Graduation Policies

Students are responsible for ensuring that all requirements for their degree program are completed prior to graduation. Degrees are awarded three times each year (August, January, and May), with official graduation dates published in the Academic Calendar. Students intending to graduate should apply for graduation no more than three semesters prior to their anticipated graduation term.

To be eligible for degree conferral, students must:

• Successfully complete all degree, major, concentration, minor, and program requirements as prescribed by the applicable catalog.
• Earn the minimum cumulative and/or program GPA required for the degree.
• Resolve any incomplete grades or other outstanding academic requirements.
• Submit the "Apply to Graduate" form through Self-Service IU (SSIU) prior to the graduation application deadline published on the Academic Calendar.
• Satisfy all financial obligations to the University.

Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor regarding degree requirements and the graduation application process. Submission of an application for graduation does not guarantee degree conferral. The University will conduct a final review of each student's academic record to verify completion of all degree requirements and confirm that all financial obligations to the University have been satisfied. Students who have not met all academic requirements or who have outstanding financial obligations will not be eligible to have their degree awarded or participate in commencement activities until those requirements and obligations have been satisfied.

Graduate Students

A candidate is expected to complete degree requirements within a maximum of six years for master’s programs and eight years for doctoral programs. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for master’s degree completion and 3.3 for doctoral degree completion.

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. Students are asked to confirm participation in commencement ceremonies as part of the graduation application. 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 no more than two remaining courses (maximum of 8 credits) needed to complete their degree requirements 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.

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.