Common Nomenclatures

Business Cards

Also known as calling cards, business cards contain one’s name, profession, position, and contact information. These cards are to be given to those whom you wish to contact you. These are especially helpful during networking and career opportunities.

Commencement

Commencement is a weekend-long series of events celebrating students who are graduating. William & Mary’s Commencement website includes all the up to date information for each year. The commencement ceremony is for all graduates of William & Mary, and is where the formal pomp and circumstance will occur. At this celebration, you will not have you name called nor will you receive your diploma, but instead will be recognized as a graduate of William & Mary.

Degree

Your degree is what is conferred to you. For example, if you are in the Full-Time MBA Program, you will receive a “Masters of Business Administration” degree. The conferral of your degree is based upon the successful completion of your program requirements.

Business School Graduation Ceremony

Different than commencement, the business school's graduation ceremony is a dedicated to all graduating students from the Raymond A. Mason School of Business. This is the ceremony where you will have your name called and walk across the stage and have your photo taken with the Dean. More information about Mason's Graduation Ceremony can be found here.

Diploma

A diploma is a physical certificate display of your degree. This will be mailed to you by William & Mary's Registrar's office several weeks after commencement.  

Transcript

Documentation of a student’s permanent academic record, including courses taken, grades received, honors received, and degrees conferred. You can request your transcript by visiting this webpage.