SUNY Empire
Commencement
2024

Commencement Participation and Graduation Clearance

Commencement and Graduation are different.

Commencement is the ceremony held to celebrate student achievement. A student may be invited to commencement, but will not graduate until all requirements are completed.

Graduation from Empire State University occurs once it is determined that a student has satisfied all necessary academic requirements to earn a degree. Once a student has “graduated,” they have officially earned a degree and may request transcripts stating so. Students who have graduated and have met all financial obligations to the college will receive their diploma in the mail. More information on the graduation review process can be found at the Graduation Procedure Information webpage.

 

Am I eligible to participate in the 2024 Winter Commencement?

The university hosts one commencement ceremony in December each year. Eligibility for our winter ceremony varies by program or school.

Winter commencement eligibility requirements must be met by November 1, 2024, including:

• Active graduation application on file. Instructions to complete a graduation application are available in the Empire State University Knowledge Base.
• Completed degree requirements* or registered for final coursework in the fall 2024 term.  

*Note for undergraduate students: Degree Program (DP) concurrence and/or individualized Prior Learning Assessment (iPLA) completion are degree requirements, and must be completed prior to the stated date. To guarantee meeting the November 1 deadline: 

• • iPLA requests must be submitted by July 15, 2024.
  • DP must be submitted by September 1, 2024.  

 

Am I eligible to participate in the 2025 Spring Commencement?

The university hosts commencement ceremonies each spring. Eligibility for our spring ceremonies varies by program or school.

Spring commencement eligibility requirements must be met by April 1, 2025, including: 

• Active graduation application on file. Instructions to complete a graduation application are available in the Empire State University Knowledge Base.
• Completed degree requirements* or registered for final coursework in the spring 2025 term or summer 2025 term.  

*Note for undergraduate students: Degree Program (DP) concurrence and/or individualized Prior Learning Assessment (iPLA) completion are degree requirements, and must be completed prior to the stated date. To guarantee meeting the April 1 deadline: 

• • iPLA requests must be submitted by November 1, 2024.
  • DP must be submitted by January 1, 2025.

 

Will I receive my diploma at the ceremony?

Official diplomas are mailed to students upon graduation; they are not distributed to students at the ceremony.

At commencement ceremonies, both in the United States and abroad, students will receive an official Empire State University diploma cover as they cross the stage.