Eligibility to Graduate

Eligibility for May 2012

The following students are eligible to participate in the Spring Commencement exercises.
Submission of a degree application will initiate future correspondence to your UAlbany e-mail account.

August & December 2011 Degree Recipients
All students awarded degrees in August or December of 2011 at the Bachelors, Masters, or Doctoral level may participate in their respective main ceremony. Outside of the initial correspondence that you receive, you must monitor the commencement web site for all updates. Names of August and/or December degree recipients are not included in the official spring program. There are no additional forms that you need to complete to participate in the University-Wide Ceremonies. You must however contact your department for permission, should you wish to participate in their Individual Recognition Event.

Bachelor's & Master's Degree Candidates for May 2012
All candidates who’ve submitted a degree application, online, through MyUAlbany for May 2012. The academic records of undergraduate students who have applied for graduation will be reviewed by the Office of the Registrar. Those candidates whose cumulative records and current courses do not meet all of the degree requirements for May will be notified via e-mail so that the deficiencies can be corrected no later than TBD. Those who do meet the requirements for the degree will not receive notification. Master’s and Certificate Candidates, please check with your program department to ensure that you will satisfy all requirements for May.


Bachelor's & Master's Degree Candidates for Summer 2012 
Students at the bachelors or master's degree level who are a few credits short of completing their degree requirements, but who plan to over the summer may participate in their respective University-Wide ceremony. They must however contact their school/department for permission to participate in an Individual Recognition Event. These students WILL NOT have access to the Commencement Registration form but simply must monitor the web for information regarding the weekend. These students WILL NOT be included in the official commencement program, only degree candidates for the current term are included. They will however be included in the official program produced for the Winter Ceremony (they may obtain a copy by contacting the Office of the Registrar). Finally, students who will complete their degree requirements over the summer months must submit their degree application beginning June 1.


Doctoral Degree Candidates for May 2012
The University requires that ALL Requirements for the degree, including submittal of the approved dissertation, and completion of any internship be finalized before participating in commencement exercises. The specific requirements for Ph.D. program completion, degree award and participation in commencement are reviewed during the scheduling of defense of the student’s dissertation. Doctoral Dissertations are due by May 1. Doctoral candidates must notify the Office of Graduate Studies of their intent to participate in the ceremony by contacting Joanne Baronner at Jbaronner@albany.edu by April 16. All degree candidates for May 2012 must file a degree application by the stated deadlines. The University cannot guarantee that your name will be listed in the program if you fail to meet the deadlines as stated. Only students who have completed a degree application for May 2012 and subsequently complete a "Commencement Registration form" will receive electronic updates regarding commencement.

Degree Application Deadlines
Undergraduates: February 17
Graduate: March 30

Degrees are awarded after final clearance, pending the satisfactory completion of the final term of study and/or fulfillment of all academic requirements. Candidates who fulfill all requirements for the degree can expect to receive their diplomas through the mail 6 to 8 weeks following the end of the term. Candidates who have failed to complete all academic requirements by May, or who have other matters requiring resolution will be notified in June. Undergraduates who have any unresolved grades (ex: incomplete) will not be cleared for the degree. If you have a concern about your degree clearance, contact your academic advisor or the Office of the Registrar.