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Important Graduation and Ceremony Information for S-CAR Graduate Students
S-CAR students may participate in three ceremonies: the official Mason Commencement, the S-CAR Convocation, and/or the S-CAR Winter Recognition Ceremony.
Steps to Graduation
See the Registrar Website’s instructions on graduation. You must complete these steps in order to graduate.
What is S-CAR Convocation and George Mason University Commencement?
All Ph.D., Graduate, and Undergraduate students who have completed their degree requirements are invited to attend the Spring S-CAR Convocation. Convocation is our premiere, formal event (with caps and gowns) that will take place on Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Concert Hall on the Fairfax Campus.
Commencement is the university wide celebration that will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at the EagleBank Arena on the Fairfax campus. Tickets are required for this event.
The following link gives additional information about the difference between the S-CAR Convocation and George Mason University Commencement.
Who Can Participate?
M.S. students who . . .
- graduated in Fall 2015 (December 2015 Conferral Date)
- will graduate in Spring 2016 (May 2016 Conferral Date)
- will graduate in Summer 2016 (August 2016 Conferral Date)
Ph.D. students who . . .
- graduated in Summer 2015 (August 2015 Conferral Date)
- graduated in Fall 2015 (December 2015 Conferral Date)
- will graduate in Spring 2016 (May 2016 Conferral Date)
Graduate Certificate Students participate in the S-CAR Graduate Certificate Celebration at the completion of their program in July or August. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.
We are looking forward to celebrating your accomplishments in May's convocation!
What you need to do:
1. Please fill out the information form located below by Monday, April 11, 2016. This form collects the information we need to have you listed in the S-CAR Convocation Commemorative program.
2. Order your cap, gown, and tassel from the Arlington Mason bookstore or at www.gmu.bncollege.com. Master's graduates need the Golden Yellow velvet hood and Ph.D. graduates need the Royal Blue velvet hood. You may not participate in the ceremony without a cap and gown.
3. Pick up tickets for Commencement (no tickets are required for the S-CAR Convocation) at the EagleBank Arena Center box office beginning April 19 thru May 10, 2016. Each student is allowed a maximum of 6 tickets for the main Commencement (PhD students may receive 12 tickets). Box office hours are Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.- 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Make sure you bring your Mason ID with you (or at least a photo ID of some description).
Please fill out the S-CAR Convocation form found at this link HERE no later than Monday, April 4, 2016 if you would like your information included in the 2016 S-CAR Convocation Commemorative Program. Any information received after this date will not appear in the program. You will need the following information to complete the form:
- Full name as you would like for it to appear in the Convocation Program
- Mason G Number
- Email Addresses (Mason email and Non-Mason email)
- Thank you/dedication statement to friends and family (optional and must be no longer than 200 characters)
- Thesis Title/Committee Chair/Committee Members (if applicable)
- Internship Title/Location (if applicable)
- APT Title/Location (if applicable)
- Ph.D. Dissertation Title/Committee Chair/Committee Members (if applicable)
S-CAR Master's and PhD Convocation Speakers
(3 minute speech)
At each S-CAR Convocation, one representative from the Undergraduate, Master's, and PhD programs will have the opportunitiy to give a 3-minute speech on behalf of their program/graduating class. The speech can discuss topics such as class achievements and your outlook for the future. This speech will be given on behalf of the Fall 2015, Spring and Summer 2016 S-CAR Master graduating classes.
Things to Think About
- Types of internships or APT's people have been involved in.
- Areas of research for dissertations or thesis
- Places people have traveled for field experience, volunteer activities, etc.
- What backgrounds do individuals have; where are they coming from?
- How has this class evolved and matured throughout their time in the program?
- What is unique about this program; what drew people to this field and this program at George Mason?
- Where do people feel they are going to pursue with this degree; what are some of the hopes and dreams for the future?
Things to Avoid:
- Going over three minutes!
- Very specific details about particular elements of the program; speech is meant to be a broad speech on class achievements and outlook for the future.
If you are interested in being the S-CAR Master's or PhD program graduation speaker, send a self-nomination to b[email protected]. Please provide your proposed three minute speech. The speaker will be chosen by a committee. Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m., Monday, April 4, 2016.