Senior FAQ: when will I graduate, when will I get my diploma, and when is my Commencement ceremony?

Many of you are asking about graduation dates and when you will get your diploma.

Some helpful info and clarification of terms:

 

 

Graduation a.k.a. Degree Conferral is when you stop being a Barnard student and start being a Barnard graduate or alumna. 

 

 

 

Commencement is the ceremony where students wear gowns, walk across a stage, listen to distinguished speakers, etc. As a Barnard senior, you will be invited to participate in both the Barnard College Commencement and the Columbia University Commencement, as well as many other ceremonial and celebratory events that will take place around that season. Students do not receive diplomas at Commencement -- these will be mailed to you regardless of your graduation date.

 

With these definitions in mind, here is the latest info on who is eligible to participate in which Commencement ceremony, what your diploma will say, and how to request permission if you are in various categories of exception (this info is also on the Deans Office website, along with a very helpful chart that makes all these dates even clearer):

Barnard College offers three degree conferral dates each calendar year in line with the degree conferral dates set by Columbia University. These dates are: February, for students who completed all degree requirements by December of the previous calendar year; May, for students who completed all degree requirements during the Spring semester of the current calendar year; and October for students who completed all degree requirements during the summer of the current year.

Although there are three degree conferral dates each year, only one University Commencement ceremony is held annually, typically at the culmination of the Spring semester. Additionally, Barnard holds a separate Commencement ceremony –  also at the culmination of the Spring semester – at which individual graduates are recognized.

All degree candidates are invited to participate in the Commencement ceremonies at both Barnard and Columbia according to the eligibility below:

• Students eligible to participate in the May ceremonies are those whose degrees were conferred in February or will be conferred in May of that same calendar year
• October Graduates:
  • Students expected to complete degree requirements in the summer of that calendar year and who will be within 2 courses (totaling no more than 8 credits) of completing their degree requirements at the culmination of the Spring semester. While such students may participate in Commencement exercises, the degree will not be conferred until October. Approval for anticipated October graduates to participate in the May ceremony in the same calendar year must be obtained from the Senior Class Dean, and students must have a detailed plan for completion of their remaining credits.
  • In rare circumstances, a student with more than 2 courses (or more than 8 credits) remaining for degree completion at the end of the Spring semester may be approved by the Dean for Academic Planning and Class Advising to participate in the May Commencement ceremonies.
  • Students whose degrees are conferred in October but who did not participate in the Commencement ceremony of that calendar year may request to the Dean of the College to participate during the ceremony the following May.

The name of a student will appear in only one year's Commencement Program. If students opt to participate in Commencement before their academic program is complete, they may not participate in any future year's Commencement exercises. There will be no exceptions to this policy.