|
Graduation Information
You have not finished your program until you apply for graduation! The chart below provides a quick overview of dates and deadlines that you need to know. The FAQ's that follow provide more detailed information.
| Graduation Term |
Spring |
Summer |
Fall |
Winter |
| You should apply for the following term if... |
the start date of your last class(es) of the program is during the Spring term.
*EDL and SDBL students see note below. |
the start date of your last class(es) of the program is during the Summer term. *EDL and SDBL students see note below. |
the start date of your last class(es) of the program is during the Fall term. *EDL and SDBL students see note below. |
the start date of your last class(es) of the program is during the Winter term. *EDL and SDBL students see note below. |
| Deadline to have your name listed in the Commencement booklet |
March 15 |
March 15 for May commencement booklet
October 1 for December commencement booklet |
October 1 |
March 15 |
| Last day to apply online |
April 15 |
August 15 |
November 15 |
January 15 |
| University commencement ceremony that you may attend (optional) |
May |
May or December |
December |
May |
*Exception: Educational Leadership and School District Business Leadership students beginning their summer/fall internship must file for Fall graduation.
Graduation FAQ's
When am I graduating?
Your graduation date is determined by the start date of the last class(es) of your program. For example, if you started a class in March and finish that same class in July and you are not registering for future classes for that program, you must apply for Spring Graduation.
If you are registered for two programs simultaneously (e.g, Advanced Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management and the Master of Professional Studies in Human Resource Management), you must submit a separate graduation application for each of these programs. If you are finished with the AGC requirements first, you may apply for graduation from the AGC without having to wait until you have finished your Master’s degree.
When should I apply?
Students may begin applying one week before the start of the semester they are graduating until the deadline date referenced above. Students are encouraged to file for graduation early.
How do I apply?
Students should log onto SOLAR and click the Records and Registration Link. From there click the Degree Progress/Graduation Link and finally, click the Apply for graduation link. If the semester for which you wish to graduate is not represented as a choice, you are applying either too early or too late. If you are applying too early please see the "When Should I Apply" FAQ above. If you are applying too late (anytime after deadline dates listed above), you must contact SPD directly for a paper graduation application.
Commencement Ceremonies and Regalia
Stony Brook University offers commencement ceremonies in December and May. These ceremonies represent all graduates from the University and tickets for the event may be obtained through SOLAR. If you are graduating in the Summer or Fall you may attend the December ceremony; if you are graduating in the Winter, Spring or Summer you may attend the May ceremony. Information about Commencement and the appropriate regalia is available on the Office of Conferences and Special Events website (click on the Commencement link on the left).
In May, SPD will host a more intimate, evening commencement ceremony strictly for SPD students. This ceremony will not conflict with the University commencement. The ceremony will appear in the SPD Academic Calendar and more detailed information about this ceremony will be emailed to you at the address you have on file in SOLAR.
When will my degree show on my transcript?
Only after all of your grades are received, will your academic program will be subject to departmental and university review. Degrees will be posted to your transcript within 4-6 weeks after the semester end date. Auditing your degree program is a process that takes time and no degree will be rushed or awarded on demand. If you are subject to deadlines (e.g., teachers who need proof of degree completion for certification purposes), we encourage you to allow yourself enough time for this process to take place.
How do I order my transcript?
You may order your transcript online through SOLAR. Go to Student Records & Registration > Academic Records> SU Official Transcript. If you would like your transcript to be mailed only after your degree is posted, you may order transcript in advance and select the option 'Degree Confer Date'. Once your degree is posted to your transcript, it will be mailed to the address you have indicated.
When will I receive my diploma?
Diplomas are sent from the Registrar's Office to the address listed on SOLAR. Diplomas may take 8-12 weeks to be mailed to your home.
Statement of Student Responsibility
Students themselves—whether new, returning, or continuing—are responsible for reviewing, understanding, and adhering to their degree and/or certificate program requirements. (SPD’s Non-matriculating (non-degree) Graduate Students [GSP] are responsible for adhering to the guidelines related to non-matriculated status.) All SPD students are responsible for reviewing, understanding, and complying with University and SPD regulations, policies, and procedures, as described in all official publications, the University website, and the SPD website, including, but not limited to, SPD’s online references, the SPD Student Handbook and SPD Academic Calendar.
Back to top |