Diplomas, Awards & Honors FAQ
- When will students receive their diplomas?
- Where and when do graduates with interdisciplinary majors get their diplomas?
- I am an undergraduate with two majors. Which ceremony do I attend to receive my diploma?
- How will the diploma read?
Do you have another question? Contact the [[w|studentaffairs, Office of Student Affairs]] by email or phone (757-221-1236).
When will students receive their diplomas?
Undergraduates and some masters students who have completed all of their degree requirements prior to Commencement will receive their diplomas at the departmental events following the main Commencement ceremony on Sunday. Students with double majors and those who major in interdisciplinary programs (e.g., Public Policy, Women's Studies, Neuroscience) must choose which department ceremony they will attend on Sunday to receive their diplomas. Although several interdisciplinary programs have events on Saturday to recognize their graduates, no diplomas will be issued at these events. This is because degrees are officially conferred by the President of the College at the main Commencement ceremony, and diplomas may not be presented before then. All masters students in some programs will receive their diplomas by mail, as will undergraduates who plan to complete their degree requirements in August. Likewise, doctoral students will either receive their diplomas at their departmental event or by mail, depending on the school issuing the degree.
Note: For students with a major in Global Studies or International Relations, the 2:30 p.m. Sunday listing is for diploma pick-up only. Given the number of graduates who major in Global Studies or International Relations, a special recognition event is typically held for those students on Saturday morning.
Where and when do graduates with interdisciplinary majors get their diplomas?
Most students with interdisciplinary majors will need to select which of the 2:30 p.m. departmental ceremonies to attend on Sunday after the main exercises in W&M Hall. It is critical that students notify the Registrar's Office of their choice in advance so that diplomas are delivered to the proper sites for presentation on Sunday afternoon. Several interdisciplinary majors regularly host receptions to recognize their graduates on the Saturday of Commencement Weekend. No diplomas are distributed on Saturday.
I am an undergraduate with two majors. Which ceremony do I attend to receive my diploma?
You will need to let the Registrar's Office know which departmental ceremony you plan to attend for your diploma presentation. That office is responsible for sorting diplomas and making sure they are in the right location for students with more than one major. Your diploma will go to the department of your primary major unless you specify otherwise.
How will the diploma read?
Diplomas for degrees in the Arts & Sciences, except for Public Policy, are written in Latin. An English translation is provided with the diploma. Diplomas for degrees in Public Policy, Law, Education, and Business are in English and read as follows:
The President and Professors of the (School) of the College of William and Mary in Virginia have conferred the degree of (Title of Degree) upon (Name of Recipient), who has completed the prescribed studies and satisfied the requirements for this degree, and who, by virtue of the present diploma, may enjoy the rights, privileges, and honor which pertain to it. In testimony whereof we have caused this diploma to be signed by the President of the College, and the Dean of the School under the seal of the College attested to by the Registrar in Williamsburg on this (Graduation Date).
Diplomas indicate the specific degree a student is receiving (Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Business Administration, etc), but do not include a student's major(s) or minor(s).