Applying for Graduation

All students must submit an application for degree through the Graduation menu on MySuffolk.

Why Must Students Apply?

The application for degree notifies the University students are completing their degree requirements and preparing for graduation. An academic audit is conducted and students are notified of their degree eligibility status at their Suffolk University email account. Any outstanding requirements may prohibit a student's eligibility to graduate. Students are expected to check their Suffolk email account regularly for updates regarding their degree status and graduation.

Application Deadlines

Suffolk University confers degrees three times per year: January, May, and September. Students who expect to complete all the requirements for graduation apply for the nearest future conferral date.

Graduation Ceremony

There is one graduation ceremony per year in May. Specific dates, location, and ticket information for the ceremony are announced in early Spring. All students who complete their degree requirements in January, September, or May of that year are invited to attend the May ceremony.

Petitioning to Attend Commencement

Students within three courses of completing their degree requirements and have satisfied all other degree requirements for graduation, including minimum GPA, must apply for graduation by February 1. September degree candidates petitioning to participate in the May commencement ceremony must be enrolled by May 1 for outstanding courses in the subsequent Summer session at Suffolk University. Approval of the petition is contingent upon the above requirements being satisfied. All coursework must be complete before the end of August for a September degree conferral.

Diplomas

The student name on a diploma will appear as requested on the degree application. Students cannot request a diploma name not on file with the University. For example, recently married students must provide documentation. Credentials and titles are not listed on the diploma.

Diplomas for students completing their degree requirements in May are distributed immediately following the Commencement ceremony. Diplomas are mailed shortly after the September and January conferral dates to the address on file.

Students who have an outstanding balance at the time of graduation will not have their diplomas released to them. Please contact the Bursar's Office for information regarding tuition accounts.