Degree Conferral

Lesley University holds one commencement ceremony in May of each year. Degrees are conferred three times each year: September, January, and May.

Graduation is not automatic. Students who complete their course of study and expect to graduate must file a declaration of intent to graduate via LOIS by the deadline stated for each conferral.

Responsibility for meeting the requirements for graduation rests primarily with the student. The individual student should become acquainted with the various requirements of general education, liberal arts, and his/her/their professional program. Before filing the online intent form, students should review their audit with their advisor and/or program director to determine that they have satisfactorily completed all degree requirements needed for graduation.

Students cannot complete degree requirements using transfer credits. In order to receive a Lesley degree, students must be registered at Lesley for at least 1 credit during the semester preceding degree conferral.

The Declaration of Intent to Graduate form will be moved to the next conferral period only once if requirements are not completed. No additional deferrals will be permitted; a new Declaration of Intent must be submitted and a new fee will be billed to the student's account.

Students must file online by the published conferral deadlines, regardless of whether or not they intend to participate in the May commencement ceremony. All students who complete degree programs during the September or January conferral dates are invited to participate in the following May commencement ceremony. All financial obligations, including fines for overdue library materials, must be met prior to graduation.

Students who complete degree programs between conferral dates may request a Requirements Completed Transcript. See "Request a Transcript" on the Transcript web page at lesley.edu/transcripts. A Requirements Completed Transcript is an official transcript with a date verifying that all degree requirements are met. The statement on the transcript will serve as official confirmation of degree completion prior to the next conferral date. Requirements Completed Transcripts are acceptable to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and by most other state departments of education and school systems.