Graduation

Eligibility

Students with the following Expected Graduation Term in COIN will be eligible to apply for graduation based on the following:

How to apply

Step 1: Verify your expected graduation term in COIN

Log into your COIN Student Center > My Advising Center > Academic Summary and select the appropriate program to confirm your Expected Graduation semester is correct. If incorrect, send email to graduation@umassd.edu with your name, student ID, and expected graduation term so that we can update it accordingly in COIN.

Step 2: Review your academic requirements

If you have not already done so, meet with your advisor to review your Advisement Report and/or transcript in COIN to ensure that you are on target to meet all major, option/concentration, minor, program of study, track, and certificate requirements including all university, residency and grade point average requirements for your college or school.

Step 3: Apply for graduation in COIN

Log into your COIN Student Center using MOBILE VIEW:

• Select My Academics > Graduation > Apply for Graduation.
• Select Apply for Graduation, then select UMDAR Graduation Survey.
• Upon completion of the UMDAR Graduation Survey, select Apply for Graduation.
• If the expected graduation term is incorrect but you will be completing your program requirements by Summer 2023, you may select from the dropdown to update your semester/year accordingly.  Note:  if you will be completing your requirements in Fall 2023 or later, email graduation@umassd.edu with your name, student ID, and expected graduation semester/year so we can update your expected graduation term accordingly.   
• If expected graduation term is correct, select Continue.
• Select Submit Application.
• Return to My Academics > Graduation >View My Graduation Status.  Review all information for accuracy.  Diploma/Certificate Name and Diploma/Certificate Address can be added or edited as necessary.

If you experience any issues with applying or do not plan to graduate in 2023, please email your name and student ID to graduation@umassd.edu

After you apply

You may view your application status at My Academics > Graduation >View My Graduation Status.  Your status will change as your application is processed:

Process

The Registrar’s Office forwards applicant names to the appropriate academic department for careful review and certification that all requirements have been met.

Undergraduate students

Once all final grades have been posted, the department will review your degree requirements and send your degree certification to the Registrar’s Office for posting of your degree on your transcript. If the review determines you have not met your requirements, you will be notified by your academic department.

Graduate students

Once all final grades have been posted, the department will review your degree requirements and send your degree certification to the Registrar’s Office. The paperwork will be sent to the Graduate Studies Office for review. When all relevant authorizations have been issued, the Registrar’s Office will post the degree on your transcript. If the review determines you have not met your equirements, you will be notified by your department.

Diploma

Diplomas are ordered after your degree is awarded and posted on your transcript.  Please allow 6-8 weeks for processing and delivery.  Diplomas are not handed out at Commencement.

Important note

Diplomas will not be released if your degree has not been certified and posted to your transcript. You should check your graduation status and transcript through COIN to verify your degree has been awarded. In addition, all financial holds must be resolved before a diploma and/or official transcript can be released by the University.

Summer graduates

If you will not complete your degree requirements by the spring semester but wish to participate in the May Commencement Ceremony, you must meet the following conditions:

• Undergraduate students needing additional credits during the summer may participate in commencement with the approval of their department chairperson and dean of their college if they provide a feasible plan to complete their requirements by August 31st of that academic year. Typically, students should not seek approval if they have more than 9 credits to complete during the summer. Students seeking this option are required to submit the “Permission to Participate – Commencement” form along with required department chairperson/college dean signatures and proof of summer registration to the Registrar’s Office. Students who require coursework after August 31, 2023 are not permitted to participate in the Commencement 2023 ceremony; they will be eligible to attend the Commencement 2024 ceremony.

• Master’s degree candidates having a thesis requirement may participate in the Spring commencement ceremony only if the student has completed all course requirements prior to commencement and has the reasonable possibility of finishing the thesis by the end of the fall semester following commencement. In the MFA program, the visual thesis must also be completed prior to commencement. Master’s students with a non-thesis option may participate in the graduation ceremonies only if they: (a) have three (3) or fewer credits to complete to earn their degree; (b) complete those three (3) or fewer credits in the summer immediately following commencement and prior to the start of the ensuing fall semester; (c) are registered for those three (3) or fewer credits by Commencement day; (d) are expected to complete any other graduation requirements (e.g., project report) by the end of the ensuing fall semester; and (e) have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.000.

• Doctoral candidates must complete all degree requirements prior to participating in the commencement ceremonies.  Doctoral candidates may participate in the ceremony if they have received the written approval of all committee members, successfully defended their dissertation by Commencement day, and any necessary revisions to finalize the dissertation are minor and will be completed by May 31.  The Associate Provost for Graduate Studies shall make final decisions regarding doctoral candidates’ eligibility to participate in commencement ceremonies..

• Law students may participate in the Spring commencement ceremony only if they (a) need nine or fewer credits to complete all degree requirements; (b) are registered by commencement day for summer term courses that would satisfy their remaining credits; and (c) are expected to complete any other graduation requirements by the end of the summer term. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs shall make the final eligibility decision for law students' eligibility to participate in commencement ceremonies.

Other important university requirements

• Confirm your personal information is current in COIN (i.e. degree/diploma name, diploma/permanent address, personal email address, etc.)
• Clear all financial obligations to the university including but not limited to: full payment of your entire university bill, emergency loans, parking violations, borrowed library books, electronic equipment, and sports equipment. All borrowed university property must be returned to the appropriate place, and any late fees must be paid. Check your COIN account regularly for holds.
• Complete your Federal Direct Loan, Perkins, Nursing or Nurse Faculty Loan exit counseling requirements with Financial Aid and/or the Bursar’s Office:
• Federal Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and/or Graduate PLUS borrowers: My Direct Loan
• Federal Perkins/Nursing borrowers: You will receive an email from Heartland ECSI (loan servicer). Contact information: UMass Dartmouth Bursar’s Office, 508-999-8087 Heartland ECSI, 1-888-549-3274, cservice@ecsi.net

More information

• Frequently asked questions about graduation