Graduation/Degree Conferral

Required Steps to Receive a Diploma from Saint Peter’s University

1. Submit Graduation Application: Must be submitted on Self-Service before the published deadline.
   Note: There is no charge to submit the application itself.
2. Pay Graduation Fee: A one-time, non-refundable fee per degree awarded.

Graduation Fee Details

Application Deadlines (Based on Degree Conferral Date)

Important note: Timely application submission is critical because the university needs adequate time to review your academic record. If your application is delayed, it can result in your degree not being conferred on time, and you may forfeit your participation in the symbolic Commencement ceremony.

Degree Conferral vs. Commencement vs. Graduation: Understanding the Difference

These are frequently confused terms that are related but have distinct meanings:

Degree Conferral is the legal achievement, while Commencement is the celebratory event.

How to Check Your Degree Conferral Status

• Review your Progress on Self Service to see if there are any requirements in red (which means that they are not fulfilled). This means that you still need to complete that requirement or have a substitution processed. If there are requirements in red that you are unsure of, please discuss this with your academic advisor.
• Keep an eye out for an email with subject: Official Degree Conferral Status.

Requirements for Degrees

Undergraduate Degrees

• Complete all core, major, minor, distributive and free electives requirements.
• All major/minor substitutions must be approved by the Dean and/or your Advisor/Chair.
• All incomplete grades must have a valid grade submitted (no IC grades).
• Must have completed at least 120 credits to earn a Baccalaureate degree and at least 60 credits for an Associate degree.
• Must have at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
• Must have satisfied the GPA in the major and the GPA in the minor requirement.
• All transfer work must be approved by the Dean and submitted to Office of the University Registrar.
• All CLEP exam paperwork must be approved by Dean/Chair of Dept. and submitted to the Office of the University Registrar.
• Graduation Honors – On your name card, it states the honors announcement that will be called during the Commencement Ceremony. This is based on your current GPA which does not include spring courses that are in progress.
• After Commencement your GPA will be reviewed again and if you qualify then honors will be notated on your academic transcript.

Graduate/Doctoral Degrees

• Complete all degree program requirements.
• Graduate Education Alternate Route Credits must be received and processed by the Office of the University Registrar.
• Doctoral Dissertation must be successfully defended and approved by the Program Director.
• All incomplete grades must have a valid grade submitted (no IC grades).
• All transfer work must be approved by the Program Director/Dean and submitted to the Office of the University Registrar.
• Graduate students must have at least a 3.0 overall GPA.

When Will I Receive My Diploma?

• You will receive an electronic and physical diploma approximately 8 weeks after degree conferral. We have to review the entire graduating class for eligibility and then the degrees will be ordered.
• Ensure your mailing address is correct on your graduation application. Please note that address corrections must be submitted 15 days prior to the certification date.
• Resolve any outstanding fees/library fines, as these can delay diploma release.

Diploma Name

If the name indicated on your application does not match our records then you are required to submit two forms of legal documentation to the Enrollment Services Center to officially update your name on file. If you fail to submit appropriate documentation the name on your diploma will be your name on file.

Academic Majors, Minors and Concentrations

Diplomas list the degree of study only (i.e. Bachelor of Science, Master of Business Administration, Master of Nursing, Doctor of Education). Majors, Minors, Concentrations, and Latin Honors are listed on the academic transcript which should be used to verify your degree or program of study. For students that are double majors seeking a major in both a BA and BS degree program, the degree on your diploma will be based on the first major or degree program that is listed on your record. The second major is listed under the degree program so only the degree associated with the first major will be listed.

Requirements Complete Mid-Term

If your requirements are completed in the middle of a term, your degree will be conferred on the next conferral date. For example, if you complete all your requirements in the month of March, then the next certification date will be in May. Your diploma and transcript will both list the May conferral date (but your requirements were completed in March). If your requirements are complete in October, your next certification date will be November.

Commencement Ceremony Participation

The University has one commencement ceremony in May and five certification dates: February, May, August, November and December.

Who Can Participate in Commencement?

1. Degree Candidates for August, November and December of last year and February of the current year (Completed Requirements):
        a) Students who have fully met all academic requirements by the semester’s degree conferral date (end of finals, after grades are processed).
   b) Their degree has been officially conferred, and they have received their diploma.
2. Pending Completion of Spring or Summer Courses (Participating)
        a) Students with no more than 6 remaining credits and are enrolled in the remaining credits needed in the Summer may participate in commencement.
3. Former Alumni who wish to participate
        a) Participation is limited to one academic year after your conferral date.

Effective Fall 2016, students who need no more than 6 credits remaining to complete degree requirements may participate in the Commencement exercises provided they have pre-registered for the remaining coursework that are still outstanding for degree completion. Exceptions to the credit requirement will be permitted for students in the School of Education who need to complete student teaching in the Fall term. Participation in the Commencement exercises is ceremonial and does not constitute degree conferral. Students may only participate in one Commencement exercise.

Review the Commencement Deferral Policy

Commencement Awards

To qualify for Commencement Awards, all program requirements must be successfully completed last December, this February May or August. Candidates that apply for the upcoming December and request participation in early Commencement are not eligible for awards. Read further information, including Commencement ceremony details.

Academic Regalia (Cap and Gown)

The University has partnered with KeyPlus as the official regalia vendor. As recognition of your hard work and dedication, undergraduate and master’s students are invited to order regalia at no cost.

Students are responsible for the shipping and handling fee of $17.95.

Doctoral students are required to purchase their regalia, with prices varying by selection. Doctoral candidates must also successfully defend their dissertation by late March to be eligible for May degree conferral.

To avoid unexpected charges, please store your regalia securely. If your cap, gown, or hood is lost, the following fees will apply:

• Replacement Cost: The full cost of the lost regalia will be charged to your student account through the Student Accounts Office. SPU does not cover replacement costs.
• Shipping Fee: A second shipping fee of $17.95 will apply for replacement orders.

Regalia Pricing

*If you lose your regalia, the replacement fee plus an additional $17.95 shipping charge will apply.

If you encounter any issues with ordering your regalia, have questions regarding payment processing, shipment, delivery, or the status of your order, please contact KeyPlus directly at 866-450-7587. They will assist you with any concerns related to your regalia order.

Commencement Checklist

1. Apply for Graduation: All students must submit a graduation application on Self Service prior to the deadline (usually the term prior to their final term).
2. Academic Review: In collaboration with the Dean and the Department Chair, the Registrar’s Office verifies eligibility for degree conferral.
3. Order Your Cap & Gown: Eligible students receive instructions for ordering regalia.
4. RSVP for Commencement
5. Collect your Tickets for Commencement

Former Students who need to apply for graduation but have not attended for more than one year must contact the Registrar’s Office. We’ll advise if you need to be reinstated or will assist in reactivating your Self Service account if no additional courses are needed.

Questions? Need Help?

Contact the Registrar’s Office: (201) 761-6050 | registrar@saintpeters.edu or your Academic Advisor (for program-specific requirements).