Graduation Guide

To file your Declaration of Graduation (DOG)

STEP 1: Obtain a copy of your curriculum check sheet.

Obtain the curriculum check sheet for the major you are pursuing and catalog* year.
*For assistance determining your catalog year, please read Guidelines for Determination of Catalog Year.

If your catalog year is earlier than 2002, you will need to visit the Advising Office in Dixie Gammage Hall Room 116 or your area’s main office to obtain a hard-copy of the curriculum check sheet for your catalog year.

STEP 2: Run a copy of your degree audit report (DARS).  For a visual, please open this document: DARS Instructions | Watch the DARS Virtual Tutorial.

• Visit ASU Interactive.
• Under “Current Students” click on “Academic Record Information.”  
  Click on “Request/View Degree Audit (DARS)” and login with your ASURITE ID and password.
• Under “Please Choose One” select the number appropriate to your status.
• On the DARS Screen, select “Audits” and “Request a new audit.”
• Then follow these steps:
  • Check the “Run Selected Program” button (otherwise it won’t work).
  • Select ASU – Arizona State University as the location.
  • Select the first letter of your degree program.
  • Select your area of interest.
  • Select your degree program.
  • Select your specialization (or your major).
  • Select your catalog year* (see note on determining catalog year in Step 1).
  • Click submit.
• You probably will need to hit refresh a few times for your DARS to load.
• After your DARS loads on the screen, click “Open Audit” to view it.
  Click “Open all sections” to show the classes that have fulfilled each of your requirements.
  Click on “Printer friendly” to pull up a printable report.
• Congratulations, you successfully ran a DARS report. 

STEP 3: Using your DARS as a guide, copy (in pen) your completed courses onto the corresponding areas provided on the curriculum check sheet. Include the semester and year in which you took each one. See example.

STEP 4: Next, write (in pencil) the courses you plan to take in the future to complete all remaining degree requirements. Include the semester and year in which you plan to take each one. These courses should be to the best of your knowledge and are subject to change if necessary. See example.

STEP 5: For School of Art students only. Submit check sheet for faculty review and obtain the appropriate signature.

School of Art students are required to have a faculty advisor in your major area of study review the courses that you have written on your completed curriculum check sheet. Upon approval, the faculty advisor must sign the designated area of the curriculum check sheet.

Once your faculty advisor signs your check sheet, bring the completed form with you to your DOG advising appointment (Step 6).

STEP 6: Schedule an appointment to meet with a Herberger College of the Arts academic advisor.

Bring the following two items with you to your DOG advising appointment:

• Completed curriculum check sheet (it must be signed, if you are an Art student)
• DARS

STEP 7: Music Education and Music Therapy students only. Your advisor will submit your paperwork to the faculty in music education or music therapy for review. The faculty must sign your DOG cover sheet before the Herberger College submits it to the graduation office. The faculty will return the checksheet with any comments to your advisor, and your advisor will communicate with you if there are any problems with your proposed coursework.

If you are graduating this semester
The following steps are required to complete the graduation process:

STEP 1: By now, you should have registered for your final semester.

STEP 2: Run your DARS Report or review your program of study to confirm that all requirements are met. If you encounter any discrepancies, make an appointment with a Herberger College of the Arts academic advisor immediately. You are eligible to walk in commencement and convocation if you have 11 or fewer hours left to graduate.

STEP 3: To apply for graduation, complete the following steps:

• Go to the Student Services Building (SSV) and pay for graduation at the cashier’s office by March 31. (Fee can be paid the semester prior to or the semester of graduation. Note the deadline dates listed in the university calendar.) You are eligible to walk in commencement and convocation if you have 11 or fewer hours left to graduate. You must pay the graduation fee and bring a copy of the receipt to Dixie Gammage Hall, room 116 to receive information about convocation.
• Fill out the questionnaire the cashier gives you and take it to the graduation office on the first floor of the Student Services Building (SSV).
• The graduation office will check your DARS report to make sure that you have completed the requirements.
• Order your cap, gown and invitations through the ASU Bookstore. More information.

You must complete all your coursework and comply with the above requirements to graduate.

The graduation filing deadline for spring 2008 is March 31, 2008.
You must file for graduation in the graduation office (Student Services Building) by the deadline in order for your name to appear in the ASU commencement program.

More information on graduation preparation

Herberger College of the Arts Convocation
ASU Gammage Auditorium

The Herberger College convocation always is the same day as the university’s commencement.

All graduation candidates who file for graduation by the deadline will receive a letter and RSVP form in the mail. If you do not receive a letter, contact the Office of Student Academic Services in the Herberger College of the Arts at 480.965.4495.

PLEASE NOTE:  The ASU Herberger College of the Arts uses a voucher/ticketing system to assure seating for guests attending the spring convocation that is held Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. in ASU Gammage Auditorium. In order to provide each student an opportunity to have guests attend, each graduating student is provided with up to six guest vouchers that must be redeemed at the Gammage box office for reserved seating tickets.

Voucher/Ticket Guidelines:

1. Please bring your RSVP form to the Office of Student Academic Services in the Herberger College of the Arts, Dixie Gammage Hall, room 116. Vouchers are available for pick-up beginning Monday, April 7, 2008.
2. Once your form is received, you may collect six vouchers that can be redeemed at the Gammage box office for reserved seating tickets. Ticket distribution begins Wednesday, April 16, 2008.
3. If you need more than six vouchers, you may request unused vouchers from other graduating students or you may return to Student Academic Services on Monday, April 28 to request additional vouchers.
4. Vouchers are not tickets. Vouchers must be redeemed for reserved seating tickets from the Gammage Box Office by 5 p.m. on or before Tuesday, May 6.

Convocation Ceremony Instructions

ALL Graduates need to meet no later than 12:30 p.m. in the backstage area of ASU Gammage. You will walk down the loading dock ramp to the backstage area. Upon your arrival you will collect your reader’s card at the registration table, have an opportunity for a convocation portrait photograph and be directed where to line up for the procession. Please be on time as we will be lining up alphabetically. Please remember no family or friends will be allowed in the backstage area, and they should proceed to the main auditorium for seating.  Graduating students will be seated in the front rows of the auditorium.  We ask that you wear your cap and gown.  Caps and gowns are available at the ASU Bookstore two weeks prior to the ceremony.

Master’s candidates must invite your committee chairperson to participate in the hooding ceremony. If your chairperson cannot attend the ceremony, please invite an appropriate substitute from the faculty of your discipline. At the designated time, you will proceed across the stage carrying your hood over your arm. You will hand your hood to your committee chairperson, who will place the hood over your head.

Doctoral candidates are “hooded” at the university commencement on Thursday, May 8. Wear proper academic regalia, including hoods, to the convocation ceremony. Doctoral recipients are recognized at the Herberger College convocation.

Chappell Photography Information
Chappell Photography is the official photographer of ASU commencement events.  There is a pre-registration system, which allows you to provide your e-mail and mailing address information to Chappell prior to the ceremony. You can also add information for up to six family members. Pre-register now.

University commencement and convocation ceremonies are special events for all involved. Please show respect for all who have come to share in the experience.

University Commencement
Thursday, May 8, 2008 – 9 a.m.
Wells Fargo Arena (WFA)

Commencement is the official ceremony for the university.  ALL Herberger College of the Arts graduates are encouraged to attend this ceremony. Get more information about university commencement.

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