Academic Policies - Graduation/Program Completion

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See also the University's Commencement Website

Graduation Interview

Students anticipating graduation in the coming academic year must arrange for a graduation interview through Continuing Education. The purpose of this interview is to determine eligibility for graduation and to begin the ordering process for the diploma. During this interview, degree candidates must identify such problems as missing courses or any problems with grades, incompletes, or transfer credits.

Students who expect to complete their degree requirements in the Fall Semester must complete the interview by the end of October, and students who expect to complete their degree requirements in the Spring or Summer Semesters must complete their interview by mid-March, to ensure that their names are included in the graduation program and that their diplomas are available at graduation time. Appointments are made in person at the Division of Online and Continuing Education, or by calling (978) 934-2474. Prior to coming in for their Graduation Interview, students must complete the Degree/Certificate Completion Survey (aka Exit Interview Survey).  

Click here for information regarding the completion of certificate programs.

Awarding of Degrees

The University awards degrees three times a year:

1. For students completing degree requirements during the Spring, the degrees are awarded in June and diplomas are available to students in June;
2. For students completing degree requirements during the Fall Semester, the degrees are awarded in February and the diplomas are available to students in March; and
3. For students completing degree requirements during the Summer term, the degrees are awarded in October and the diplomas are available to students in December.

Verification of Degree Completion

Individuals who wish to submit verification of degree completion to their employers or to graduate schools during the period between the end of their final grading period and the conferring of degrees may obtain a "Letter of Completion" by emailing Catherine_Hamilton@uml.edu or by calling 978-934-3939.

University Honors

The University awards degrees with three levels of distinction upon those graduating students who have attained exceptional scholastic distinction. Three levels of distinction are noted at commencement: summa cum laude, magna cum laude and cum laude.

University honors are officially entered on the permanent record of students. To graduate with honors a student must have achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.25 for all courses completed at the University and must have earned a minimum of 60 semester credits at the University as an upper-class student. A total of nine (9) credits of departmental exam and/or courses graded "S" may be used toward the 60 credits needed to be considered for University Honors. Credits taken on a Pass/Fail basis may not be counted toward the 60 credit requirement.

Three levels of distinction are noted at commencement:

Summa Cum Laude: 3.850 - 4.0

Magna Cum Laude: 3.500 - 3.849

Cum Laude: 3.250 - 3.499

National Honor Society

The Gamma Delta Chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda is a national honor society for Continuing Education students. The aim of Alpha Sigma Lambda is to recognize adult students who achieve academic excellence in their course work while performing the many responsibilities associated with their families and careers. Eligibility for membership requires that students rank in the top 10 percent of all students who meet certain academic requirements. Selections for membership are made during the Spring, and students who are invited to become members are inducted into the Society in April. Find out about UMass Lowell's Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society, a nationwide organization that recognizes the academic excellence of Continuing Education students.

University Commencement

Graduation exercises are held once a year in late May or early June. Undergraduates who have completed requirements during the preceding Fall Semester, who complete degree requirements during the current Spring Semester, and who anticipate completion of degree requirements during the next immediate Summer term are encouraged to attend commencement exercises, and their names are listed in the commencement booklet.

Hotel Information for out-of-town students.

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