Apply to Graduate →
To have your degree or certificate reviewed for graduation, you MUST complete a graduation application. This application is also necessary to participate in the annual Commencement ceremony. Click the link above to apply!
Before applying to graduate, ensure that all course substitutions, transfer credits, and other relevant changes are reflected on your academic record.
- Initial Evaluation: After submitting your application, the Registrar's Office will conduct an initial evaluation to confirm that all graduation requirements are satisfied, pending, or incomplete. You will receive an update via your MassBay email.
- Final Review: Following the official conferral date, degree evaluations will be reviewed to ensure all requirements have been completed. This process may take 4-6 weeks due to high volume. You will receive notification via your MassBay email once your application has been reviewed.
Students can apply to graduate for December (Fall), May (Spring), or August (Summer) award dates. Note that the Commencement ceremony is held once per year in May.
Fall 2024 Graduation Application Deadline
Final Deadline to Submit Application: December 22, 2024
Spring 2025 Graduation Application Deadline
Final Deadline to Submit Application: May 18, 2025
Commencement Ceremony: May 29, 2025
Summer 2025 Graduation Application Deadline
Final Deadline to Submit Application: August 15, 2025
Commecement Vs. Graduation
Commencement is a celebration for students who have completed or are expected to complete all degree or certificate requirements by the end of the academic year. The ceremony is held annually in May
Graduation refers to the completion of all degree requirements. Students can officially graduate at the end of the Fall (December), Spring (May), or Summer (August) semesters, but only one Commencement ceremony occurs in May.
Important Notes:
- It is recommended to meet with your academic advisor during your last semester to ensure all graduation requirements are met.
- Participation in the Commencement ceremony does not guarantee the awarding of a degree at that time. A final degree audit by the Registrar's Office will confirm if a degree can be officially awarded after the ceremony.
For more information about the ceremony, including cap and gown details, visit the MassBay Commencement Webpage.
Graduation Requirements
To qualify for graduation, candidates for all degrees and certificates must fulfill both academic and non-academic requirements:
- Application for Graduation: Complete a Graduation Application online or at the Registrar’s Office.
- Program Requirements: Meet all program requirements, including required credit hours and GPA.
- Coursework at MassBay: At least 25% (one quarter) of the coursework must be completed at MassBay.
- Cumulative GPA: Maintain an overall cumulative GPA of 2.000 or higher.
- Program Specifications: Course requirements for graduation are detailed under your specific program of study.
Important Note: The College reserves the right to confer degrees and certificates once all requirements are met.
Application Deadline: Students must complete the graduation application by the specified deadline. Applications submitted after this deadline will be reviewed for the following semester.
Graduation Application Deadlines:
December Graduation: Last day of Day/Evening Final Exams for the Fall semester.
May Graduation: Last day of Day/Evening Final Exams for the Spring semester.
August Graduation: Last day of final exams for Summer Session III (6 Week 2) semester.
Questions?
Email graduationstatus@massbay.edu
Academic Calendar
Please refer to the Academic Calendar for important dates →
Frequently Asked Questions
When are students notified if they are graduating?
To have your program reviewed you must:
Apply for Graduation →
After submitting your application, the Registrar's Office will conduct an initial evaluation to confirm that all graduation requirements are satisfied, pending, or incomplete. You will receive an update via your MassBay email.
Following the official conferral date, degree evaluations will be reviewed to ensure all requirements have been completed. This process may take 4-6 weeks due to high volume. You will receive notification via your MassBay email once your application has been reviewed.
Applications submitted after the semester deadline will be reviewed for the following semester.
When is Commencement?
Students can apply for graduation for the following terms. However, a Commencement ceremony is held only once per year in May. Please refer to the Spring Academic Calendar for the specific Commencement date.
- Fall (December)
- Spring (May)
- Summer (August)
More information about the ceremony, including details on cap and gowns, will be available on the Commencement Webpage later in the spring semester
How do I apply to graduate?
Can I apply for more than one degree/certificate program?
Yes, you can apply for graduation from multiple programs, provided you are currently active in each program during the semester in which you are applying. You will need to submit separate applications for each program you wish to graduate from.
When should I apply for graduation?
Students enrolled in a certificate or degree program should apply for graduation in the semester they expect to complete all program requirements, or in the semester prior to their anticipated graduation.
December Graduation: Last day of Day/Evening Final Exams for the Fall semester.
May Graduation: Last day of Day/Evening Final Exams for the Spring semester.
August Graduation: Last day of final exams for Summer Session III (6 Week 2) semester.
How do I know if I am ready to graduate?
You can:
- Meet with your academic advisor for guidance.
- Visit the virtual advising center for assistance.
- Review your program requirements using MyMap on your Bay Navigator account.
Do I qualify to graduate with honors?
MassBay recognizes academic achievement by applying honors designations to diplomas and transcripts for students who have earned exemplary GPAs. For detailed information on the GPA requirements and honors designations, please refer to the MassBay guidelines.
Highest Honors: Associate degree candidates for graduation whose cumulative grade point average is 3.700 or above.
High Honors: Associate degree candidates for graduation whose cumulative grade point average is 3.500-3.699.
When do students officially graduate and receive their diploma?
MassBay graduates students three times per year:
Successfully completed all courses and requirements by the end of: |
|---|
| Summer (August) |
| Fall (December) |
| Spring (May) |
Degree awarded (i.e. on academic transcript) and diploma mailed: |
|---|
| Between October/November |
| Between March/April |
| Between July/August |
Diplomas will be mailed out once all applications have been reviewed and awarded. After the official graduation date, the Registrar’s Office will begin the final review of applications to check that all requirements have been completed. Due to high volume of applications, this process can take 4-6 weeks after the graduation date has passed.
Diplomas are mailed via USPS by our diploma vendor. More information regarding diplomas will be communicated in the email that is sent after the final review of your record has been completed.
I resolved my account hold, when can I expect to receive my diploma?
If you resolve your financial hold after diplomas have been ordered, you should contact registrar@massbay.edu for assistance. Since the Registrar’s Office does not receive automatic notifications of resolved holds, it is your responsibility to reach out for information about the release of your diploma.
Can I attend the Commencement ceremony if I am graduating in Summer (August)?
Students graduating in Summer (August) who have 2 courses or fewer to complete may attend the Commencement ceremony. To participate, you must:
- Enroll in your final requirement course(s) for the Summer.
- Submit a summer (August) graduation application by the last day of Day/Evening Final Exams for the Spring (May) semester.
The Registrar’s Office will review your record and notify you via your MassBay email once an initial review is complete.
For specific dates, please refer to the Academic Calendar