Degrees are conferred in absentia when the candidate has advised the school's Office of Academic Programs in advance of his or her inability to attend the University Commencement ceremony.

Students who complete courses at other institutions or return to Rutgers to complete degree deficiencies must notify the school's Office of Academic Programs of their intent to graduate and arrange to have an official transcript forwarded to the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Office of Academic Programs, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 88 Lipman Drive, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8525. Deadlines for this notification are February 1 for May graduation, August 1 for an August degree date, and November 1 for a January degree date.

Diplomas will be withheld from all students whose financial accounts are not clear.

Graduation with Honors.  Academic excellence is recognized by the school faculty's recommendation that the bachelor's degree be conferred with summa cum laude to students whose cumulative grade-point average is 3.850 or higher; magna cum laude to those whose cumulative grade-point average is 3.700 to 3.849; and cum laude to those whose cumulative grade-point average is 3.500 to 3.699.

Phi Beta Kappa.  Each spring semester, the Phi Beta Kappa Society invites to membership outstanding students of the junior and senior classes. Election to the society is based on high academic achievement, a record of coursework that involves the pursuit of a liberal arts major, proficiency in a foreign language through the intermediate level, a minimum of two years equivalent of full-time coursework at Rutgers University, and breadth of scholarship. Phi Beta Kappa, established in 1776, is the oldest and most widely recognized liberal arts honorary society in the United States.

Prizes and Honors.   The School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, its individual academic departments, and other units of the university offer a variety of prizes and awards for students with excellent academic records or special eligibility. Students should consult with their academic departments for additional information. 

Post-Obitum Award of Degree.  In the unfortunate event of the death of a student who was enrolled in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences 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 school's Admissions and Scholastic Standing Committee.