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Applying for Graduation

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Conferral of Degrees

The university confers degrees three times each year. Summer degrees are conferred in late August, fall degrees are conferred in late December and spring conferral dates coincide with the university commencement ceremony in May.
 
Diplomas for summer graduates will be mailed by the last business day in September. Diplomas for fall graduates will be mailed by the last business day in January. Spring graduates attending May commencement will pick up their diplomas following the ceremony. Diplomas for spring graduates not attending commencement will be mailed by the last business day in May.
 
Graduation fees must be paid and all financial and financial aid obligations must be met before diplomas can be mailed.

Application for Graduation

 
It is recommended that you apply for graduation up to a year (and no later than one semester before) your expected graduation date. 
  • Bachelor: It is strongly recommended that you apply for graduation upon earning 90+ credits.
  • Master: It is strongly recommended that you apply for graduation upon earning 24+ credits.
  • Doctoral: It is strongly recommended that you apply for graduation upon enrolling in DSR 950/DSR 960.
  • All: It is on your application for graduation where you will indicate the number of guests you will be inviting to the ceremony if attending; there are no tickets issued for commencement.
 
Application Deadlines:
 
2020: January 6th for students seeking May degree conferral and summer undergrad and masters students participating in spring 2020 commencement.
 
Applications for Graduation are available online. To view the application online, click the appropriate link.
 
 
Once your application has been received by the Office of Registration and Records, the Assistant Registrar will complete the official degree audit. This degree audit indicates the classes and credentials still needed in order to graduate. The degree audit is signed by the respective Dean. Degree audits take 7-14 business days to process. A student will only be considered a degree candidate when the above procedures are complete.
 
If you change your plans for graduation, please notify the Office of Registration and Records in writing as soon as possible. 
 
 
Printable Frequently Asked Questions about Graduation and Commencement: Frequently Asked Questions 2019
 

Graduation Fees

You must pay your Graduation Fee and meet all outstanding financial obligations before you can receive your diploma, official transcript, or degree verification. Graduation Fees are due no later than April 15.

 
 
Associate's Degree: $75
Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral Degree: $150
 
You can make payments to the Business Office online, through the mail, by phone or in person. The Business Office accepts cash, personal checks, money orders, Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. Credit card payments can be made online or by phone.
 
 
1. Over the Phone. Contact the Business Office:
  • Manager of Student Accounts: (301) 369-2318
  • Toll Free number: (800) 950-1192
2. Online
To make a payment online:
  • Log into 'My Capitol'
  • Select the 'Home' tab
  • Select 'My Account Info'
  • Select 'My Account Balances'
  • Select 'Make a Payment'
3. Mail.
Make checks payable to: Capitol Technology University.
In the memo line, write 'Graduation Fee'
Send check/money order to:
 
Capitol Technology University
Attn: Business Office
11301 Springfield Road
Laurel, MD 20708
 
 
 

Graduation Requirements

 

After applying for graduation, you must satisfy the following requirements in order to graduate:
 

1. Complete your degree. All graduates must successfully complete the course requirements of their chosen degree. Refer to the course catalog from your entry year for degree requirements and other academic obligations. See your academic advisor if you need guidance fulfilling those requirements.

  • Undergraduate Requirements: In order to be recommended by faculty for award of degrees, you must satisfactorily complete the curriculum requirements for your degree program with an overall cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and degree program cumulative GPA of at least 2.0. You are also required to have met the Capitol Technology University residency requirements outlined in the course catalog.
  • Master's Requirements: Graduate degree recipients must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Grades of D will not apply toward Master's program requirements. 
  • Doctoral Requirements: Doctoral degree recipients must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Grades of C will not apply toward Doctoral program requirements.

