Degrees are conferred at the Mason Gross School of the Arts Convocation and the annual university commencement ceremony every May. Degrees are issued to students via postal mail by the university upon recommendation of the faculty and dean of students once all degree requirements are completed and final grades are posted on the transcript.

The bachelor's degree is conferred with the distinction summa cum laude for graduates with a Rutgers cumulative grade-point average of 3.850 or higher; magna cum laude for those with an average of 3.700 or higher; and cum laude for those with an average of 3.500 or higher. Averages are not rounded to the next higher number in the calculation of honors.

Students completing degree requirements in October or January may obtain a letter from the Office of Academic Programs or ask the university registrar for a certificate attesting to their completion of degree requirements, provided they have filed a Diploma Information Card.

Students graduating in October may request to participate in the commencement ceremonies the preceding spring if they have 6 or less credits to complete their degree and present the dean's office with an academic plan for completion by the October graduation deadline.

Students graduating in January are invited and encouraged to participate in the commencement ceremonies at the completion of the subsequent spring semester.

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.

Students who complete courses at other institutions or return to Rutgers to complete degree deficiencies must notify the Mason Gross Dean's Office, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 33 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.

Post-Obitum Award of Degree. In the unfortunate event of the death of a student who has enrolled in the Mason Gross School of the Arts as a senior in good standing, requests will be considered for the awarding of the degree that was being earned. The request may be submitted in writing to the dean of students.