Graduation Information
To qualify for graduation, students must meet all University and program requirements as stated in the University catalog. Students must fulfill catalog requirements in effect at the time of matriculation or students may elect to move to a later catalog year. Students may not split requirements from multiple catalog years. It is the responsibility of the student to fulfill all requirements for graduation. Careful consultation with an academic advisor is strongly encouraged.
Degrees are conferred in May, August, or December. Students who complete degree requirements in a Winterim term will be a May graduate and are eligible to participate in the May ceremony. Participation in a commencement ceremony does not confer a degree. Diplomas and final transcripts may be withheld for any graduate with unresolved financial obligations or non-compliance with federal financial aid regulations.
The academic record of anyone receiving a degree is closed three months after the end of the semester. Any changes to the academic record must be made by this date.
Diploma Information
Diplomas are mailed to the address listed on the application for graduation. They are sent via standard U.S. mail the month following graduation. Diplomas are sent after all final grades have been received and degree requirements are confirmed complete. Diplomas include the graduate’s name, degree, major, and academic honors, if earned. The date listed on the diploma reflects the end of the semester when the degree is officially considered complete rather than the commencement date.
The official academic transcript, not the diploma, is considered the certifying document to verify a degree. Graduates will be issued one diploma. Additional copies will not be provided, however, a replacement diploma may be requested by alumni. Replacement diplomas may be requested due to the name change from Villa Julie College to Stevenson University, due to an official personal name change, or due to a lost or damaged diploma. The replacement diploma may only be requested by the alumnus in writing using the request form located on the Stevenson University website. The fee for a replacement diploma is $30. Please note: Effective Fall 2008, all replacement diplomas will feature Stevenson University, even if the degree was earned prior to the name change.
Graduation Application
Graduating students are required to submit an Application for Graduation to the Registrar's Office according to published deadlines. At the time of application, a $25 fee is charged.
- December graduates must file by August 1.
- May and August graduates must file by January 1.
Failure to apply by the published deadlines may delay the evaluation and awarding of a student's degree. Students may apply online via WebXpress.
Graduation Ceremonies
Scheduled commencement ceremonies are held in May and December. Spring and summer graduates are invited to participate in the commencement ceremony in May. Fall graduates are invited to participate in the commencement ceremony in December. Summer graduates should be within six credits of degree completion prior to the start of the summer term to be eligible to participate in the May commencement. Students who complete all graduation requirements during the Winterim will be awarded their degree in May and are invited to participate in the May commencement ceremony. Students may only participate in one ceremony unless they are earning an additional degree. Only bachelor's and master's degree candidates may participate in commencement exercises. Only a graduate with mobility issues may have someone accompany them across the stage.
Graduation with Academic Honors
Academic honors are conferred upon those undergraduate students who achieve the following cumulative grade point average based on work done at Stevenson University. These honors will be listed on the diploma and the official academic transcript. This may differ from the academic honors announced during the commencement ceremony, which are based on the cumulative GPA prior to the final semester.
| Summa Cum Laude |
3.90–4.00 |
| Magna Cum Laude |
3.70–3.89 |
| Cum Laude |
3.50–3.69 |
Honors are not awarded for graduate degrees.