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Graduation

 


Graduation Requirements
Applying for Graduation
Diplomas
Damaged Mailed Diploma
Request a Duplicate Diploma
Graduation Rate Disclosure
Timeline for Winter Graduation
Timeline for Spring Graduation

Graduation Requirements

Graduation from PennWest Clarion with a baccalaureate or associate degree requires successful completion of all specified major, degree, and university requirements outlined by the College of Arts, Education and Sciences; the College of Business Administration and Information Sciences; and College of Education, Health and Human Services.

Undergraduate students must successfully complete a minimum of 120 credits (60 credits for the associate degree) with both a major and cumulative quality-point average of at least 2.00 except where the requirements of a particular program or college is higher. Please refer to the Residency Policy for additional residency requirements.

All students are responsible for knowing the major, degree, and university requirements of their respective programs. Students are advised to meet with their academic advisor on a regular basis throughout their undergraduate career.

A student at PennWest Clarion may earn a second major within the same college of the university and within the same degree category (B.S., B.A., or B.F.A.) by completing all requirements of both major programs. For additional information, see the Second Degrees and Majors Policy.

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Diplomas

Diplomas are mailed after completion of all degree requirements have been verified (approximately 4 weeks). All graduation requirements must be completed and any course with a grade of Incomplete or In Progress must be changed to a letter grade before your degree can be granted. Also, all transfer credits must be received and recorded. If you did not attend the commencement ceremony to receive a diploma cover, you may request a diploma cover in writing to the Registrar's Office 840 Wood St Clarion PA 16214 and include $3.00 for postage made payable to PennWest Clarion.

All holds and outstanding balances on your account must be cleared from your record before your diploma can be released. Holds include any financial obligations to the University, including fees, parking tickets, Hreachmack loans, keys returned to Public Safety and the completion of the Perkins Exit interview.

Diplomas bear the name of your degree (ex. Bachelor of Science), latin honors (if earned) and last date of the term (not the day of the commencement ceremony).  Diplomas do not include your majors or minors. Your academic transcript will include all majors, minors, and academic honors.

**Please note: Clarion will be integrating with California University of PA and Edinboro University of PA to form one unified university.  Students who complete their degree requirements by June 30, 2022, will receive a degree from their current university (California, Clarion or Edinboro).  Students who complete their degree requirements after that date will receive a degree from the new integrated university.  Your campus location will be reflected on the diploma.** 

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DAMAGED MAILED DIPLOMA

If your diploma is damaged by the USPS carrier, take it to your local post office in the original mailer & request payment ($15.00 postal money order payable to PennWest Clarion) for a replacement diploma.  If your local postmaster is not willing to cover replacement cost or the damage was caused by other factors, place damaged diploma in regular business size envelope and return it to the Registrar's Office with a request for a replacement. 

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Requesting a Duplicate Diploma 

Duplicate diplomas are not available at this time. You may submit your request but it will be held until
we can resume processing.

Please complete and submit the duplicate diploma order request form which must include the following:

1. Full/Legal name to be printed on diploma (and any previous names used) • You are required to update your student record with any name and/or address changes • PRIOR to submitting your order. Please complete the Student Information Change Form.

2. Degree(s) and graduation date(s) • Per PASSHE policy, diplomas do NOT identify the major field of study completed, except when it is part of the degree designation (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Education).

3. Number of copies required for each degree ($25 per copy)

4. Current contact information (address/phone number) for mailing

5. Specific instructions on any special handling needs, such as notarization and international mailing which will increase costs and processing time • For expedited and/or international mailings, a pre-paid shipping label is highly preferred and strongly recommended. Since the University is unable to mail via COD and shipping fees may notbe available until a diploma is ready to be mailed, the processing/turnaround time will increase. Any additional payment required to cover special shipping fees must be received prior to the University releasing a diploma.

