The following policy defines the requirements that must be met in order for students to participate in commencement exercises and/or receive diplomas during the commencement exercises.
Undergraduate Students—Only students who have completed all of the requirements for graduation prior to the commencement exercises will receive diplomas during the commencement exercises. Students in special circumstances, who are pursuing double degrees, dual degrees, or who have participated in the Co-op program, and who have four (4) credit hours or less remaining towards completion of their degree(s) can petition the Office of the Registrar for permission to participate in the commencement exercises, but will not receive their diploma. These will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, but under no circumstances will students with more than four credit hours remaining towards completion of their degrees be allowed to participate.
Graduate Students—For graduate students the eligibility requirements will be as follows:
• PhDs will be required to have successfully defended their thesis and to have submitted an approved final thesis to the graduate school by a published deadline (to be determined) that would provide sufficient time for confirmation, in order to receive their diploma during the commencement exercises. For special circumstances, students who have defended successfully, but have not yet submitted their final thesis to the graduate school, may petition the Office of the Registrar to participate in the commencement exercises, but will not receive their diploma. For these cases, a signed letter from the thesis advisor and the degree clearance officer will be required, along with the approval of the dean of graduate education, in order for the student to participate in the commencement exercises.
• Masters students completing a thesis or project—the requirements will be the same as those listed above.
• MS students without thesis—Only students who have completed all of the requirements for graduation prior to the commencement exercises will receive diplomas and be allowed to participate in the commencement exercises.
• MBA students—Only students who have completed all of the requirements for graduation prior to the commencement exercises will receive diplomas and be allowed to participate in the commencement exercises.
These guidelines will also apply to students participating in and receiving diplomas, at the Rensselaer at Hartford commencement exercises.
Please note:
In May 2002, students who have participated in Co-op or comparable programs may attend the ceremony, if they are within one semester of completion of degree requirements.” (http://www.rpi.edu/dept/NewsComm/Calendar/Commencement/policy.html)
