The Road to Graduation 
A Timeline from CGA Student to CGA Graduate
If you’re approaching the end of your CGA studies, you should be planning ahead for your graduation.  The graduation process takes approximately three months in total. Here are some general guideposts to consider along the way:

Exam Week – Approximately three weeks after you write your last exam, and have completed your practical experience and degree requirement, you will be deemed eligible for graduation.  The Association will e-mail notification of your potential graduate status and will require that you follow the graduation process.

Graduation Process – Once you have fulfilled all the CGA-BC program requirements, you must complete the application for membership forms.  Application to membership requires sponsorship by two CGA-BC members (or CGA-Yukon members for students residing in the Yukon).  This is an integral part of the membership requirements; you should attempt to secure sponsors early on in the program.  By signing your application for membership form, the sponsors are vouching  that you will represent the Association in a professional and ethical manner.

Marks Release Date – Application forms (signed by two CGA-BC members) are due prior to the marks release date for each given session.  If you are waiting for a final mark, this will be checked after your application to graduate is submitted. 

Approval Date – After the application for membership forms have been submitted, the process of preparation for approval begins.  Potential graduates are approved to membership approximately four weeks after the marks release date.

Membership Status Date – Within one week of approval, you will receive notification to pay your dues.  All new graduates are sent a new graduate package, which includes a welcome to membership, acknowledgement of the CGA designation, official confirmation of public use of their CGA designation, and information about certificates of membership.

Convocation Ceremonies – The CGA-BC graduation ceremony happens once a  year in the Fall.  Session 4 graduates from the previous academic year and Session 1, 2 and 3 graduates from the current academic year are invited to attend the ceremonies.  Please note that Session 4 graduates will always attend the following year’s convocation ceremonies.

New Graduates Ethics Requirement
New graduates of the CGA Program are required to complete a full-day CGA-BC rules and standards seminar.  New graduates will have one full calendar year to complete this requirement. The day-long seminar is titled, the Essence of Professionalism:  Ethics, Rules and Standards for New CGAs, and is offered online or as an in-person lecture.  The seminar focuses on what ethical commitment means to professionals as they carry out their day-to-day work. For more information contact [ecombrinck#cga-bc,org]Elize Combrinck.