6. Rush orders requiring immediate processing ($10 per order, not per diploma) - Please indicate "RUSH" on your request. A rush order will be submitted to the printing company within 3 business days of receipt of your written request and payment. The company will then ship the diploma directly to the address indicate on this form within 14 business days.

7. Check or money order made payable to "Pennsylvania Western University"

8. Signature and printed name of requester/graduate and date

Mail requests to the following address:

Registrar's Office
PennWest University
840 Wood Street
Clarion, PA 16214

*Processing time for duplicate diplomas will vary depending on the date the request is received.

*Clarion has integrated with California University of PA and Edinboro University of PA to form one unified university. If you request a duplicate diploma after June 30, 2022, your duplicate diploma will reflect the name of the new integrated university, PennWest University. Your campus location will also be reflected on your diploma.


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Graduation Rate Disclosure

The following information is provided in accordance with Public Law 101-542, the "Student Right-to-Know Act".

PennWest Clarion's graduation rate has been consistently higher than national averages for comparable institutions. The most recent graduation rate, which is for full-time baccalaureate students who enroll for the first time at PennWest Clarion in the 2015 Fall Semester, was 57.75%.

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Timeline for Winter Graduation

March - May 

Apply for Graduation through your MyClarion Student Center.

Before applying for graduation, please review your degree audit to ensure that you meet all the requirements for the term you are applying.  You are responsible for making sure you have satisfied all requirements for your degree and should meet with your advisor to confirm.  If any course substitutions or waivers are needed, you should make sure those are discussed with your advisor and submitted in advance if at all possible.

Oct. 4       
Deadline for your college dean to approve your Application for Graduation and to notify the Registrar's Office.

You must apply before the deadline (Oct 4th).  Only students who applied to graduate and are approved for graduation by their advisor will be eligible to participate in commencement.  You must apply for graduation regardless of whether or not you plan to participate in the commencement ceremony.
 Dec. 11 Winter Commencement
 Late-December  Unofficial transcripts with degree posted will be available via the MyClarion Student Center. Requests for official transcripts must include name, Clarion ID, signature, and address for forwarding transcript.
 Mid-January  Expect receipt of diploma in the mail.

Please note
:  All holds must be cleared from your record before your diploma and final transcripts can be released.  Holds include any financial obligations to the university, including fees, parking tickets, Hreachmack loans, and completion of the Perkins Exit Interview.

All graduation requirements must be completed before your diploma will be mailed.  Any course with a grade of Incomplete or In-Progress must be changed to a letter grade before your degree can be granted.  All transfer credits must be received and recorded.


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Timeline for Spring Graduation 

October - December Apply for Graduation through your MyClarion Student Center.

Before applying for graduation, please review your degree audit to ensure that you meet all the requirements for the term you are applying.  You are responsible for making sure you have satisfied all requirements for your degree and should meet with your advisor to confirm.  If any course substitutions or waivers are needed, you should make sure those are discussed with your advisor and submitted in advance if at all possible.

March 7
Deadline to apply online.

You must apply before the deadline (March 7th).  Only students who applied to graduate and are approved for graduation by their advisor will be eligible to participate in commencement.  You must apply for graduation regardless of whether or not you plan to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Early April Letter with information regarding graduation sent to your campus/local address. Information is also available at the Registrar's Office.
Mid-April President's invitation to your family
May 7
Commencement ceremony
End of May Unofficial transcripts with degree posted will be available via the MyClarion Student Center. Requests for official transcripts must include name, Clarion ID, signature, and address for forwarding transcript.
Early June Expect receipt of diploma in the mail.

Please note
:  All holds must be cleared from your record before your diploma and final transcripts can be released.  Holds include any financial obligations to the university, including fees, parking tickets, Hreachmack loans, and completion of the Perkins Exit Interview.

All graduation requirements must be completed before your diploma will be mailed.  Any course with a grade of Incomplete or In-Progress must be changed to a letter grade before your degree can be granted.  All transfer credits must be received and recorded.

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Last Updated 2/16/23