2. Settle your financial accounts. Before receiving a diploma, each student must fulfill all financial and administrative responsibilities. Contact the offices below before applying for graduation to ensure that you have no outstanding obligations to the university:

    • Business Office (businessoffice@CapTechU.edu) 301-369-2319/301-369-2318
    • Financial Aid (finaid@CapTechU.edu) - 301-369-2324
    • Residence Life (residencelife@CapTechU.edu) - 240-965-2493
    • Puente Library (library@CapTechU.edu) - 301-369-2553
    • Capitol Technology University Toll Free number - (800) 950-1192
In addition, all students are obliged to complete the following tasks before receiving a diploma and/or official transcripts:
  1. Schedule and complete an exit interview with Financial Aid (financial aid students only).
  2. Complete your Graduating Student Survey.

Failure to complete these tasks will exclude you from participating in graduation ceremonies. 

Reception for Graduating Students

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Please join us for refreshments with our newest alumni and their families on Friday, May 3, 2019 from 5 pm to 8 pm outside McGowan Academic Center. 

Directions and Local Accommodations

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Directions to Campus

For information regarding driving directions, maps, and airports, click Visit Campus

Local Accommodations

Graduation is a busy time for the local hotels; you are encouraged to book reservations in advance if you are coming from outside the immediate area. For your convenience, contact information for local hotels in Laurel and the surrounding area is listed here.

Commemorative Keepsakes

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Photography

Classic Photography will be providing class group photos as well as individual portraits of each graduate receiving their diploma. Information on how to order will be sent to each graduate after the ceremony.

Easy ordering will also be available on Classic's website: Click "Graduations" and then click "Order Pictures" and find Capitol Technology University in the drop down menu. You can reach Classic customer service at 800-869-9515.

Diploma Frames

Church Hill Classics offers diploma frames bearing the university seal.  You can find a selection of diploma frame products on their websites.  Keep in mind when ordering that starting in May 2018 all diplomas will be issued in 11"X 14" format.

 

Commencement Procedures

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Commencement Dates

Commencement will take place as follows:
 
2020
Saturday, May 2, 2020 at 9:45 am

Commencement Schedule

Capitol Technology University Commencements are conducted once every year in May on the main campus in Laurel. Commencement ceremonies are held outdoors, rain or shine.
 
There is no maximum number of guests a student is able to invite to the commencement ceremony. On the graduation application, students should indicate the total number of guests. Should this number change, please contact the Office of Registration and Records as soon as possible.
 
Commencement Schedule:
Check In | 8:00 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.
-It is imperative that you arrive on time to check in. Check in is located in the Avrum Gudelsky Auditorium. Once you have checked in, you must remain in the auditorium. During check in you will receive your name card. Do not lose this card.

Regalia Fitting| 8:20 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
-This time will be used to ensure your cap and gown are on properly.

Class Photographs | 9:00 a.m.

Roll Call and Line Up | 9:30 a.m.
-This will occur outside of room 244. You will be lined up alphabetically within your degree program.

Processional Begins | 9:45 a.m.
-The Marshal of the University will lead the processional, followed by the stage guests, trustees, faculty, candidates for AAS degrees, BS degrees, MBA degrees, MS degrees, DSc degrees and PhD degrees. For the recessional, the stage participants will leave first, and the graduates will follow them.

Special Guests/Accommodations

Special Accommodations:
Students requiring special assistance at commencement should email or call The Dean of Students at 240-965-2490 as soon as possible.
 
International Guests
If you have guests from overseas and need visa invitation letters, notify the Office of Registration and Records. The request should be made at your earliest convenience.

Commencement Live Stream Video

For graduates and family who are unable to attend the ceremony it will be broadcast live online.
 

 

 

Attending Commencement To Do List

Bachelor's and Master's Graduates
December graduates are invited to participate in the May commencement ceremony following their term of completion.
 
Students planning to complete all degree requirements by the end of the summer semester (Term I, Term II or Full-Term) are permitted to take part in the May commencement ceremonies as degree candidates.  If a student is not enrolled by April 15 for all their remaining courses, permission to participate in the ceremony as a degree candidate will not be granted.
 
Doctoral Graduates
Doctoral students must complete all degree requirements in order to  participate in the commencement ceremony.  Students completing their degree requirements in August or December are invited to participate in the commencement ceremony the following May.
 
