APPLY TO GRADUATE PROCESS
How do I apply for graduation?
How long will the application take?
What if I don't apply?
What if I receive an error message when I click on the Apply to Graduate link on myNEU?
What if my degree information is incorrect?
Will my major be printed on my diploma?
I recently changed my legal name and I want it to be printed on my diploma. How can I update it on the Graduation Application?
I would like to add accent marks to my name. What is the process?
What if I entered information incorrectly?
Am I only able to participate in the ceremony applicable to my college/level?
Are there any deadlines I should be aware of?
Are there other important obligations I should be aware of before Commencement?
I have completed an exit interview but now my date of graduation has changed. Will it still be valid?
Who do I contact if I have special needs (i.e. mobility, hearing, etc.) that need accommodating if I choose to participate in the ceremony?
How will I receive information regarding Commencement?
What do I do if I need an invitation letter from the University so that my family outside of the U.S. may join me at my graduation ceremony?
TICKETS - REGALIA - DIPLOMA - PHOTOS - SPECIAL EVENTS
How many guest tickets am I allowed?
Are extra tickets available if I need them?
When will I be able to pick up my guest tickets?
Will invitations be included with the guest tickets?
When may I pick up my cap and gown?
What is my tassel/hood color?
Do I need to pay for my cap and gown?
I don't want to wear a cap and gown, do I have to?
I am graduating with honors. Will I receive an honor cord?
When will I receive my diploma?
Will I be able to purchase commencement photos?
When do I have my photo taken for the Yearbook?
Are there any special college/school or senior events prior to commencement?
CEREMONY INFORMATION
When is Commencement and who is eligible to participate?
Where and what time do I report for Commencement?
How long does the ceremony last?
Who is the Commencement speaker?
Is there parking available?
Do you provide special seating or services for my guest if he/she has mobility issues?
How do I apply for graduation?
1. Curriculum Review
Before you Apply to Graduate through your myNEU account we recommend you take the time to review your current program information, i.e. degree, major, minor and concentration. To review this information login to your myNEU account; under the Self-Service tab click Student Self-Service. From the Student Menu, click Student Records, then choose View Student Information; choose your term and click submit. Your expected graduation date and curriculum information will be noted on this page.
2. Apply to Graduate
Access the myNEU portal by logging on to http://myneu.neu.edu. Using the Self-Service tab you will find the Commencement box located at the bottom left corner of the screen. Choose the Apply to Graduate option and complete the application provided.
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How long will the Graduation Application take to complete?
This task should take no more than a few minutes for you to complete, and is required in order to begin the degree completion process.
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What if I don't apply?
Failure to complete the Graduation Application form will impact the printing of your diploma, your participation in the ceremony; your ability to receive ceremony guest tickets; your information being included in the printed ceremony program, etc.
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What if I receive an error message when I click on the Apply to Graduate link on myNEU?
This is most likely because your expected graduation date is not listed for the current year you are applying in or you are applying after the deadline. You will need to contact your academic advisor to have your Pattern of Attendance changed to update your expected graduation date.
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What if my degree information is incorrect?
Do not complete the application form. Contact your adviser or the dean's office of your college/school and request that a "Curriculum and/or Conferral Date Change for a Graduate Candidate" form be completed on your behalf. Check periodically for the update to your application and then complete the form as directed.
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Will my major be printed on my diploma?
The major will be printed on diplomas for non-specified degrees (Associate in Science Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Arts, PhD) only.
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I recently changed my legal name and I want it to be printed on my diploma. How can I update it on the Graduation Application?
You must complete the Commencement Name Change form and return it with the applicable documentation no later than March 2 to ensure that your diploma will be printed correctly. Upon review and approval, your name will be updated on both your Student Record and Graduation Application.
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I would like to add accent marks to my name. What is the process?
You must complete the Commencement Name Change form - Section 2 and return it no later than March 1 to ensure that your diploma will be printed correctly.
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What if I entered information incorrectly?
You will not have access to update your application form after it is submitted. Be sure to carefully review before doing so. If a change is needed after this time, you must contact the Commencement Office by calling 617.373.4098 or emailing Commencement@neu.edu. A service fee may apply if the diploma has already been printed.
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Am I only able to participate in the ceremony applicable to my degree/level?
Yes, you are eligible to participate only in the ceremony that applies to your level and date of completion requirements
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Are there any deadlines I should be aware of?
APPLICATION DEADLINES: Please refer to the Term Completion dates for dates applicable to completion of your degree.
PROGRAM DEADLINES: Information applicable to your degree or diploma name, not submitted via the application form by the deadline noted below will not be included in the program. Honors designation, if applicable, will be based on your current status as of this date.
UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM, all 2013 candidates: March 14, 2013
LAW COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM, all 2013 candidates: April 25, 2013
COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES GRADUATION CEREMONY PROGRAM: Please refer to the College of Professional Studies website for updates.
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Are there other important obligations I should be aware of before Commencement?
Yes, please note the following:
FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS
You must fulfill all financial obligations to the University prior to the release of your diploma. Your current balance, including any balance also owed on a payment plan must be paid in full. If this obligation is not fulfilled until after your degree is conferred, you must contact the Commencement Office at 617.373.4098, for the release of your diploma.
