School of Professional Development

 

Graduation Information

Everyone has to apply for graduation to receive their degree or certificate. We've pulled together SPD-specific FAQs regarding graduation, degree clearance and trancripts. Ceremony information can be found on the SPD Commencement Convocation page.

 

Graduation FAQ

Students apply by logging into SOLAR and clicking through the following path: Records and Registration > Degree Progress/Graduation > Apply For Graduation. You must apply for graduation before the posted deadlines at the beginning of your last semester. 

You will receive a confirmation message within SOLAR upon successful submission of your application.  If you are applying after the posted deadline date, the link will no longer be available in SOLAR, so you must file a late application using the link below. (Please note that late filers risk not being included in the commencement publications.)

For late filers only (SPD will not accept this application while the SOLAR link is active):  Graduation Application Form 

Ed Leadership internships stretch over two terms: Spring (which ends in June) and Summer (which ends in December).  

Provided that you have completed all other degree requirements you should apply for graduation for the term in which you started the internship.

  • Spring - Summer: File for Spring graduation
  • Summer - Fall: File for Fall graduation

You must submit a separate graduation application for each of these program. 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.

All Combined BA/BS MAT candidates will need to submit the online Graduation Application Form .  This application will be applied for both the undergraduate and graduate portions of your program.  After SPD processes the MAT graduation application, the Registrar's Office will process your undergraduate graduation application.

If you apply for graduation and find out later in the semester that you will not meet the requirements (e.g., you drop or are missing a class you need to complete your program), you must submit a Change of Graduation Date form for a subsequent degree awarding period. Graduation applications are not carried over. 

Degrees will be posted to your transcript within 2-4 weeks after the semester end date provided that all of your grades are posted and you have met all of the degree requirements. 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. Also, although most online terms last for 10 weeks, the degrees cannot be awarded until the end of the full Spring, Summer or Fall semester.

You may order your transcript online through SOLAR. Go to Student Records & Registration > Academic Records> SU Official Transcript. If you have questions about ordering a transcript, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Diplomas are sent from the Registrar's Office to the address listed on SOLAR. Diplomas may take 4-6 weeks to be mailed to your home from the date of clearance from the School of Professional Development..Financial holds (such as from Student Accounts, Library or Parking Services) will prevent the release of your official transcript and diploma. You should make sure that all fees/fines are paid by the time you graduate.

 

Graduation Application Deadlines

Term/Semester SOLAR Application Deadline Notes
Spring 2026 and
Summer 2026		 5/8/2026*

*April 15, 2026 is the deadline to have your name appear in the Commencement Publication.

On or after 5/8/2026, students must use the Graduation Application for Late Filers as SOLAR graduation application is no longer available.
Fall 2026 & Winter 2027 Dates TBD The information will be published on the Academic Calendars page

 

Commencement Information

Two opportunities to celebrate your achievement!

Stony Brook University Commencement

Friday, May 22, 2026 at 11 am
Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium

This is the big ceremony for all graduates – undergrads and grads. More speeches, more pomp and circumstance, but individuals are not called by name. Tickets are limited. 

University commencement details

School of Professional Development Convocation

Monday, May 18, 2026 at 5 pm
Stony Brook Arena

This is a smaller ceremony just for SPD graduates. All candidates will walk across the stage and have their names read aloud. There is room for more guests. 

SPD commencement details

 

Contact Information 

School of Professional Development
Graduation and Certification
S113 Social and Behavioral Sciences
Stony Brook, NY 11794-4310

Telephone: 631-632-7055
Fax: 631-632-2725
Email: spd_graduationandcertification@stonybrook.edu