Degrees are conferred by the university upon recommendation of the faculty only at annual commencement at the end of the spring term. Students completing degree requirements in October or January may ask the registrar for a certificate attesting to their completion of degree requirements after October 1 or after February 15. All students are required to file a diploma information card with the registrar (available at registrar.rutgers.edu/), normally at the beginning of the senior year.

Degrees are conferred in absentia when the candidate has advised the registrar in advance of inability to attend commencement. Diplomas are withheld from all students whose financial or library accounts are not cleared.