The university, only upon recommendation of the faculty, confers
degrees after a formal application has been filed with the Office of
the Graduate Registrar (Administrative Services Building, Room 200F, 65
Davidson Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8096). Applications may be obtained
from either the Office of the Graduate Registrar or the Office of
Academic Services at your dean`s office. Degree candidates must file a
Graduate Diploma Application by the announced deadlines: October 1 for
an October-dated degree, January 4 for a January-dated degree, and
April 1 for a May-dated degree. If the candidate fails to file the
application on or before the deadline date, the degree is not confirmed
until the following degree date.
Degrees are conferred three
times a year; however, there is one university commencement ceremony
held each May, at which time May-dated diplomas are issued. October and
January graduates also may participate in the annual commencement
ceremony.
An October or January graduate who is unable to
attend the annual commencement ceremony in May will have his or
her diploma mailed to the address indicated on the diploma application.
October and January graduates not attending the annual commencement may
choose to pick up their diplomas at the Office of the Graduate
Registrar, rather than having them mailed to them. This choice,
however, must be indicated on the diploma application at the time of
filing, and proof of identity must be provided at the time of pick up.
An October or January graduate who attends the annual commencement
ceremony also will have his or her diploma mailed to the address
indicated on the diploma application, but the diploma jacket will be
retained for use in the May ceremony.
Candidates who complete
the degree requirements before October 1 or January 4 may request a
Certificate of Graduation for use until their diploma is received,
provided they have filed the diploma application and have completed all
other requirements for the degree as certified by their dean's office.
The initial certificate request should be sent to their dean`s Office
of Academic Services, which will forward the signed request to the
Office of the Graduate Registrar for processing.
Diplomas and
transcripts are withheld from all students whose financial accounts and
debts (including tuition, housing, parking, and library) are not
cleared.