Student Handbook
Undergraduate Commencement/Graduation
Bentley confers degrees three times per year consistent with the meetings of the Board of Trustees. Students completing degree requirements at the conclusion of the spring term will be considered May graduates. Student's completing degree requirements at the conclusion of the summer term will be considered October/November graduates. Students completing degree requirements at the conclusion of the summer intensive week in May WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED MAY GRADUATES. Students completing degree requirements at the conclusion of the fall term will be considered February/March graduates.
Students are required to file a petition to graduate through Banner Web. Specific dates of each conferral are listed in the academic calendar. Late petitions will be subject to late fees of $25 or $100.
Conferrals are conditioned upon a final audit of the student's degree requirements. Students are required to have a minimum overall cumulative quality point average of 2.0, a minimum cumulative quality point average of 2.0 in his or her major and a minimum cumulative quality point average of 2.0 in his or her minor when one is elected or required. Quality point averages are not rounded.
All students must otherwise be in good standing at Bentley. Each student must meet all financial requirements to Bentley and have completed loan exit interviews when required.
Walker Policy
Bachelor's degree students may participate in the May commencement exercises as "walkers" if they are within seven credits of completing their graduation requirements, as long as all other criteria are met (i.e., overall, major GPA are 2.0 or higher and all financial obligations have been met). The actual degree will be conferred and graduation honors determined when all course work has been completed and on one of the three published conferral dates. Students will be required to complete a "Petition to Walk" form and a "Participation Contract" with the Office of Academic Services in order to be eligible.
Note: Students completing degree requirements at the conclusion of the summer intensive week in May WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED MAY GRADUATES.
Associate degree recipients must complete all degree requirements to participate in commencement exercises.
Concentration certificate students do not participate in the formal commencement, but certificates are conferred three times per year.
