Degree Information
Degree Audit
DegreeWorks provides a comprehensive set of web-based academic advising, degree audit, and transfer articulation tools to help students and advisors negotiate curriculum requirements.
Degree Candidate FAQ
- What is the minimum GPA required to graduate?
- Who is eligible for honors and how are they calculated?
- What are the responsibilities of the Degree Certification Staff in the Registrar's office?
- When is Summer Commencement?
- How do I order a duplicate diploma?
- When will my diploma arrive?
- Which degree candidates will be allowed to participate in the commencement exercise?
- Where do I get information about caps, gowns, invitations, photographs and commencement day activities?
- When and where can I pick-up my honor cord?
- Where can I find the spring commencement participation policy and petition form for Summer Candidates?
- Do I have to have my concentration selected before submitting an OAG?
- How do I select my concentration?
- I'm also pursuing a minor. Do I have to officially declare my minor?
- How will my minor be evaluated?
- I have more than one program I'm applying for. Do I have to submit more than one OAG?
- My curriculum is incorrect on the OAG screen. What do I do?
- I applied for my degree in a previous term and it was not awarded. When and how can I apply again for this degree?
- Where can I find more information about the Online Application for Graduation (OAG) including my current status?
General Information
- The minimum GPA required for graduating with an undergraduate degree is 2.0
- The minimum GPA required for graduating with a Master or Master of Science degree is 2.7
- The minimum GPA required for graduating with a PhD degree is 3.0.
**Please note, your academic department may require a higher GPA for graduate degrees.
Tentative and Final Honors at Graduation
- For graduation with highest honor, the minimum grade-point average (GPA) shall be 3.55.
- For graduation with high honor, the minimum grade-point average (GPA) shall be 3.35.
- For graduation with honor, the minimum grade-point average (GPA) shall be 3.15.
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.
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
The Commencement Office has updated its Summer Commencement policy.
Should you ever need a replacement copy of your diploma complete the following request form. There is a $100 replacement fee, plus mailing.
Diplomas are printed by an outside company and it normally takes 6-8 weeks after Commencement to be printed and mailed.
Students who are active degree candidates at the time of commencement are eligible to participate in the ceremony.
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.
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:
- 3.15 for HONOR (double white cords)
- 3.35 for HIGH HONOR (double gold cords)
- 3.55 for HIGHEST HONOR (double white and gold braided cords)
If you have any questions, please contact the Registrar's Office at comments@registrar.gatech.edu.
Spring Commencement Participation Policy for Summer Candidates
Concentration Selection
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.
Students must select their concentration within OSCAR. More information can be found on the DegreeWorks main website
Minors and Degree Designators
Yes, in order to submit your OAG including your minor, you will need to officially declare your minor. Forms can be found here.
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)
Yes, a separate OAG is needed for each program you are applying to graduate in.
Stop immediately.
Do not proceed if your curriculum is incorrect. Instead, please contact dc@registrar.gatech.edu for assistance.
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:
Fall Graduation:
- OAG Window: January 20 – August 25
Spring Graduation
- OAG Window: September 1 – January 13
Summer Graduation
- OAG Window: January 20 – May 26
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.
Graduate Program of Study Form
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 verify all awarded degrees with corresponding dates.
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.
