Preparing To Graduate

As you look ahead to that very important day, you will want to keep the following information in mind. If you have any questions that have not been touched upon, please free to email Shirley Alexander-Hunt at salexand@suffolk.edu.

Suffolk University confers degrees three times during the year: January, May, and September. If you expect to complete all the requirements for graduation in between these time periods, you may apply for the nearest future date. In order to graduate, you must apply for graduation, complete all academic requirements, and satisfy any outstanding financial obligations with the University.

All students must complete an application for degree prior to receiving their degree. You may do so online by accessing your SAIL Students account through Campus Cruiser and clicking on the Application for Degree option under the Graduation menu.  There is no fee associated with applying for graduation.

If you expect to complete your degree requirements by December 19, 2007, you must complete an application for degree by October 1, 2007 for a degree that will be awarded in January 2008.

If you expect to complete all your requirements by May 7, 2008, you must complete an application for degree by February 1, 2008 for a degree that will be awarded in May 2008.

If you expect to complete your degree requirements by August 27, 2008, you must complete an application for degree by July 1, 2008 for a degree that will be awarded in September 2008.

The application for degree lets us know when you are ready to graduate. After the deadline to apply has passed for a particular date, the Registrar’s office will conduct an audit of your academic record to verify your requirements are complete and send you the results via email. If you have any discrepancies, you will have a certain period of time to rectify them. Check your Suffolk email regularly for additional graduation information.

Petitioning to Attend Commencement

If you are within nine credits of completing your degree and have satisfied all other graduation requirements, including the GPA requirement, you must apply for graduation by February 1. If you need to take additional courses during the summer, you must be enrolled in the summer courses no later than May 1. Your approved petition is contingent upon the above requirements being satisfied. All coursework must be completed before the end of August for a September degree conferral.

Your Diploma

We also need the Application for Degree form to record how you would like your name to appear on your diploma. Please note that you cannot request a name we do not have on file for you. For example, if you were recently married, you must provide us with documentation. Credentials and titles are not listed on your diploma.

Diplomas for all students completing their degree requirements in May are distributed immediately following the Commencement ceremony. If you are completing your degree requirements for January or September, your diploma will be mailed to you shortly after your degree has been officially conferred.