The university, only upon recommendation of the faculty, confers degrees after a formal application has been filed with the Office of the Graduate Registrar (Graduate Registrar's Office, Room 200F, ASB, Busch Campus 848-445-2757). Applications are submitted online at https://grad.admissions.rutgers.edu/Diploma/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fDiploma. Degree candidates must file the online Graduate Diploma Application by the announced deadlines: October 1 for an October-dated degree, January 2 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 conferred until the following degree date. The candidate must file an application for the following degree date. See the online diploma application for specific filing dates.

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.

Candidates for the three degree dates, October, January, and May, are given the option on the online diploma application of receiving their diplomas by mail, at the registrar's office, or at the school's convocation ceremony, if that option is available for the candidate's school. Diplomas are normally available in mid-November for an October-dated degree, mid-February for a January-dated degree, and mid-June for a May-dated degree. Degrees will be posted to students' transcripts one to two weeks sooner.

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