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 Graduation Application via Student Self-Service by the deadline stated for each conferral. If requirements are not completed, the Graduation Application will be moved to the next conferral period only one time. No additional extensions will be permitted, and a new Graduation Application must be submitted when the student is ready to graduate and has completed all degree requirements.

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.

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 their professional program. Before filing the online graduation application, students should review their progress with their advisor and/or program director to determine that they have satisfactorily completed all degree requirements needed for graduation.

REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION ELIGIBILITY

Most students are enrolled at least half-time status (6 credits for undergraduates, 3 credits for graduate students) in order to maintain eligibility for Federal Financial Aid, and some students, such as international students, must be registered at full-time (12 undergraduate, 9 graduate) throughout their enrollment, including their final semester prior to graduation. Doctoral students should be registered as continuing students every semester until completion of their degrees. 

Only students who are actively enrolled at Lesley University are eligible to graduate from Lesley University in any conferral period.  Therefore, students may not complete degree requirements through transfer credits, CLEP exams, or other external credits alone.  Students who have not attended Lesley University for a semester or more must be registered for at least one academic credit at Lesley University during the semester proceeding degree conferral (i.e. - spring registration is required for May conferral, summer registration is required for September conferral, and fall registration is required for January conferral).

Study abroad is not allowed in the final semester at Lesley University.