UGA : COE : EPIT : SLM : MAF : Graduation: Checklist

Fitzgerald's Graduation Checklist
M.Ed. and Ed.S.; includes helpful info for Non Degree as well

[] File your Program of Study. This can be done as soon as you know which courses you are actually going to take and when you will probably graduate. This is a rather problematical form; please listen to my Program of Study Job Aid before you do it (WebCT 7460 Resources). It must be done no later than the first weeks of your last semester - but don't put it off!  Fill out the form at the link above and print it out - give to your advisor.   Mark your calendar to follow up on its approval 6 weeks after you file, because there is no acknowledgement for approval.  Along with this, if you have Transfer of Credit issues, discuss with your advisor.

[] The Application for Graduation must be filed early in the semester you graduate, or before, from an on-campus computer.  If this doesn't happen, you must pay a late fee.  You will receive an email acknowledgement; print for your records.

[] For those of you doing internships, this is the semester to make the arrangements (if you haven't already done so).  Read the Guidelines for directions.

[] Ed.S. students should be working on their Applied Project by now.

[] Plan ahead -- see items for the next two semesters.

Need Letters of Recommendation or Recommendation Forms for jobs?  See MAF's Letter-Writing Policy and Advice.

*A good rule: when you email, fax, mail, or fill out an online form, always get some kind of verification that it actually was received.

[] Ed.S. students: by now you should have the end in sight for your Applied Project.

[] If your last semester is Summer: do as many of the items below, listed under your last semester, as you possibly can.

[] Plan ahead -- see items for the last semester.

[] Check with your advisor to make sure your Program of Study has returned approved from the Grad School. If you're behind on this task, you have about a week in the early part of the semester to take care of this.

[] Watch for instructions about the Marathon (for Portfolios and Applied Projects) over SLM-L.

[] Complete all tasks related to your Portfolio and/or Applied Project, including the project itself and its presentation. Portfolios are required for all certification candidates. Ed.S. students only complete Applied Projects.  Presentations are done on a single day called the "Marathon."  You must register for this; instructions will be sent over SLM-L for each semester's Marathon.

[] Make your portfolio or finish your applied project. (This is the easy part, right? :-) ) 

[] Plan to submit your finished work to your advisor four weeks prior to your Marathon date. A list of deadlines related to the Marathon will be published and circulated. This gives one week to check it over and you the next week to fix anything that might be wrong. 

[] After advisor approval, submit your portfolio/applied project to your committee - 2 weeks before the exam date.

[] Prepare a brief (15 minutes, max.) presentation for your committee.

[] Show up for your oral exam. (Resist the urge to bring "goodies" for the committee - it's against the rules.)

[] Graduate!   Have party!  Order frame for diploma.  Start thinking about how to spend your raise, or getting a wonderful new job.

[] Keep your website active for as long as reasonable - 2 or 3 years if possible.  Make sure that you have your own local copies of all of your materials.

[]If you need letters of recommendation, give your referees at least 2 weeks to provide them.  Forms from school systems are great. Please provide stamped envelopes! See  MAF's Letter-Writing Policy and Advice.

[]For those of you seeking certification (initial or upgrade): Certification is the final hurdle after graduation. You must wait until your degree is conferred or until all your coursework has been posted, and you must past the GACE Basic, I, and II.  You should be the one to initiate the certification process,  either through your school system certification person (recommended), or as an individual. Detailed instructions can be found here. Our wonderful College certification officer is Kate Character (706-542-4218). Your papers flow from you or your system first to her, then to SLM Program Coordinator, then back to her, then to PSC.

[]Keep us posted as your life goes on - major events, new jobs, moving, new phone numbers, etc.

This might not be everything you have to do, but it's a pretty good estimation.  Let me know if you see something I have left out.

Be in close contact with your advisor during all of this.  We expect you to have questions  - but do take the time to read over the guidelines first.  Utlimately, you are responsible for meeting all deadlines and filling out all the forms.

Also, try not to procrastinate til the last minute.  Then we will all be in a panic.

• Allow me plenty of time.  Plan on two weeks.  This task is not a simple and quick one for me.
  
• If a form is adequate (as seems to be the case for most school systems), please don't ask for a letter.  Letters take much more time. 
  
• If you need a letter, allow even longer.
• If you need a letter, provide me with some suggestions of what to emphasize -- bullet points, etc.  What strengths are desired for this particular job? How do you match the job you're applying for?  
  
• Take care of all the details that ensure proper addressing and mailing, etc.  I need the complete address and name of recipient.  Addressed envelopes are very helpful!  If the form must be signed by you, make sure to do it. Online reference systems are fabulous.
  
• If you are applying for many different jobs, I prefer to fill out all of your references as a batch.
  
• It's very helpful, in the case of a letter, to have a partially written letter to start with.  Include all the details that are needed.  Rest assured I will edit, add my own opinion, subtract anything that's incorrect, and print on letterhead.  Send to me as a Word attachment.
  
• Faxes are tricky.  Avoid these by planning ahead for proper US Mail delivery, but we can use fax as a last resort.