Information for Graduating Seniors

Contents:
What is Graduation
Graduating Senior Priority Registration
UW and Departmental Ceremonies
Diplomas and Degree Validation
ODE and Baccalaureate Honors
Career Planning and Internships
Alumni Information

What is Graduation: 
Graduation is not automatic; you must file your graduation paperwork.  If you will graduate with a double major or a double degree, you must file graduation paperwork with your other department as well.  Graduation paperwork must be filed by the third Friday of the quarter you plan to graduate, however if you want Graduating Senior Priority registration, you must apply earlier (see below).

The UW requires that students must complete 45 of his/her last 60 credits while "in residence" at the UW.  Distance learning courses, courses from other schools, and courses taken at UW Tacoma or UW Bothell are considered out of residence credits.  Consult with an adviser if this will cause problems for you or if you have any questions about taking courses

Graduating Senior Priority Registration (GSP) Registration: 
By filing your graduation paperwork, you can receive two quarters of GSP registration.  You should make an appointment to file your graduation paperwork two and a half quarters prior to graduation.  For instance, if you are planning to graduate in June ,you should meet with an adviser in October-early November so that you can have GSP for winter and spring quarters. 

You can have a maximum of 2 quarters of GSP.  When you have used your GSP for two quarters, and if you are still attending classes, then you will revert to regular senior priority.  You can save your GSP by simply not using it and registering during regular senior registration. 

UW and Departmental Ceremonies: 
You can visit the UW Commencement web page for information regarding the Commencement Ceremony in June.  On this site, you will find information regarding cap and gown, tickets, announcements, parking, etc.  You must register yourself on the commencement website in May if you wish to participate in the ceremony.  You may complete your degree any quarter of your choice, however, you may "walk" in the June ceremony if you complete your degree in the previous December or March, June or the following August. 

Graduating economics students and their family and friends will be invited to the Economics Department Graduation Celebration, to be held on Friday, June 8th, 2012 at 2:30pm at the Center for Spiritual Living (since the HUB will be under renovation). This celebration will include a ceremony, keynote speaker, department awards, the presentation of the graduates, and will be followed by a reception. More details regarding the event can be found here.

Diplomas and Degree Validation: 
It takes 3-4 months for diplomas to arrive in the mail.  Prospective employers and others who need verification that you've earned your degree can access this information through a UW degree validation website. 

Omicron Delta Epsilon (International Economics Honor Society) and Baccalaureate Honors: 
Economics juniors and seniors who have demonstrated high scholarship in the economics major and in overall college coursework should receive invitations to joint Omicron Delta Epsilon (ODE).  Eligible students will have earned a minimum of 20 upper-division (300- and 400-level) economics credits with a minimum GPA of 3.3, and have achieved a minimum overall UW GPA of 3.2. STAT 311 and other statistics courses are omitted from the **major GPA** calculation.

Baccalaureate honors are: Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Summa Cum Laude.  These honors are awarded upon graduation to undergraduates who are earning their first bachelor's degree with at least 90 credits taken at UW.  Of these 90 credits, 60 must be numerically graded (extension credits do not count toward these 60 credits).  These honors have nothing to do with whether a student is in the departmental or College Honors Program. 

Students graduating with baccalaureate honors are given a gold honor cord to wear at the June Commencement ceremony.  For students graduating in the spring, the honors listed in the Commencement program (and honor cord distribution), are based on the student's winter quarter cumulative GPA.  Spring classes are ultimately included in the credit totals and GPA calculations, determining wither the honors are posted to the student's final record. You can find more information about baccalaureate honors, the Dean's list, and other honors societies on the UW Baccalaureate Honors web site. 

Career Planning and Internships: 
Take advantage of The Career Center in 134 Mary Gates Hall. While you are a student, most of their services are free. The Career Center offers help in job-hunting skills and career planning. For career planning, students may also take the class GEN ST 350 Navigating Career Options, which is facilitated by a Career Counselor. Also, sign up for their HuskyJobs service on their web site, which will allow you to post your resume online as well as search for jobs and internships.

Completing an internship is a good idea for students with limited work experience. The Carlson Center in Mary Gates Hall maintains postings of internships in the public center.  You can view private sector internship postings at the Center for Career Services or on HuskyJobs.  You can earn academic credit for an economics-related internship by enrolling in ECON 399.  If the internship is not related to economics, you can earn credit through General Studies 350.  Both options require a faculty adviser to sponsor your internship work. 

Alumni Information: 
Make sure to stay in touch with the department and your fellow alumni!  The Economics Department has an alumni directory that you can sign up to.  You should also check out the UW Alumni Association web page for information about one free year of membership and how to set up your UW alumni email account (free service!). There is also the UW Economics Alumni Organization (UWEAO) that you should consider checking out for information on upcoming alumni events.