To be eligible to be awarded a degree, graduating students must meet all academic  requirements, specific program of study requirements, residency requirements, and be in good standing. In addition, before receiving their diploma, students must also clear all financial, experiential education, and disciplinary deficiencies. Requirements are specified for each program under the various schools and colleges in this catalog.

Once matriculated, students are expected to complete all coursework for their degree at Northeastern University; at an entity in a formal contractual, consortial, or partnership relationship with Northeastern; or at an approved Northeastern study-abroad program. In some cases, to clear a deficiency, to permit students access to courses deemed by their respective advisors and colleges to be important for their education but unavailable to them at Northeastern, or to remain on track for graduation, a student may petition their college for permission to take a course at another accredited institution. 

Prior to completion of their program, the student’s university degree audit will be reviewed by their college’s academic advising office.

Commencement

Attendance at Commencement is optional. Information concerning Commencement is provided to all graduating students during the spring semester. Students who have been removed from the graduation list are notified if they fail to qualify for their degrees. No special notice is sent to students who do qualify.

Graduation Procedures

The following information is for degree-seeking students only. Certificate students should refer to the “Certificate” section below.

Only students who complete the graduation application process by specified deadlines will be considered for graduation and included in the graduation ceremony program. All qualified students must submit a graduation application to receive their diploma, regardless of whether they plan to attend the graduation ceremony.

Note important definitions: “Degree conferral date” and “graduation ceremony date” are not the same. Degree conferral date refers to the date of Northeastern’s official recognition of degree completion. For the purposes of the graduation application that is accessed via the Student Hub, the “expected graduation date” is the same as the degree conferral date. Northeastern confers degrees three times each academic year: at the end of the fall, spring, and summer terms. The graduation ceremony date is the date that the college hosts the annual graduation ceremony.

Each fall, the Office of the University Registrar sends an email notification to students who may be eligible to graduate that academic year about applying to graduate. Eligibility is based on the EGD. This email notification informs and instructs students to complete the “Apply to Graduate” process, accessed via the Student Hub. Students are prompted to verify and provide critical information, e.g., spelling of the student’s name on the diploma and mailing address.

An accurate EGD is required to gain access to the graduation application. The EGD is also used by clearinghouses to determine loan deferment schedules. A student who needs to update their EGD should contact their academic advisor.

Diploma

Information that will be printed on diplomas includes:

  • Degree.
  • The major will be printed on diplomas for nonspecified degrees only: Associate in Science, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Professional Studies, Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study, Doctor of Philosophy). Minors and concentrations are not printed on diplomas.
  • Honors designation, for those who qualify.

Changes made to a student’s name after the diploma has been printed may be subject to a $50 fee and take more than one month to reprint.

Changes made to a student’s degree information and name submitted after the graduation ceremony program deadline will not be noted in the graduation ceremony program.

Certificate

Certificates are conferred at the same time degrees are conferred each year in fall, spring, and summer terms. Students must consult with their academic advisor to be admitted to the certificate program to receive their certificate. Deadlines apply. Students should contact their academic advisor for more information. 

Academic Transcripts

Currently enrolled students may obtain unofficial transcripts and also order official transcripts from the Student Hub. For further information on transcript requests, visit the Registrar Service Portal.  All questions concerning transcript requests should be directed to 617.373.2300, TTY 617.373.5360.

Academic information noted on official academic transcripts includes degree/certificate name; major; minor (if applicable); academic history, including transfer credits; and graduation honors designation (if applicable).