Graduation Information
To earn a degree from Stevenson University (i.e., 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 have their degrees conferred in May. Participation in a commencement ceremony does not confer a degree. Diplomas may be withheld for any graduate with unresolved financial obligations.
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 prior to the closure of the academic record.
Diploma Information
Diplomas are mailed to the address listed on the application for graduation. They are sent via U.S. mail approximately six weeks after degree conferral. Diplomas are sent after all final grades have been received and degree requirements are confirmed complete. Diplomas include the graduate’s name, degree, and major. 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. 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 in writing by the graduate using the request form located on the Stevenson University website. The fee for a replacement diploma is $50.
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 submit by August 1.
- May and August graduates must submit 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 on the Stevenson University website.
Graduation Ceremonies
Commencement ceremonies are celebrations held once each year in May. Students may only participate in one ceremony unless they are earning an additional degree. Only bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree candidates may participate in commencement exercises. Certificate program completion does not qualify a student for commencement participation. Additional information regarding commencement is available via the website stevenson.edu/commencement.
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. A student's GPA is not rounded in the determination of academic honors.
| Summa Cum Laude |
3.900–4.000 |
| Magna Cum Laude |
3.700–3.899 |
| Cum Laude |
3.500–3.699 |
Academic Honors are not awarded for graduate degrees.