{"id":1755,"date":"2020-07-30T17:02:16","date_gmt":"2020-07-30T21:02:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/met\/?page_id=1755"},"modified":"2025-08-01T17:26:26","modified_gmt":"2025-08-01T21:26:26","slug":"glossary-of-terms","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/met\/current-students\/graduation\/glossary-of-terms\/","title":{"rendered":"BU Graduation Glossary of Terms"},"content":{"rendered":"

Academic Dress\/Cap and Gown<\/strong>\u2014The traditional garb for graduates of academic institutions. The traditional Boston University commencement garb is red gown and black mortarboard: wear your tassel on the left for the Metropolitan College ceremony.<\/p>\n

Alumna(e)<\/strong>\u2014Female graduate(s) of a college or university.<\/p>\n

Alumni<\/strong>\u2014Group of male graduates or a group of male and female graduates.<\/p>\n

Alumnus<\/strong>\u2014Male graduate.<\/p>\n

Certificate of Graduation<\/strong><\/a>\u2014Also known as Graduation Verification or Degree Verification, the Certificate of Graduation details the graduate\u2019s name, degree(s) awarded, major(s) and minor(s), applicable honors, graduation date(s), and the awarding school(s). It is signed by the Registrar and is imprinted with the official University seal.<\/p>\n

Commencement<\/strong>\u2014Literally, a beginning; the ceremony at which one officially graduates and receives a diploma.<\/p>\n

Graduate Degree Candidate<\/strong>\u2014A graduate student who has fulfilled all academic requirements, completed a Graduation Application, and received approval to graduate from his\/her academic department.<\/p>\n

Graduation Application<\/strong>\u2014Metropolitan College students must complete the Graduation Application in order to graduate. Your completed application will be reviewed by your academic counselor, who will clear you to graduate. This process ensures that each student has met all degree requirements.<\/p>\n

Honors<\/strong>\u2014A title of distinction granted to undergraduates who achieve high grade point averages. Among graduating seniors in each school and college, the Latin honors expressions are defined as follows: Cum Laude<\/em>\u2014\u201cwith praise\u201d or \u201cwith distinction\u201d; Magna Cum Laude<\/em>\u2014\u201cwith great praise\u201d or \u201cwith great distinction\u201d; and Summa Cum Laude<\/em>\u2014\u201cwith highest praise\u201d or \u201cwith highest distinction.\u201d For specific grade point average ranges, please contact your advisor.<\/p>\n

Graduation Verification<\/strong><\/a>\u2014See entry for \u201cCertificate of Graduation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Official Graduate<\/strong>\u2014The designation given to those students who have successfully completed all the requirements of their degree program as certified by their academic counselor (Undergraduate Degree Candidates) or academic department (Graduate Degree Candidates).<\/p>\n

Residency<\/strong>\u2014All Metropolitan College bachelor\u2019s degree candidates must complete a minimum of 12 courses at Boston University, of which at least six courses must be in one\u2019s concentration at the College. Consult with your academic counselor<\/a> if you have questions about residency.<\/p>\n

Senior<\/strong>\u2014An undergraduate student with 32 or fewer units remaining as required for graduation.<\/p>\n

Senior Breakfast<\/strong>\u2014A University-wide event usually held during the first week in May to honor graduating seniors (undergraduates). The Alumni Office contacts May graduates shortly before the event.<\/p>\n

Senior Week<\/strong>\u2014A week of events and celebration for University-wide graduating seniors (undergraduates). Metropolitan College students may participate in any of these events as they wish. Questions should be directed to the Student Activities office<\/a> at 617-353-3635.<\/p>\n

Undergraduate Degree Candidate<\/strong>\u2014An undergraduate who has fulfilled all academic requirements, completed a Graduation Application<\/a>, and received approval to graduate from an academic counselor.<\/p>\n

Walking<\/strong>\u2014The act of participating in the May commencement ceremony before one has completed all of the requirements to graduate (your graduation takes place, and your diploma will be given to you only after your academic counselor or department has certified that all degree requirements have been completed).<\/p>\n