Graduation Instructions

Applying for Graduation

To graduate, a student must complete all degree requirements and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or above.

Students may participate in the Commencement ceremonies without completing all graduation requirements if they are no more than six (6) credits short of completing all requirements and have a cumulative grade point average of at least 1.95. A Graduation Application must be submitted, and no degree will be awarded until requirements are met.

You must complete the following steps to graduate:

1) Apply to graduate

All students must first apply to graduate through the Office of the University Registrar in STAR. Students need to apply during the semester that they will be graduating. Students should meet with their academic advisor before completing the application to verify in Degree Works that requirements will be met.

Deadlines to Apply for Graduation for December 2023

December Graduation
Application Opens: August 22, 2023
Application Deadline: October 13, 2023
Degree Posting: Late Dec. to Mid Jan.

May Graduation
Application Opens: Jan 17, 2024
Application Deadline: Mar 10, 2024
Degree Posting: Mid to Late May

August Graduation
Application Opens: May 23, 2024
Application Deadline: July 7, 2024
Degree Posting: Mid to late August

How to Apply

You'll need to provide a mailing address for your diploma/certificate before you start the application process.

1. Navigate to portal.wvu.edu
2. Log in with your WVU ID and Password
3. Select the “STAR” tab from the home screen
4. Click on the link “Student Services and Housing”
5. Click “Student Records”
6. Click “Apply to graduate”

Important: For the curriculum term selection on the first page of the application: select the most recent term in the drop down menu that is available to you (this will be different for every student, please note: this is NOT asking you for the term in which you are graduating or the term in which you started the program, this is simply the last time there was a curriculum/administrative update to your record.)

2) Register to participate

While completing the online application, tell us if you would like to participate in the graduation ceremony – options are Yes, No, Undecided. Potomac State has a May ceremony that includes graduates from August, December, and May. If you change your mind about participation after completing the application, please contact PSCAcademicAffairs@mail.wvu.edu.

3) Order required cap, gown and other optional graduation products (announcements, invitations, etc.)

Caps and gowns should be  ordered online by April 5 which is the deadline for regalia to be shipped to home addresses. If you do not order your cap and gown online prior to April 5, please contact the PSC Bookstore immediately by visiting in-person or calling them at  304-788-6908.

4) Check for any outstanding fees and holds (unpaid parking tickets, overdue library books, fees, etc.)

Students will not be awarded their diploma if there are any unpaid fees. Should any financial holds exist at the time of graduation, the diploma will instead be mailed to the Office of the University Registrar and held per the diploma retention policy. Make sure you are set to graduate by following these steps:

1. Navigate to portal.wvu.edu
2. Log in with your WVU ID and Password
3. Select the “STAR” tab from the home screen
4. Click on “Student Services and Housing”
5. Click on “Student Records”
6. Select the “View Holds” option

* To resolve holds, students will need to contact the office, the “Originator” listed, who has placed the hold on their account.