About Graduating

The title of Valedictorian is bestowed on the student who hold the highest academic ranking among the graduation class. The Valedictorian has earned the highest cumulative grade point average (CGPA) as assessed at the end of the Fall semester prior to the May graduation term.
The Valedictorian is invited to deliver the Student Address during the Commencement Ceremony.
In the case of two equally qualified students, two Co-Valedictorians are selected.

The title of Salutatorian is bestowed on the student who hold the second highest academic ranking among the graduation class. The Salutatorian has earned the second highest cumulative grade point average (CGPA) as assessed at the end of the Fall semester prior to the May graduation term.

Latin honors, designated at summa, magna and cum laude, date back to the 19th century, and are commonly used in American universities to recognize students of the highest academic distinction. Latin Honors are conferred on students based on their academic performance over the entirety of their undergraduate studies. Upon graduating, students on whom Latin Honors are conferred, have such a distinction noted on their Diploma.
Students with preliminary Latin Honors designations wear Latin Honors cords as part of their regalia at Commencement.
- Summa cum Laude (“with the greatest honor”) – Cumulative Graduating GPA of 3.90–4.00 (gold and silver cords)
- Magna cum Laude (“with great honor”) – Cumulative Graduating GPA of 3.60–3.89 (gold cord)
- Cum Laude (“with honor”) – Cumulative Graduating GPA of 3.30–3.59 (silver cord)
Candidates for Latin Honors must have completed a minimum of 45 credits at VCU/VCUQ.
Calculation of the GPA for honors determination is based on grades received for all courses taken for credit at VCU, as well as for credits accepted for transfer at VCU. However, to qualify for graduation honors, a student’s GPA for courses taken for credit at VCU must be at least as high as the minimum required for the specific honor bestowed.

University Honors are bestowed on students who have participated in the Honors Program at VCUarts Qatar and who have met the stated requirements of that program.
Honors Program Graduates wear the VCU Honors College medallion as a part of their regalia.

A student has effectively graduated when their Academic Transcript in eServices indicates the degree that is awarded (BA, BFA, MFA) as well as the graduation date.
Degrees are awarded after all graduation reviews and audits are completed, both by VCUarts Qatar and VCU.
- For May graduates, that is generally approx. 4 weeks after Commencement
- For August/December graduates, that is generally approx. 4 weeks after the semester at the end of which you are graduating (Summer or Fall) ends.

A student’s diploma is printed in, and sent from, Richmond, VA, USA. Diplomas arrive in Qatar generally 10 weeks after a student’s Academic Transcript (in eServices) indicates the degree has been awarded.
- For May graduates, Diplomas arrive at VCUarts Qatar – at the earliest – end-July/early-August.
- For December graduates, Diplomas arrive at VCUarts Qatar – at the earliest – end-February/early March.
- For August graduates, Diplomas arrive at VCUarts Qatar – at the earliest – end October/early November.
To be issued their diploma, students may not have any Holds on their VCU-record and must have completed Student Affairs’ Exit Survey and Interview.

The VCUarts Qatar Commencement and QF Convocation are the Ceremonies which celebrate students who have completed their academic degree program, and thus considered to be “graduating”.
Commencement and Convocation are held at the end of the Spring term only.
Students who are no more than six (6) semester credits away from completing their academic degree program, may request to participate in the Commencement/Convocation Ceremonies, provided they plan to complete the remaining credits by the end of the subsequent Fall term. Such students must complete/submit the Commencement Participation Request Form available from the VCUarts Qatar Intranet. (Section: Enrollment and Registration Services).

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