Commencement and Degree Completion/Graduation Policy

Hartwick College holds one commencement ceremony each May for the academic year. Students may participate in one commencement ceremony per degree completed. Students completing dual degrees or two degrees simultaneously are only eligible to participate in one ceremony.

It is important to note that participating in commencement does not confirm or guarantee degree completion. Diplomas are not distributed during the ceremony. Students who complete their degree requirements in the fall or January will receive their diplomas by mail prior to the ceremony. Degrees completed in May are certified and finalized after the ceremony, and diplomas are mailed within six weeks of certification. Students who do not complete all degree requirements after the May ceremony will be notified by the Registrar’s Office within 15 business days of the conclusion of the term. If these students fail to provide a degree completion plan within 90 days of notification, they will be withdrawn from Hartwick College and must apply for readmission to complete their degree.

Students who complete all degree requirements within an academic year are eligible to participate in that year’s commencement. To participate, students must submit an application for graduation to the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar’s Office reviews all applications, and students who are not eligible to participate will be notified in writing within 10 business days of submitting their application. Students who are approved to participate but do not successfully complete their degree requirements will be notified in writing within 15 business days of the conclusion of their final academic term.

Students with fewer than fifteen (15) credits remaining toward degree completion may request permission from the Registrar’s Office to participate in commencement. Requests must be submitted by April 1; late requests will not be considered. A degree completion plan must accompany the application. Approval of the plan and participation in the ceremony is at the discretion of the Registrar’s Office. Students who are not approved will be notified in writing within 10 business days. Approved students who fail to complete their degree requirements as outlined in their degree completion plan within 90 days of their final academic term will be withdrawn from Hartwick College and must reapply for readmission to complete their degree.