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:
- Go to Buzzport
- On the Home tab locate the "Registration and Student Services" channel
- Select the "Registration link
- Select "Student Services & Financial Aid"
- Select "Student Records"
- Select "Online Degree Verification"
Graduation Status Guide
Student View | Advisor View | Definition of Status |
---|---|---|
Deficient Core Block | DFC | Student has a deficiency located in the Core Block of their DegreeWorks audit - see DegreeWorks |
Deficient Electives Block | DFE | Student has a deficiency located in the Electives Block of their DegreeWorks audit - see DegreeWorks |
Deficient in Multiple Blocks | DFX | Student has a deficiency located in multiple blocks of their DegreeWorks audit - see DegreeWorks |
Deficient Major Block | DFM | Student has a deficiency located in the Major Block of their DegreeWorks audit - see DegreeWorks |
Degree Awarded | AWD | Student's degree has been Awarded |
Inactivated | INA | Application has been inactivated |
Lacks Admission to Candidacy | ADM | Student lacks admission to candidacy - contact Graduate Studies |
Lacks Enrollment Waiver | ENW | Student lacks Enrollment Waiver - contact Graduate Studies |
Lacks Program of Study | POS | Masters students must also submit a Program of Study to the Office of the Registrar to supplement their OAG |
Lacks Required Coursework | LRC | Student is deficient required coursework |
Lacks Thesis | THE | Student lacks thesis - contact Graduate Studies |
Low GPA (Departmental Minimum) | DGP | Student does not meet the minimum departmental GPA, if higher than the Institute minimum |
Low GPA (Institute Minimum) | IGP | Student does not meet the minimum Institute GPA |
Multiple Deficiencies | MUL | Student has multiple deficiencies - see the Notes at the bottom of your DegreeWorks audit |
Must Declare Concentration | CON | Student must declare concentration to be properly evaluated |
Must PTF - 10YR Rule | 10Y | Student must submit a Petition to the Faculty for a waiver of the 10-Year Rule |
Must PTF - 36HR Rule | 36H | Student must submit a Petition to the Faculty for a waiver of the 36-Hour Rule |
Must PTF – 3HR Enrollment Rule | 3HR | Student must submit a Petition to the Faculty to request a waiver of the 3-Hour Enrollment Rule |
Must PTF - Full Grad Standing | FGS | Student must submit a Petition to the Faculty to request Full Graduate Standing |
Must PTF - Full-Time Semesters | FTE | Student must submit a Petition to the Faculty for a waiver of the Full-Time Semesters Rule |
Must PTF – Pass-Fail Rule | PFR | Student must submit a Petition to the Faculty for a waiver of the pass-fail rule |
Must PTF - Seven-Year Rule | 7YR | Student must submit a Petition to the Faculty for a waiver of the Seven-Year Rule |
Must PTF - Six-Year Rule | 6YR | Student must submit a Petition to the Faculty for a waiver of the Six-Year Rule |
On Track to Grad, 1st Audit | OT1 | Student is on track to graduate following the First Audit |
On Track to Grad, 2nd Audit | OT2 | Student is on track to graduate following the Second Audit |
On Track to Grad, Final Audit | OT3 | Student is on track to graduate following the Final Audit |
Pending Transfer Credit | PTC | Student is pending transfer credit, and degree is contingent on awarding of said credit |
Received, Pending Evaluation | REC | Student's application has been received, and is pending evaluation at First Audit |
Received Re-App, Pending Eval | RAP | Student's re-application has been received, and is pending evaluation of Second Audit |
Registrar Administrative Deficiency | REG | contact Degree Certification ( dc@registrar.gatech.edu) |
Will Not Grad, Must Reapply | NOT | Student will not graduate, and must reapply for a future semester |
Online Application for Graduation (OAG) for Undergraduate Students
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:
After your application is submitted, Degree Certification will conduct two audits on your application, while working and communicating with your advisor. Below is a breakdown of the timing of the two audits:
- First Audit - began 1-2 weeks after Phase II closes, and completed mid-semester (NOTE: if after this Audit, there are deficiencies on your status that cannot be resolved with final grades (such as Low GPA), then you will be inactivated as a degree candidate, and required to apply again for the next semester)
- Inactivation Date - approximately one month before Commencement
- Final Audit - Tuesday following Commencement
- Degrees Awarded - Thursday following Commencement
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.
In order to graduate from Georgia Tech, a student must first submit an application for graduation. The following video is a guide to show students how to apply for graduation.
The following video shows how to change a major or declare a concentration.
How to submit an Online Application for Graduation (OAG)
Online Application for Graduation (OAG) for Graduate Students
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 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:
- First Audit - completed by your academic advisor will began 1-2 weeks after Phase II closes.
- Second Audit - completed by the Registrar's Office. We will review your record while working with your academic advisor. (Note: if after this Audit, there are deficiencies on your status that cannot be resolved with final grades (such as Low GPA), then you will be inactivated as a degree candidate, and required to apply again for the next semester)
- Inactivation Date - approximately one month before Commencement
- Final Audit - Tuesday following Commencement
- Degrees Awarded - Thursday following Commencement
To view your degree status, login to Degree Works. 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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 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."
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
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Degree Coordinators Database 2022-2023 - as of 2023-01-17.pdf | 178.08 KB |
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 Jan. 2023