Graduation Policies
Students must complete all academic requirements and clear all financial obligations with the University to be eligible to receive their diploma (graduate) and to participate in commencement activities. Students may earn degrees three times during the year (August, January or May); official graduation dates are listed in the academic calendar. The deadline to apply to graduate is posted via the Dome Digest.
No more than three semesters before intended graduation date, students are directed to indicate intent to graduate through SSIU, by completing the “Apply to Graduate” form in the Student Records section. Students may seek guidance on this process from their advisors or the Registrar.
Commencement
Immaculata University holds its annual Commencement Ceremony at the end of each spring semester. Students approved to graduate are strongly encouraged to participate in commencement for the conferring of the degree. All August, January and May graduates are invited to participate in the commencement exercises and are listed in the Commencement Ceremony booklet. See additional information about commencement.
COMMENCEMENT PARTICIPATION/WALKING POLICY
Students who do not meet graduation requirements in time for the May ceremony may still be allowed to “walk”/participate in commencement provided they meet the following criteria:
- Undergraduate students must have six (6) or fewer semester hours to complete and have a minimum 2.0* cumulative grade point average. *(Students in majors requiring higher grade point averages must meet minimum requirements of the program.)
- Graduate students must have six (6) or fewer semester hours to complete and a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average at the Master’s level or 3.3 at the Doctoral level. Doctoral students must have successfully defended their dissertation.
- Complete a Petition to Participate in Commencement Ceremonies, which must outline student’s plan to complete all degree requirements. Students must email registrarhelp@immaculata.edu by the dates indicated on Dome Digest to request a link to the form*.
*(This is not an application to graduate)
Students may not participate in commencement if they have any outstanding balances. Names of both walkers and graduates will be printed in the commencement program, and there will be no asterisk or special notation in the program differentiating walkers from actual graduates of the University. “Walkers” do not receive public or printed recognition of honors (cum laude, etc.) in the commencement program.
Students will need to apply to graduate for the term in which they complete all requirements. All graduation requirements and financial obligations must be satisfied to receive the diploma, and have the degree conferred and officially awarded. A student may participate in only one commencement ceremony.
If, after declaring an intention to walk, a student does not participate in the ceremony and fails to notify the Office of the University Registrar at least four days prior to the commencement date, that student is ineligible to participate in any subsequent commencement ceremony.