Beginning in Fall 2019 graduate students are eligible to have degrees conferred, and to receive their diploma, on three different dates over the course of the academic year:
- October (for students who complete their terminal* degree requirements the preceding summer term)
- February (for students who complete their terminal* requirements the preceding fall term)
- May (at Commencement, for students who complete their requirements over the preceding spring term)
*The October and February Conferral dates were created to satisfy the need for terminal graduate degree candidates to obtain their degree/diploma in advance of the traditional May Commencement Ceremony. Doctoral students picking up a transitional master's degree en route to the PhD must wait until the May degree conferral.
- There is no ceremonial commencement in October or February. Students whose degrees are conferred at those times are listed in the May Commencement Bulletin, and noted as prior-term completers.
- October and February degree recipients are welcome to participate in the subsequent May Commencement. However, PhD and MD candidates who choose this option must bring their diploma covers with them, as the Office of the Registrar cannot provide additional covers (masters students do not receive actual covers at the May ceremony).
- The Graduate School will reach out to PhD candidates during the spring semester, to the email address recorded on the Application to Graduate, with instructions for registering to attend and participate in the May doctoral ceremony.
- The School for Professional Studies will reach out to all masters candidates during the spring semester, to the email address recorded on the Application to Graduate, with instructions for registering to attend and participate in the May masters ceremony.