Graduation Requirements & Diplomas


Graduation Requirements and Deadlines

In order to graduate students must satisfy all academic requirements AND resolve all outstanding university obligations including any outstanding fees and all holds that prevent graduation by the deadlines below.  Academic requirements include majors, minors, second majors, college and university requirements as well as Latin honors and certificates. CLEP exams must be taken before the first day of the subsequent semester and submitted before the clearance deadline.

Regulatory compliance requires the University report graduates no later than the following dates:

January graduation: March 15
February graduation: March 15th
May graduation: July 9th
September graduation: October 15th

If your academic graduation clearance and outstanding obligations are not completed by these dates you will be graduated from the University in the following graduation period.  To check to see if your graduation has been posted on your transcript you can log into SPIRE and check the unofficial transcript to see if the degree notation is there.

If you have questions or concerns, please meet with Diploma & Graduation Services staff as soon as possible.

Graduation Checklist

___ University requirements - Check transcript and Academic Requirement Report in SPIRE to confirm credit total, residence credits, General Education requirements, over all cumulative GPA above 2.0   Note: in progress and ungraded courses are not factored in credit total - if you have questions contact Diploma & Graduation Services.
___ Major requirements – Contact your major to confirm.
___ College/School requirements (if applicable) – contact college/school to confirm.
___ Check SPIRE for holds - Note: even after you have left campus, holds can be added to your record that will prevent graduation.  Check SPIRE for holds periodically until you 1) receive your diploma, or 2) see on your unofficial transcript that your degree has been awarded.
___ Update Diploma Address, Diploma Email, and Diploma Name via your Student Service Center in SPIRE.
___ Commonwealth College Honors requirements (if applicable) – contact Commonwealth Honors College to confirm.
___ Additional Major(s) requirements (if applicable) – Contact major to confirm.
___ Minor(s) requirements (if applicable) – Contact minor to confirm.
___ Dual degree(s) requirements (if applicable; note Dual degrees require 150 credits) – Contact major to confirm
 

    Receiving Diploma

    The Registrar's Office staff have 6 weeks from the official graduation date to clear all students for graduation. After the 6 week deadline, diplomas will begin to be mailed. A general guideline for this mailing is:

    If your graduation date is:

    • January or February, your diploma will be mailed no later than April.
    • May, your diploma will be mailed no later than August.
    • September, your diploma will be mailed no later than November.

    Name on Diploma

    Diplomas are printed using the diploma name listed in SPIRE. You can view and update your diploma name in your SPIRE Student Center Graduation information. For help with updating your diploma name, visit View/Update Your Graduation Data. If you no longer have access to SPIRE, send a written letter which includes your name, student id or social security number, date of graduation, the name you want printed on your diploma,and your signature to the address listed below. We will not change the name on your diploma without written authorization from you.

    Mailing Address Diploma is Sent To

    Diplomas are mailed to the diploma address we have listed for you. You can view and update this address in your SPIRE Student Center Graduation information. For help with updating your diploma address, visit View/Update Your Graduation Data. If you no longer have access to SPIRE, send a written letter which includes your name, student id or social security number, date of graduation, the address where you would like your diploma mailed, and your signature to the address listed below. We will not send your diploma to an address other than your diploma address without written authorization from you.

    Other Questions about Diploma

    Email Diploma and Graduation Services or Call (413) 545-0555 and press option 4 for inquiries, Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

    Or send in a letter with your full name, student id or social security number, date of birth and date of graduation to address above.