Graduation / Commencement

Graduation and Commencement are often confused for one another. At Ramapo College, Graduation is the completion of all degree requirements as certified and recorded on the official transcript. Students graduate (degrees are conferred) three times per year, at the conclusion of the Spring, Summer and Fall semesters. Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates the completion (or anticipated completion) of your degree. Commencement ceremonies take place at the conclusion of the Spring semester only. January graduates, June and August graduation candidates from that year are invited to participate. These ceremonies mark the conclusion of your academic career; a time for the Ramapo College community, along with your family and friends, to celebrate you. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not guarantee graduation.

Graduation Requirements:

• • Undergraduate – Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirements
    Students must have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average G.P.A. as well as a 2.0 G.P.A. in their major and second major and/or minor. The following programs require specific G.P.A.’s higher than a 2.0 to be eligible for their degree. They are as follows: 2.3 G.P.A. in Nursing major and 2.85 for Clinical Lab Sciences & Medical Imaging Sciences. All courses taken at Ramapo College (including those numbered below 100) apply to the G.P.A. whether for graduation credit or not. Transferred course work does not count in the G.P.A. at Ramapo College.
  • Undergraduate Minimum Credit Requirements
    Students must have a minimum of 128 credits in order to graduate. A minimum of one-half of the credits for majors/second majors/minors must have been completed at Ramapo College. All students must have completed a minimum of 48 credits at Ramapo College with the final 32 credits being completed in residence. Students are responsible for all requirements in effect at the time of matriculation. Students who have not been enrolled at Ramapo College for two or more consecutive semesters must apply for readmission and will be responsible for graduation requirements in effect at the time of readmission.
  • Graduate– Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirements
    Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. All courses taken at Ramapo College apply to the G.P.A whether for graduation credit or not. Transferred course work does not count in the G.P.A. at Ramapo College.
  • Doctorate– Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirements
    Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. All courses taken at Ramapo College apply to the G.P.A. whether for graduation credit or not. Transferred course work does not count in the G.P. A. at Ramapo College.
  • Incomplete Grades
    All “I” grades must be resolved five (5) business days prior to official degree conferral date shown below. A student may not graduate with an I grade on their transcript. If, you decide to postpone your graduation, please e-mail grad@ramapo.edu .

  NO CHANGES OF ANY KIND MAY BE MADE TO YOUR ACADEMIC RECORD ONCE YOU HAVE GRADUATED.

  Graduation Application/Instructions:

  Graduation Application Deadline Dates:

  Graduation Term	Application Available	Graduation Application Deadline	Official Conferral of Degrees	Diploma Mailed
  Fall	June 1 to November 6	November 6	January 30	Mid-March
  Spring	November 7 to April 1	April 1	June 20	Late July
  Summer	March 1 to May 31*	May 31*	August 30	Late September

  *Graduation Applications received after March 30th will not be listed in the Commencement Program.

  Graduation Application

  The online graduation application is accessible after the student meets with their advisor and access to the online application is approved. Late applicants please use the double major application.

  Instructions:

  • Log on to Web Self-Service
  • Click on Student Services and Financial Aid (Tab or Link)
  • Click on Student Records (Link)
  • Click on Student Profile (Link)
  • Click on Application to Graduate (Link on left side of page)

  Special Note for Students with 2 or 3 majors

  Students with 4+1 programs, double majors and late applicants must use the link below to apply for graduation.

  APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Make an appointment with your advisor to confirm you are ready to apply for graduation. Your advisor will remove your graduation hold which will give you access to the online graduation application.
  • In order to apply for graduation, your degree audit MUST have all areas satisfied. If your degree audit needs an adjustment, you should email your advisor or convener prior to applying. The advisor/convener will contact your dean with recommended audit adjustments.
  • Complete the online Graduation Application by clicking the link above.
  • The Graduation Office will contact you if there are any unforeseen issues.

  SCHOOL DEANS:

  • Dean Ed Petkus, Anisfield School of Business, Room ASB-333
  • Dean Ken Goldstein, School of Contemporary Arts, Room BC-237
  • Dean Susan Hangen, School of Humanities and Global Studies, Room B-224D
  • Dean Aaron Lorenz, School of Social Science and Human Services, Room ASB-431
  • Dean Edward Saiff, School of Theoretical and Applied Science, Room ASB-422

  IMPORTANT: ALL correspondence regarding your graduation application and/or status will be sent to your RAMAPO EMAIL ACCOUNT ONLY. Therefore, you must maintain your Ramapo email account and check it regularly.

  Graduation Application Fee:

  The graduation fee is $100.00 non-refundable fee assessed to all students who have filed for graduation. The fee will be added directly to your bill/account. This fee covers costs associated with degree processing. It is not a fee associated with participation in commencement, and it does not cover the costs of your regalia (cap & gown). Students with balances will be unable to receive their diploma and/or transcript until the balance is paid. The fee is added to your bill/account once per degree.

  Diplomas:

  After your degree is certified, as long as you do not have any outstanding financial obligations, your diploma will be mailed within approximately 6 weeks directly to the address indicated on the graduation application. Therefore, it is important for you to email grad@ramapo.edu to change your diploma address if your address changes after you apply for graduation.

  Honors:

  • Graduation with Distinction (Latin Honors)
    Latin Honors are awarded automatically to undergraduate graduates who have achieved a cumulative grade point average (including “R” grade credits) as follows:
    3.500 – 3.699 cum laude
    3.700 – 3.849 magna cum laude
    3.850 – 4.000 summa cum laude
  • Honors Program
    Undergraduate Seniors with questions regarding Honors Program should consult the Honors Program Director at (201) 684-7110.

  Commencement Ceremonies:

  Commencement Ceremonies take place at the conclusion of the Spring semester only. All January graduates, June and August graduation candidates from that year are invited to participate.

  For Arching, Undergraduate Commencement at Prudential Center and Graduate Commencement in Bradley Center Arena please continue to the Commencement Website below.