficient required coursework
Multi. & Candidacy DeficiencyMACStudent is lacking requirements and Doctoral Candidacy. See notes at the bottom of the Degree Works audit.
Multiple & ThesisMLTStudent has multiple deficiencies and has not met thesis requirement. See notes at the bottom of the Degree Works audit.
Minor Deficiency MNRStudent is lacking minor requirements.
Multiple DeficienciesMULStudent has multiple deficiencies - see the Notes at the bottom of your DegreeWorks audit
Will Not Grad, Must ReapplyNOTStudent will not graduate, and must reapply for a future semester
On Track to Grad, 2nd AuditOT2Student is On Track for Graduation following the Registrar's Office Audit
On Track to Grad, Final AuditOT3Student is On Track for Graduation following the Final Degree Audit
Must PTF – Pass-Fail RulePFRStudent must submit a Petition to the Faculty for a waiver of the pass-fail rule
Lacks Program of StudyPOSMasters students must also submit a Program of Study to the Office of the Registrar to supplement their OAG
Pending Transfer CreditPTCStudent is pending transfer credit, and degree is contingent on awarding of said credit
Received Re-App, Pending EvalRAPStudent's re-application has been received, and is pending evaluation of Second Audit
Lacks RCR TrainingRCRStudent has not completed RCR requirements. Review requirements and submit documents to Graduate Education.
Received, Pending EvaluationRECGraduation application is received and pending evaluation
Registrar Administrative DeficiencyREGContact Degree Certification ( dc@registrar.gatech.edu)
Received Late, Will Not EvalRLNStudent applied to graduate late
Lacks ThesisTHEStudent lacks thesis - contact Graduate Studies

Online Application for Graduation (OAG) for Undergraduate Students

Before Applying

Make sure all program information is up-to-date, including major(s) as well as any minors or concentrations you may be pursuing. For more information, and the form needed to officially change your program on record, please visit the following:

How to Apply

In order to graduate from Georgia Tech, a student must first submit an application for graduation.

After Applying

Academic departments will conduct the first degree audit on your record shortly after the graduation term starts. The Registrar's Office Degree Certification team will conduct the Registrar's Office audit on your application, and update your graduation status and add notes. Below is a breakdown of the timing of the two audits:

To view your degree status, login to DegreeWorks. Near the top of your audit, under a section titled "Student View," you will see a field "Graduation Status." The text that appears in that field is your current degree status.

Please remember that your status will change throughout the semester, depending on updates, grade and registration changes, etc. Always check your status periodically, and connect with your advisor if there are any questions. Additionally, it is wise to look at the bottom of your audit, in case there are any notes placed on by your advisor or Degree Certification.

Online Application for Graduation (OAG) for Graduate Students

Before Applying

Make sure all program information is up-to-date. For example, if you are a PhD student, but applying for a Master's "along the way," you must officially declare the Master's program as a secondary major. For more information, and the form needed to officially update your program on record, go to the Forms page.

After Applying

After your application is submitted, your advisor will complete the 1st audit and Degree Certification will conduct the 2nd audit on your application. Below is a breakdown of the timing of the two audits:

To view your degree status, login to DegreeWorks. Near the top of your audit, under a section titled "Student View," you will see a field "Graduation Status." The text that appears in that field is your current degree status.

Often, graduate students will have "Multiple Deficiencies," as seen in the screenshot below.

Multiple Deficiencies

In this case, please scroll down and look at the bottom of the degree audit for further explanation. There, you will see specifically what deficiencies constitute the "Multiple Deficiencies" seen above.

Multiple Deficiency Notes

Please remember that your status will change throughout the semester, depending on updates, grade and registration changes, etc. Always check your status periodically, and connect with your advisor if there are any questions. Additionally, it is wise to look at the bottom of y our audit, in case there are any notes placed on by your advisor or Degree Certification.

How to Apply

In order to graduate from Georgia Tech, a student must first submit an application for graduation. This video tutorial shows how to use the Online Application for Graduation (OAG).

Minors, Certificates, and Special Degree Options

Minors

Change/Addition of Minor Form

In order for a Change/Addition of Minor Form to be processed, the form must be completed by the student, signed by all appropriate offices, and submitted to the Registrar's Office in room 104 of the Tech Tower (Administration Building) or faxed to 404-894-0167.

Changes are generally made within 5 business days of submission. If Phase 2 Registration for the term has ended, changes are not made for the current term but are put into effect for the next term.

Approved Program of Study for Undergraduate Minors Form

At the time an undergraduate student submits a petition for degree, an "An Approved Program of Study for Undergraduate Minors" form must also be submitted. These forms and the requirements for a minor are located at the following:

Certificates

Undergraduate-Level Certificate Guidelines

Certificates are intended to encourage students to use the elective course requirements in their degree program to form a coherent package of coursework in a specified area.

Graduate-Level Certificate Guidelines

Certificates are intended to encourage students to use the elective requirements in their degree program to form a coherent concentration of coursework in a specified area.

Special Degree Options

The International Plan

The International Plan is a challenging undergraduate academic program aimed at developing a student's global competence within the context of their major. It is an optional degree-long program that integrates overseas experiences, language proficiency, and globally-focused coursework into any participating major at Georgia Tech. It builds on existing undergraduate degree requirements and international opportunities and is intended to be completed within the normal time frame of a four-year undergraduate degree. Completion of the International Plan is recognized by a designation on the student's diploma indicating a commitment to developing global competence as part of the degree, e.g., "B.S. in Electrical Engineering: International Plan."

Research Option for Undergraduate Students

The Research Option offers students the opportunity for an in-depth, long-term research experience that culminates in a final paper or thesis.

Degree Program Coordinators

Responsibility for degree program coordination, curriculum development, and curriculum review rests with faculty degree program coordinators. These faculty are designated by their respective school chairs or deans within the academic unit (school or college) offering a given major. Depending on the school or college, degree program coordinators may have a variety of titles including, but not limited to, graduate coordinator, undergraduate coordinator, associate chair, director, assistant dean, or associate dean.

A list of faculty degree program coordinators may be found in this file.

Updated Oct. 2023

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