What is the difference between “commencement” and “graduation?”
It is important to know the difference between commencement and graduation. Commencement is the formal ceremony that takes place in May and December. These ceremonies are a celebration of your accomplishments and students who walk during commencement will each receive a diploma cover. Graduation is the term used when a student is awarded their degree. Students are awarded their degrees when they have met all the necessary graduation requirements. Participation in commencement does not necessarily constitute graduation.
When I apply for graduation, why is there only one date to choose from?
The graduation date is the date shown on your diploma and transcripts. This date is the same for all students graduating at the conclusion of a particular semester. Graduation dates for most students will be in May and December. Students graduating in either the winter or summer will have different dates. Please be aware that your graduation date may not be the same date as the commencement ceremony that you attend. At commencement you will receive your diploma cover from the President. Your diploma will be mailed to you after your graduation is verified.
How are Latin honors determined for graduation?
An undergraduate student is eligible for Latin honors by earning a minimum of 45 credits at SRU and an overall GPA as follows:
Cum Laude 3.500 – 3.599
Magna Cum Laude 3.600 – 3.799
Summa Cum Laude 3.800 – 4.000
Recognition of Latin honors at commencement will be based on the student’s cumulative Slippery Rock University GPA at the end of the semester preceding graduation. For December graduates, the cumulative GPA at the end of the summer term will be used to determine Latin honors since final grades for the fall term are not due until after the December commencement ceremony. For spring/summer graduates, the cumulative GPA at the end of the winter term will be used to determine Latin honors for the May ceremony since final grades for spring term are not due until after the May commencement ceremony.
Latin honors will be designated on the student’s official diploma and final transcript based on the final cumulative GPA. The final honors’ designation may change from that noted at commencement based on the grades earned in the last term.
When will my degree be awarded?
Your degree will appear on your official transcript, which is proof of degree completion, once a final review is completed following the posting and processing of final grades at the end of the semester. With the volume of final reviews required to approve degrees, this may take a few weeks.
If you need a transcript or graduation verification confirming your degree, please complete the appropriate form. If requesting a transcript, you may submit your transcript request prior to the end of the term and check the box to have your transcript mailed after degree is confirmed. A hold on your University account will prevent your transcript being mailed until the issue has been resolved.
When will I receive my diploma?
Digital diplomas will be emailed to your SRU email by Parchment 2 to 3 weeks after your degree is awarded, and the hard copy will be mailed six to eight weeks after your degree is awarded. A hold on your University account will prevent you diploma from being mailed until the issues is resolved and you notify Academic Records.
When should I apply to graduate?
Since graduation is not automatic, all SRU students (undergraduate, graduate and degree-seeking post-baccalaureate) must apply to graduate. Students should apply to graduate at least one term prior to their anticipated graduation date.
Please note, students are solely responsible for ensuring they will meet SRU’s graduation requirements as well as those for their respective programs. Be sure to continually monitor “My Rock Audit” and meet with your adviser.
Students must apply to graduate by the established deadline for a given term in order to have their name appear in the commencement program.
Will I receive confirmation that my application was submitted?
Yes, you will receive an automated confirmation as soon as you have submitted the application. This confirmation email is only to let you know that your graduation application has been submitted. This email is not confirmation that you will graduate.
Is there a way to check my graduation application?
Yes, you may view your application for graduation any time at MySRU > Academics tab > Graduation channel > Confirm Application to Graduate.
What if I miss the online deadline to apply to graduate?
If you missed the established deadline for the online graduation application for a given term, you must complete a paper graduation application, which can be found on the Academic Records Forms page. The paper graduation application needs to be completed and can be scanned and emailed to academic.records@sru.edu. If you missed the online graduation application deadline, we are unable to guarantee your name will appear in the commencement program or guest tickets will be available. You will still be eligible to walk in the graduation ceremony.
How do I change my graduation date if I have already applied to graduate?
Contact the Academic Records and Registration office at 724.738.2010 or academic.records@sru.edu.
How long will I have access to my SRU email account after I graduate?
A graduating student’s MySRU account and SRU email account will expire 90 days after graduation. This 90-day grace period is extended as a courtesy to assist with post-academic activities such as job searches, etc. We strongly recommend that students make every effort, as soon as it is convenient, to migrate email or data files associated with their SRU email account to a non-SRU email personal account and storage space.
We encourage students to consider setting up an automatic reply on their email address before or shortly after graduation to let people know they have graduated and provide updated contact information.
How do I update my contact information in my portal?
1. Log into your MySRU> MyProfile tab> Personal Information link.
2. Make sure your permanent home address is up-to-date as well as your personal/cell phone number.
3. Remember to update your email address with a non-SRU email as your access to MySRU and SRU email address will terminate 90 days after graduation. Unfortunately, when you make a change to your address in your MySRU after you have submitted a graduation application, your diploma mailing address will not update. If you have moved or plan to move since applying for graduation, please contact Academic Records at 724.738.2010 or academic.records@sru.edu to provide the office with your new diploma mailing address.
What if I have a hold on my account with the University?
A hold (past due tuition balance, unpaid parking tickets, unpaid library fines, etc.) with the University will not keep you from graduating, however, the hold will keep you from receiving any official documentation from SRU. This would include your official transcripts and diploma. To resolve any outstanding issues, please contact the respective office to discuss.
How can I check to be sure that I will be graduating?
Review your “My Rock Audit” to ensure that all requirements have been met or are being met with courses currently in-progress. Students should also consult with their adviser to be sure their degree audit indicates all requirements have been/will be met and resolve any missing requirements or potential problems as soon as possible.
Undergraduate students: Any unmet requirements showing on the degree audit will need to be resolved before your degree can be awarded.
Graduate students: Any unmet requirements showing on the degree audit will need to be resolved before your degree can be awarded. If your degree audit shows that the unmet requirement(s) is some type of non-course requirement (ex., comprehensive exam), please see your graduate program coordinator. Some departments choose to make the final approval of the completion of the graduate program and these non-course requirements can only be checked off after successful completion of the item at the end of the term.
I have submitted my application for graduation but I need to submit substitutions from my adviser for missing requirements. What should I do?
If a substitution/waiver form is to be submitted on your behalf, your adviser and department will submit the appropriate paperwork which will then go through your dean’s office. Once the dean’s office has approved the substitution/waiver form, the paperwork will be forwarded to the Academic Records and Registration office for processing.
How many credits do I need to graduate?
All undergraduate students need at least 120 overall credits to be eligible to graduate. In addition, students should review their “My Rock Audit” to ensure all other degree requirements have been or are being met with in-progress classes.
I received notification that I have not completed all my requirements for graduation. What should I do?
You will need to review your “My Rock Audit” which identifies the specific remaining requirements to be met and contact your adviser with any questions regarding how to best complete them. If you need to change your graduation date in order to complete coursework, call the Office of Academic Records and Registration at 724.738.2010 or email academic.records@sru.edu to request your graduation date be moved to the term in which all of your degree requirements will be met.
