Program Exit Process

Congratulations! You are one step closer to the completion of your program! By now, you have put significant effort into your degree and have enrolled in your final semester of study for your current program. Now it is time to apply for Program Exit!

Please keep in mind that requesting and receiving your diploma or certificate is not automatic, and you must complete the Program Exit process in order to do so.

It is each student’s responsibility to submit an online Program Exist Application in your Student Portal. You MUST complete the online application whether you attend the annual commencement ceremony or not. Students are responsible for tracking their progress toward degree/program completion, and also for notifying the Registrar’s Office that they intend to graduate via completion of the Program Exit Process.

The online Program Exit Application involves several departments at FXUA. Early application is encouraged to allow time for a complete record check and to avoid any delays. Failure to complete the Program Exit Process fully will result in a delay in processing the creation of the diploma or certificate. No transcripts or other proof of program completion will be issued unless/until the Program Exit Process is completed.

FXUA Program Exit Application Process

  1. The student can log into the FXUA Student portal to start the Program Exit Application process. The application can be found under Student Resources.
  2. The Academic Advisor or Program Chair will review the application and may approve or deny it.
  3. Approval requires completion of all programmatic and institutional degree requirements. If approved the application will move to the Library & Student Accounts for approval.
  4. The student must pay any outstanding dues to the accounting office and return any books that have been borrowed before the end of the semester.
  5. The Library & Student Account’s offices must review and approve the application before it moves to the Registrar’s Office.
  6. The Office of the Registrar reviews the student’s degree audit and current semester schedule to ensure that they are on track for degree completion and the application is processed accordingly.
  7. Students will automatically get the application status notification once the review has been completed by the Registrar’s Office.

NOTE: The Program Exit Application approval is contingent upon satisfactory review and approval from step 2 – 6.

IMPORTANT: Please remember, in order to graduate from Fairfax University of America, you must fulfill all program, academic, financial, and university requirements. All requirements will be verified by your school and the Registrar’s Office. If you do not meet these requirements, you will not be awarded a degree. The university has a graduation appeals process to consider written appeals from students who do not meet all requirements.

Degree Conferral versus Commencement

Degree conferral is the act of awarding credentials for successfully completing the programmatic requirements outlined in the Academic Catalog. This is distinct from the Commencement Ceremony, which is the formal celebration that the entire learning community participates in to honor those who have graduated.

Students who do not notify the Office of the Registrar of their intent to graduate, but who meet all graduation requirements, will be changed to an “Alumni” status once the Office of the Registrar deems that the degree requirements have been met. Students who do not complete the Program exit Process will not be able to receive their diploma or certificate, transcripts, nor any proof of program completion until the Program Exit Process is completed.

The date that a degree is conferred and the date of graduation (program completion) is the final day of the semester or term in which the student is registered and completed all graduation requirements.

Program Exit Application Deadlines

In order to have your diploma/certificate issued, submit your completed graduation application online on time. Please see the academic calendar for the deadline dates for each semester/term.

Degree Requirements

Students should meet the following minimum requirements to be qualified for a degree:

Graduate Undergraduate Graduate Level Certificate
Minimum Passing Grade Per Course C D- C
Minimum Cumulative GPA 3.00 2.00 3.00
Total Credits required for graduation 36 120 18

Students cannot receive a level completion for partially completed levels.

Fees

Program Exit Application (graduation) fee is charged when the student applies for graduation upon completion of their program of study. This fee is charged regardless of the student’s intention to participate in the annual Commencement Ceremony. The fee covers costs of diploma/certificate creation and mailing.

See the fees in the Academic Catalog for information on the current Program Exit fees.

Records

Please keep in mind that diplomas and certificates take time to create. The time varies based upon the time of year that a student is completing their program. It can take up to 8 weeks for a diploma or certificate to be made and shipped to the student once all degree requirements have been verified at the completion of the semester.

Cancellation of Graduation Application

If you decide to postpone your program exit, you must inform the Office of the Registrar in writing of your intent to contact the Registrar’s Office.

For a variety of reasons, a student may wish to continue in their degree program beyond completion of the minimum requirements. In such instances, students must petition to remain in the program beyond meeting all minimum graduation requirements. Remember that records are sealed at graduation and no changes may be made to the academic record (transcript) after a degree has been awarded. Therefore, early notice should be given to the Registrar’s Office as soon as a student decides to extend their program.

Students whose applications get cancelled must reapply for Program Exit in order to be considered for a subsequent semester.

Graduation Ceremony

The commencement ceremony information, which includes instructions for purchasing a cap and gown, will be emailed to applicants by the Student Affairs Office sometime in February. The commencement ceremony is held once a year, after the end of Spring semester.