Graduation and Commencement
Graduation
Graduation is the official completion of your program and conferral of an academic degree. In order to graduate, students must apply for graduation using CUNYFirst the semester before the semester of their planned graduation and complete any outstanding requirements by the stated deadlines.
Applying for Graduation Using CUNYFirst
All graduate students must apply for graduation via their CUNYfirst account. Log into your CUNYfirst account and navigate to your “Student Center.” Click on the “Graduation” tile to proceed with your application.
When do I apply?
The application period opens the semester before the semester of your planned graduation.
Planned Fall/Winter Graduation
Application period is June 16 – October 15.
Planned Spring Graduation
Application period is October 16 – February 15.
Planned Summer Graduation
Application period is February 16 – June 15.
For further information about applying for graduation visit One Stop.
Understanding Your Graduation Audit Results
Degree audit results are a list of outstanding exit requirements that must be completed on time in order to graduate.
The results will be emailed to students via their myHUNTER email address from Degree Audit Division by the last month of the semester.
Completing Outstanding Requirements
Students must complete any outstanding requirements by the following dates:
Planned Fall/Winter Graduation
Students must complete any outstanding requirements by December 20th.
Planned Spring Graduation
Students must complete any outstanding requirements by May 20th.
Planned Summer Graduation
Students must complete any outstanding requirements by August 10th.
Report Exit Requirements to the Office of Academic and Student Affairs
When applicable, students must report the following exit requirements to the Office of Academics and Student Affairs:
- Workshop Completion and Exam Scores
- Course Substitutions
- Graduate Time Extension
- Technology Competencies
- Professional Teaching Portfolio
- Comprehensive Exam
Admissions Conditions
If you have outstanding admissions conditions to fulfill prior to graduation, please visit the Admissions Conditions page.
Maintenance of Matriculation
A Graduate Degree student who is not registered for any course(s) but is completing other degree requirements for graduation must complete the registration procedure by registering to maintain matriculation (for maintenance fee). A student must be on file for the semester in which they are planning to graduate. If you have been out of attendance for one semester or more, you must file for readmission to Hunter College. Students may not register for other course work during the semester in which they maintain matriculation.
Maintenance of Matriculation Form
You will be required to log in with your NET ID in order to access the form.
Checking Degree Status and Conferral Timeline
Checking Degree Status
After applying for graduation, students can check the status of their graduation posting through their CUNYfirst account.
To check via CUNYfirst go to “Self Service”, then “Degree Process/Graduation”, then select “View Grad Status.” You may see updates such as “Applied,” “In Review” or “Pending.”
- Applied – You have applied for graduation and your application is on file with Degree Audit Division. Your audit has not yet been conducted.
- In Review – There are outstanding items on your audit that must be addressed. Degree Audit Division will email you at your myHUNTER email account with the results of your audit.
- Pending – Your audit is awaiting end of term grades.
Once your graduation is posted, you will no longer see “View Grad Status” as an option. Check your unofficial transcript through “Self Service” then select “Academic Records” to see your degree conferred.
Conferral and Processing Timeline
Only students who have met all requirements for graduation will be conferred. The conferral date is the official graduation date on a student’s transcript and diploma. The degree will be processed and posted to CUNYfirst by Degree Audit Division within 8-weeks after the conferral date. Recommendations for teacher certification are sent about a week after the graduation posts to CUNYfirst.
Fall Degree Conferral and Processing Dates
- Conferral Date: January 1
- Processing Date: March 1
Winter Degree Conferral and Processing Dates
- Conferral Date: February 1
- Processing Date: April 1
Spring Degree Conferral and Processing Dates
- Conferral Date: June 1
- Processing Date: August 1
Summer Degree Conferral and Processing Dates
- Conferral Date: September 1
- Processing Date: November 1
Canceling Your Graduation Application
To adjust the graduation term after applying, students must email Degree Audit Division at degree.audit@hunter.cuny.edu.
Commencement
Commencement is the celebration of graduation – or impending graduation – usually held prior to a degree being conferred.
There are two ceremonies celebrating graduation:
- Hunter College Commencement: Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 3pm (Barclay’s Center)
- School of Education Graduation Celebration: TBA
The School of Education ceremony is a separate celebration from Hunter College’s commencement ceremony. You are encouraged to participate in both. For questions on the School of Education’s Graduation Celebration, please email soeceleb@hunter.cuny.edu.
Diplomas
Visit One Stop For Students for Diploma information.