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See also the University's Commencement Website
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.
Graduation
Interview
Students anticipating graduation in the coming academic year must arrange for a graduation
interview through Continuing Studies and Corporate 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
Continuing Studies and Corporate Education, or by calling (978) 934-2474.
Prior to coming in for their Graduation Interview, students must
complete the
Degree/Certificate
Completion Survey.
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
Studies 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 Studies 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.
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