Frequently Asked Questions

Complete the online application for graduation in LEO Online by clicking Apply to Graduate under the Student Records menu.

To be eligible to apply to graduate, students must meet the following requirements:

• Undergraduate Students: must have at least 90 earned credit hours (senior standing), 15 ODU hours, and a minimum 2.0 GPA, and the degree must be declared (degree "intended" students should see the academic advisor to be declared)
• Graduate Students: must have at least 12 earned credit hours, 12 ODU hours, and a minimum 3.0 GPA
• If you do not meet the minimum eligibility requirements, you will not be able to apply for graduation.

Declared, degree-seeking undergraduate students who have earned more than 102 academic credits will be reminded via e-mail to the ODU e-mail account that they may be eligible to apply for graduation. The e-mail includes instructions on how to apply for graduation.

Students should apply for graduation approximately 6 months prior to the degree semester. Deadlines for applications are listed on the detailed Academic Calendar for each term, or see Applying for Graduation.

Second Degree:

The University will permit a student to acquire a second baccalaureate degree, provided that he or she: (1) pursues a different course of study; (2) meets all University, college, school, and departmental requirements (credits earned for the first degree may be applied, if suitable, toward the second degree); and (3) completes a minimum of 30 semester hours at Old Dominion University that are beyond the requirements for the first degree. A minimum of 150 credit hours is required for students earning two baccalaureate degrees from ODU. If the degrees are to be awarded simultaneously, a graduation application listing both degrees must be received and degree certifications must be submitted through the respective advisors for each degree program. Complete information is available in the University Catalog (Second Baccalaureate Degree).

Second Major:

The University permits an undergraduate student to pursue a second major. A student pursuing two majors must meet all the degree requirements of one major and at least the departmental requirements of the other. (Most professional degree majors require completion of both the departmental/school and the college requirements.) Requirements for both majors MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE BACCALAUREATE DEGREE. The student will receive one baccalaureate degree. Both majors will appear on the transcript. The degree awarded will be determined by the major to which University and college requirements are applied. Prior to undertaking the second major, the student must have the program approved by the appropriate chief departmental advisor/chair and dean. If you are pursuing a double major, your notification letter should include information on both majors. Complete information is available in the University Catalog (Second Major).

If you wish to change your application by, for example, changing your major or adding a minor, you must notify the University Registrar in writing or by e-mail to graduate@odu.edu. It is imperative that both the Office of the University Registrar and the academic department be notified of any changes to majors, minors, and concentrations.

All activities related to Commencement are managed by the Office of University Events, 106 Koch Hall and are published at the Commencement website. Questions about commencement should be directed to (757) 683-6797 or e-mail commencement@odu.edu.

Yes. Students who apply for graduation one week prior to the deadline for Summer graduation may participate in Spring commencement. Information on tickets for commencement is available at the Commencement website.

No. A registration hold is placed on your account until you are re-admitted in a new status (2nd degree, graduate, or non-degree). You must also complete a new Application for In-state Tuition when your status changes, in order to qualify for in-state tuition rates.

Courses taken subsequent to the awarding of your degree cannot be used to meet requirements of the degree already awarded and may not be used for grade forgiveness for courses taken prior to the awarding of the degree. Contact the Office of Admissions for more information.

No, there is no commencement ceremony in August. You may walk in the May ceremonies.

Credit is disallowed for reasons such as: duplicate coursework, exceeding the number of hours allowed for a repeatable course, or remedial (General Studies, GNST) courses.

Students who are graduating at the end of the current term will have a hold that prevents further registration. If you need to take courses beyond your expected graduation date to complete your degree requirements, you must notify the Registrar's Office by e-mailing graduate@odu.edu to change your graduation date and request that the hold be lifted.

Students are discouraged from taking coursework at another institution during their final semester at Old Dominion University, as it can delay the awarding of the degree.

To transfer coursework to a degree program at Old Dominion University, you must first receive permission from your academic department. Students must have a final official transcript from the university you attended sent to the Office of Admissions, 108 Rollins Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529.

All degree requirements must be completed prior to the graduation date.

It can take up to 4-6 weeks after the official degree conferral date for the Graduation staff to review and clear all pending graduation candidates.

Participation in commencement ceremonies does not imply or confirm that a degree has been conferred.

Students can check the graduation status in LEO Online to see whether the degree has been awarded and posted to the academic record. The awarded degree also shows on the unofficial transcript in LEO Online.

Questions about meeting departmental requirements should be discussed with your acedemic advisor or another departmental representative. Distance learning students should contact your Site Director or the Office of Distance Learning.

At least 150 hours are required to complete a double undergraduate degree.

Resident credits are those earned through classroom attendance and coursework completed at ODU.

A minimum of 25% of the total number of credits required for the degree must be resident credit, which includes on- and off-campus instruction. This must include a minimum of 12 credit hours of upper-level courses (300/400 level) in the declared major program. Thirty credits in a 120-credit degree program qualifies as 25%.

You must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.0. Departmental requirements for GPA in your major may be higher.

No.

No. All diplomas for students receiving undergraduate or graduate degrees are distributed by mail within 4-8 weeks after the commencement ceremony.

No. Students who complete a double major will be recognized on the student's transcript.

No. The major is listed on the transcript but is not printed on the diploma. The minor is listed on the transcript but is not printed on the diploma.

Diplomas will be prepared within 4-8 weeks after the conferral date. Diplomas are mailed to the permanent address on file with the University Registrar at the time of diploma production. You can keep your address up to date by using LEO Online.

We are unable to offer diploma pickup options.

The diploma is 11"x14" and displayed horizontally.