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 are submitted online at http://nbregistrar.rutgers.edu/grad/gradip.htm. Degree candidates must file the online Graduate Diploma Application by the announced deadlines: October 1 for an October-dated degree, January 7 for a January-dated degree, and March 15 for a May-dated degree. If the candidate fails to file the application on or before the deadline date, the degree is not conferred 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 pickup.

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.

Diplomas and transcripts are withheld from all students whose financial accounts and debts (including tuition, housing, parking, and library) are not cleared.