Forms & Procedures

Graduate Thesis or Project/Creative Work Procedures

As part of the Fredonia Graduate Studies experience, we require all students follow our graduate thesis/project/creative work procedures. These procedures will allow us to archive your work so it will be accessible for future viewing. Please follow the directions below to submit your thesis, final project, or creative activity.

Student Responsibilities

• The student completes either the Thesis Permissions Packet or the Master’s Project/Creative Work Permissions Packet and submits the packet, two cover pages (sample here), and thesis/project/creative work to the thesis advisor.
• The student prints two cover pages and obtains the appropriate signatures on one of the pages. The second cover page is to be left blank of all signatures. Either the student or the advisor send the printed Permissions Packet to the appropriate Dean's office for review. If the student is enrolled in a fully online program, the student signs the signature page electronically and forwards the Permissions Packed to the advisor who then prints it and forwards the hard copy to the appropriate dean.

Department Secretary Responsibilities

• The Vice Provost forwards completed hard copies of the permissions packet, blank cover page, and the thesis/project/creative work to the department secretary. The Vice Provost will retain the signed cover page in the Provost's Office.
• The department secretary creates a folder for each student in the appropriate semester directory.
• The department secretary uploads the permissions packet, thesis/project/creative work, and blank cover page to the appropriate shared directory, as below.
  • M:\Masters-Projects-Creative-Works‎
  • M:\Masters-Theses

[EXAMPLE: Alison Smith turns in a Biology thesis for Spring 2022. After receiving all completed information from the Vice Provost, the department secretary navigates to the M:\Masters-Theses directory and accesses the Spring 2022 subdirectory. The secretary creates a new folder named Smith, Alison and uploads all documents to that folder.]

Reed Library Responsibilities

• The library archivist completes the cataloging process and uploads the thesis/project/creative work to dSpace. 
• Library patrons will be able to search for and access theses/projects/creative works. These works can be accessed by anyone using the search function on the Reed Library website.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email:graduate.admissions@fredonia.edu or call 716-673-3808.

Withdrawal Process

A student who finds it necessary to leave the university before the end of a semester must officially withdraw by the deadline published in the academic calendar. To begin the process start by downloading and filling out the 'Withdrawal Form,' which can be found below in step 1.

*Students will be permitted to withdraw during the final three weeks of the semester ONLY for reasons due to illness or other cogent reasons as determined by the Office of Student Affairs. You can email Student Affairs at, ess@fredonia.edu

Step 1: Graduate Withdrawal Form

Step 2: Return the completed form to Academic Advising Services (located in Fenton Hall, Room 2114), or email a copy to, advising@fredonia.edu

Not-Returning Process

The Not Returning process should be pursued if a graduate student plans to COMPLETE the current semester, but knows they are not planning to return in the upcoming semester.

Step 1: Click on the 'Not Returning Form' link 

**to fill out the form, you must be logged-in via your Fredonia account  

Fredonia holds a morning and afternoon ceremony in May for Bachelor's and Master's degrees and Advanced Certificate graduates.

For complete Commencement information, please go to the Commencement website.

Apply for Graduation

A student who expects to graduate at a given date must complete the Application for Degree form in the Registrar's Office no later than the third full week of classes of the final semester of attendance. Please check the academic calendarfor specific graduation application deadlines.

There is no fee to apply for your degree.

If you have further questions or comments regarding the degree application process, please call the Registrar's Office, 716-673-3171.

There is a link for information on when you will graduate, morning or afternoon, according to your academic major.

You are eligible to participate in one of two ceremonies in the Steele Hall arena if you meet one of the following conditions:

• You completed or anticipate completing master's degree or advanced certificate requirements in January, May, August or December 2022.
• You completed degree or certificate requirements in August or December 2021, and did not participate in the 2021 Commencement Stage Walk.

Cap, Gown, and Hood

The Master's cap, gown, hood, and tassel can be purchased in the campus Bookstore up until, and including, the day of graduation.

Prices:

Advanced Certificate candidates may also obtain a Master's hood if applicable.

Tickets

Commencement tickets are free to degree candidates. You may pick up your tickets in the Campus Ticket Office in the Williams Center. You must show photo I.D. when picking up your tickets.

If you are unable to pick up your tickets, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Campus Ticket Office, Williams Center, Fredonia, Fredonia, NY 14063, by Wednesday, May 11, and the tickets will be mailed to you. Please include a note indicating which ceremony you'll be participating in (see the list on this website), your Fredonia number and your e-mail address. Tickets requested in this manner will not be mailed after May 12. We are not able to send tickets internationally.

If you require additional tickets you must indicate this on the Commencement Participation Form, which will be available in March 2022.

Rehearsal

Commencement rehearsal is located in the Steele Hall arena on the Friday before graduation at 4 p.m. Proper procedures for hooding are given during the rehearsal.