CHECKLIST FOR GRADUATION ATTENDEES

Before graduation, the following actions must be completed. Diplomas and transcripts will not be issued to students who have outstanding library books or fines, outstanding balance in the Business Office, or for Financial Aid recipients who have not completed exit interviews with the Office of Financial Aid.

o       Fulfill all financial obligations to the university. 

o       Return all materials borrowed from Puente Library.

o       Pay graduation fee by April 15.

o       Complete Financial Aid exit interview (financial aid recipients only). Information regarding the exit interview will be sent separately.

o       Complete Residence Life expectations (Residence Life students only).

o       Complete the Graduating Student Survey. Information on how to complete the survey will be sent separately.

Regalia
Graduation Regalia for undergraduate and master's students will be available for pick-up in the Office of Registration and Records from 10:00 am on Monday, April 20, 2020 until 4:00 pm on Friday, May 1, 2020. Bring a photo ID. Regalia will not be mailed to you prior to commencement. Regalia consist of your cap, gown, hood, tassel, and any honor cords. (Honor cords will be distributed at check in on commencement morning). Graduate students only: If you are unable to pick up your regalia before commencement, it will be issued to you during check in on commencement morning.

May graduates:
 
Your diploma will be available for pick up at the conclusion of commencement. You must present photo ID.

Master of Science, Master of Business Administration diploma pick up: room 244/245

Bachelor of Science/Associate of Applied Science diploma pick up: room 266
 
Doctor of Science/Doctor of Philosophy diploma pick up: Dean's Suite, room 215

NOT attending commencement To Do list

CHECKLIST FOR GRADUATION NON-ATTENDEES

All students must complete the following items before Commencement:

□       Fulfill all financial obligations to the university. This means that students should contact the Business Office, the Office of Financial Aid, the Office of Residence Life (if applicable) and the Puente Library to be certain that they have no outstanding obligations.

□       Pay graduation fee by April 15.

□       Complete the Financial Aid Exit Interview (financial aid students only). Information regarding the exit interview is mailed separately.

□       Complete the Graduating Student Survey. Information on how to complete the survey is sent separately.

Diploma
Please inform the Office of Registration and Records of any changes to your diploma mailing address as soon as possible.

·        Spring graduates - Diplomas will be mailed within one month following the commencement ceremony.
·        Summer graduates - Diplomas will be mailed by the last business day in September*
·        Fall graduates -Diplomas will be mailed by the last business day in January.*
 
 

Caps & Gowns and Announcements

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Regalia - Bachelor & Master Students

Regalia is the formal attire that you wear during the commencement ceremony and consists of your cap, gown, hood, tassel, and any honor cords. (Honor cords will be distributed at check in on commencement morning).  Undergraduate and master's students provide their measurements for regalia on their graduation application forms. Doctoral students are responsible for ordering their own regalia and have it shipped to them directly from the vendor. Regalia for all other students will be available for pick-up on campus in the Office of Registration and Records in suite A208 beginning at 10:00 am on Monday, April 20, 2020. You must present valid photo ID at time of pick up. Regalia pick-up will be available during all operating business hours of the office until 4:00 pm on Friday, May 1, 2020.

Regalia - Doctoral Students

Doctoral students are responsible for ordering their own regalia.  Please call Oak Hall Cap and Gown at 1-800-223-0429 and ask for Nicole Cabbler in the Customs Department. It is recommended to order doctoral regalia at least two months prior to commencement or upon registration for DSR-950 or DSR-960. Doctoral students must have Capitol Technology University doctoral regalia to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Graduation Announcements

Graduation announcements are not provided by Capitol Technology University. However, students interested in announcements are welcome to order their own announcements through Jostens. To order announcements, click JOSTENS. On the homepage, search for Capitol Technology University in the search box. Select 'Graduation Announcements' and follow the website instructions for ordering. Announcements come in a variety of packages and take three weeks to process.