Graduation, Commencement, and Diplomas

Conferral of Degrees/Graduation
The University confers degrees three times each year. Summer degrees are conferred on the last business day of September and fall degrees are conferred on the last business day of January. Spring conferral dates are announced each year to coincide with the University's Commencement ceremonies.

Since the University confers degrees at various times throughout the year, students should consult with their dean's office for dates when diplomas will be available for pick-up.

Unclaimed diplomas will be kepts for five years from the date of award, after which they will be destroyed. Gradautes who request an unclaimed diploma after it has been destroyed will have to pay the replacement fee in effect at the time of the request. It should be noted that a replacement diploma may not be identical in all respects to the original.

Commencement
The University has one general Commencement ceremony a year in May. If you plan to attend your Commencement Exercises, you will need to register online at www.stjohns.edu/commencement or call the Office of University Events at (718) 990-6365 for more information. The School of Law and the Rome Campus usually holds their exercises in early June.

Diplomas are not distributed at the annual commencement ceremonies, but every effort is made to have your diploma available in your dean's office shortly following the ceremonies.

Ordering Diplomas for Graduation
To apply for a diploma, you can access the Application for Diploma through your UIS account unde the Student Record Menu option. Please note that your diploma will not be ordered until you have submitted your Application for Diploma online. Please submit your Application for Diploma no later than two weeks prior to Graduation.

Certain HOLDs on a student account prevent the ordering a diploma. Students who have a HOLD can view their online account for details or contract (718) 990-2000 to review.

If you need a name on your diploma that differs from your records, please submit a Change of Name Form, which can be obtained from the Office of the Registrar, with proof of your new name. Proof can be provided by court papers, marriage license, divorce papers, and similar documents. Students only need to submit those papers that attest to their name change. Confidential or personal information regarding name changes do not need to be submitted.

Replacement Diplomas
If your original diploma is lost, stolen or destroyed, a replacement diploma can be ordered. To order a replacement diploma, you need to file a standard application for diploma and a notarized affidavit. You also will need to provide copies of two forms of identification, one containing a photo. Examples of identification include a passport, driver's license, social security card, and work ID. There is a $50 fee for a replacement diploma. Please call (718) 990-2000 for applications and affidavits.

Loss, destruction, change of name, and theft are the only reasons for which a diploma will be replaced. We do not issue duplicate diplomas.

Applications for replacement diplomas may be mailed to one of the following addresses: