Ph.D. graduation information

Ph.D. Program

Graduation

VCU graduation The university confers degrees in December, May and August. Graduation requirements for the doctorate degree in Social Work include:

Completion of a minimum of 54 credits
Meeting the grade-related standards of the program
Successful defense of the dissertation

Procedures for applying for graduation and the schedule of due dates for applications are distributed to degree candidates through eServices and via VCU e-mail at the beginning of each semester. Degree candidates who do not graduate at the end of the semester for which they have made application must reapply.

School of Social Work Graduation Ceremony

The VCU School of Social Work holds a separate and special graduation ceremony each May for B.S.W., M.S.W. and Ph.D. graduates. Graduates wear caps and gowns and are individually recognized at this ceremony. There are typically no limits on guest attendance so graduates are encouraged to invite family and friends to this event, as well as the main university ceremony held the following day.

May graduates

If you expect to complete all graduation requirements by May, your graduation application must be completed and submitted to your adviser by the date published in the current VCU Academic Calendar. Instructions regarding the graduation application process are sent to degree candidates through eServices and via VCU e-mail.

The graduation application process is performed online through eServices. All Ph.D. Program graduates are required to submit a completed and signed VCU graduation application [PDF], to their faculty adviser by the due date.

Students completing graduation requirements in August do not submit their application at this time.

For more information, visit Information for Graduate Students [PDF].

Information about your VCU e-mail account can be accessed through the VCU student handbook.

August and December graduates

August graduates complete their graduation applications after spring semester grades are recorded in late May/early June. December graduates submit the graduation application early in the fall semester. The due dates for August and December graduates to complete and submit the graduation application to their faculty adviser are published in the current VCU Academic Calendar. Instructions regarding the graduation application process for August and December candidates are sent to students through eServices and via VCU e-mail.