Graduate School Graduation Information

Graduate Students

• Apply for Program Completion Process
• Eligibility
• Apply for Program Completion Deadlines
• Commencement Participation
• Degree Conferral Dates
• Graduation Honors
• Diploma Availability
• FAQs

Commencement 2023 Ceremony Info

• General Ceremony Information
• Cap and Gown Information
• Communication prior to ceremony
   

Apply for Program Completion Process

After logging into Workday click on the Academics Icon. On the right hand side there will be a list of menu items. Under Academic Records select, Apply for Program Completion

Students expecting to graduate must apply for program completion in Workday by the deadlines published on the website. Students completing more than one degree or certificate must file a separate application for each one.  

Eligibility

 Students eligible to graduate and receive a diploma must:

• complete all required and elective course requirements within the declared degree program
• have a degree GPA of 2.7 and a major/concentration GPA of 2.7
• clear all financial obligations with the university

Apply for Program Completion Deadlines

Commencement Participation Policy

If you are taking your final course(s) during the summer 2024 semester then your degree will be awarded in September 2024. You are invited to attend the 2024 Commencement Ceremony; however, students who will be short of the graduation requirements by six or fewer credits at the end of the spring 2024 semester may participate as "participants" in the 2024 commencement ceremony as long as they are registered for their final courses during the Summer.  In order to participate, you must apply for program completion by February 9th.  Please be sure to select the "September 2024" graduation date. This will ensure you are included in all commencement communications. 

In order to "participate" in the Graduate Commencement Ceremony, the October candidate must meet all of the following criteria:

• No more than 6 credits away from completing your degree requirements as of May 1, 2024
• Planning to take your final course(s) during the summer 2024 semester
• Registered for your final (summer 2023) course(s) by May 1, 2024
• May not be subject to review by the Academic Performance Committee
• Have a degree GPA of 2.7 or above as well as a major/concentration GPA of 2.7 or above
• Have no outstanding student account balance

Degree Conferral Dates 

Degrees are awarded three times a year (Sept, Feb/March and May). However, there is one ceremony per academic year, in May. All three graduating classes are invited to attend the May ceremony.

• If you complete your final course(s) during the summer semester, your degree will be awarded in September.
• If you complete your final course(s) during the fall semester, your degree will be awarded in January.
• If you complete your final course(s) during the spring semester, your degree will be awarded in May.

Please note: May intensive courses and May study tour courses are part of the summer semester, not spring. Any student completing his/her final course as a May intensive or study tour will be awarded his/her degree at the conclusion of the summer semester (September).

Graduation Honors 

Please review the Graduate School Catalogue

Diploma Availability

May Graduates - Your diploma will be mailed the end of June to the address you have provided.

September Graduates -Your diploma will be mailed out the end of October to the address you have provided.

January Graduates - Your diploma will be mailed out the end of March to the address you have provided.

FAQ's

I am an MBA student. Will my concentration be printed on my diploma? No. The diploma will read "Master of Business Administration"

I have special accent marks in my name.  How do I communicate this to the Registrar's office so that my diploma is printed correctly? There are several ways:

I am a  Emerging Leaders MBA, Professional MBA, or MS+MBA. What will be printed on my diploma? The diploma will read "Master of Business Administration". MS+MBA students receive 2 separate diplomas - one MBA and one MS and must file separate applications for program completion.

I completed some extra graduate courses that do not count toward my MS/MBA degree.  How does that affect my GPA? Please review the Graduate School Catalogue.

I will be completing my second graduate degree at Bentley.  How are graduation honors determined for each degree? Please review the Graduate School Catalogue.

When will a transcript be available with my degree conferral date printed on it? Approximately two business days after the official conferral date. Once the conferral date is posted to the transcript, it may take up to 5 business days to process transcript requests.

Am I able to obtain multiple copies of my diploma? No, only one original is produced and valid

I want to purchase a frame for my diploma.  What size is it? Diplomas for MBA and MS degrees are 11 x 14 inches; Certificates are 6 x 8 inches

I plan to attend the Commencement Ceremony, but I owe money on my student account.  Can I still participate? No.  You must have no outstanding student account balance to participate in the ceremony.

Do my guests need tickets to get into the Commencement Ceremony? How many of my friends and relatives can attend? See Commencement Site

I graduated from Bentley as an undergraduate. Can I wear the same cap and gown to the graduate ceremony? No, the gown and hood are different. 

2024 Graduation Ceremony Information

For General information, including cap and gown purchase, please go to Commencement Site

COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY 2023 COMMUNICATION

A letter containing general information about the ceremony will be sent mid-March to the following groups: 

• All September 2023 graduates
• All January 2024 graduates
• All May 2023 graduation candidates
• All September 2024 graduation candidates (who have filed a Petition to Graduate by February 1st stating that they would like to attend the 2023 ceremony as a “participant”)

A packet containing more detailed information will be mailed in mid-April – only to the subset of the students listed above who have indicated on their application for program completion that they plan to participate in the 2024 ceremony. 

The third and final letter will be mailed several days prior to the ceremony – only to students who previously indicated that they would be participating in the 2024 ceremony.

**Please be sure that your address is kept up to date with the Registrar’s Office** so that you don’t miss out on these important letters. If you did not receive a letter mentioned above, please contact the Registrar's Office.