LOAN OBLIGATIONSIf you are a federal loan recipient, you are required to complete Exit Counseling prior to leaving the university. These sessions provide you with important loan documents and informs you of your rights and responsibilities.
All Federal Stafford loan borrowers must complete exit counseling online at www.NSLDS.ed.gov. In addition, if you have received a Federal Perkins, Health Professions, Nursing, Physician Assistant and/or other institutional student loans, you must complete separate exit counseling paperwork through the Office of Student Loan Collections*.
Your commencement tickets and diploma will not be released until the above requirements are complete. If this obligation is not fulfilled until after Commencement, you must contact the Commencement Office at 617.373.4098, for the release of your diploma.
*The Student Loan Collections Office (315 Richards Hall - 617.373.2160) along with the Office of Student Financial Services (354 Richards Hall - 617.373.3190) will be contacting you with further details for completing this process.
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I have completed an exit interview but now my date of graduation has changed. Will it still be valid?
No. If you completed an Exit Interview in a prior semester, but did not graduate, you will need to complete another Exit Interview as the dates of loan repayment will change.
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Who do I contact if I have special needs (i.e. mobility, hearing, etc.) should I choose to participate in the ceremony?
Please email all details to commencement@neu.edu and a representative from the Registrar's Office and/or Commencement Office will contact you with further details.
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How will I receive information regarding Commencement?
As needed, the Office of the Registrar and the Commencement Office will contact you by means of Northeastern University email regarding registration information, important reminders and upcoming deadlines. We advise that you read all correspondence in its entirety and reply accordingly.
All related ceremony information is noted on the Commencement web site at http://www.northeastern.edu/commencement. Please review periodically.
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What do I do if I need an invitation letter from the University so that my family outside of the U.S. may join me at my graduation ceremony?
You may request such a letter from the International Student and Scholar Institute (ISSI) by completing the appropriate form.
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How many guest tickets am I allowed?
Participating and eligible candidates will be provided with tickets as follows:
UNDERGRADUATE degree candidates, TD Garden: 4
GRADUATE degree candidates, Matthews Arena: 3
SCHOOL OF LAW degree candidates, Matthews Arena: 10
COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES, Matthews Arena: TBD - Please refer to the College of Professional Studies website for all information pertaining to the ceremony.
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Are extra guest tickets available if I need them?
We currently do not anticipate that extra tickets will be available. Due to the consistent high attendance rate of both graduates and guests, the limit is set to accommodate all graduates fairly and to ensure that we do not exceed the venue capacity. If graduates are in need of additional tickets, the Commencement Office suggests reaching out to classmates and friends who have additional tickets that will not be used. If extra tickets become available we will notify you via your NU email address and will post details on the commencement website. Please note that ticket allocation is based upon the actual number of students participating in the ceremony, and capacity of the venue. Your graduation from Northeastern University is a major milestone in your life, and we wish that we could issue an unlimited amount of tickets for your loved ones. However, we must accommodate an equal number of guest tickets for all of our students.
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When will I be able to pick up my guest tickets?
Undergraduate Ceremony, Friday, May 3, 2013:
Undergraduate Day Ceremony tickets will be available in 230 Cushing Hall, April 16th through April 19th between 10am and 4pm
Graduate Ceremony, Friday, May 3:
School of Law Ceremony, Friday, May 24:
Ticket information for the 2013 ceremony will be available shortly.
College of Professional Studies ceremonies:
Refer to the College of Professional Studies website for all information pertaining to the ceremony.
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Will invitations be included with the guest tickets?
Printed invitations are not available. However, you may purchase personalized graduation announcements through our partnership with CB Graduation Announcements.
www.CBGRAD.com
1800.433.0296
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When may I pick up my cap and gown/academic regalia?
Academic regalia will be provided to all qualifying candidates according to the following schedule:
UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE CEREMONIES:
Cabot Center/Solomon Court
A photographer will be on-site to take your graduation portrait. Plan accordingly.
SCHOOL OF LAW:
Matthews Arena, prior to the ceremony
COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES GRADUATION CEREMONIES:
Information is available at the College of Professional Studies web site.
What is my tassel/hood color?
LIST OF TASSEL AND HOOD COLORS
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Do I need to pay for my cap and gown?
No, academic regalia (cap, tassel, gown and hood if applicable), is provided at no cost to you and may be kept as a memento of the occasion.
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I don't want to wear a cap and gown, do I have to?
Yes. All participating students must wear the cap and gown provided for them by the University, except military personnel in uniform.
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I am graduating with honors. Will I receive an honor cord?
Honor cords will be given to qualifying undergraduate candidates during cap and gown distribution.
Qualifying undergraduate candidates from the College of Professional Studies will receive an honor cord prior to the ceremony and as you are placed in line for the procession.
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When will I receive my diploma?
Providing all academic and financial obligations are met:
MAY graduates: Diplomas not distributed at the Commencement exercises will be mailed approximately 2 weeks following the conferral date.
JANUARY and AUGUST graduates: Diplomas will be mailed approximately 2 weeks following the conferral date.
COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES: Diplomas not distributed at the Commencement exercises will be mailed approximately 2 weeks following the conferral date.
LAW SCHOOL graduates: Diplomas not distributed at the Commencement exercises will be mailed approximately 2 weeks following the conferral date.
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Will I be able to purchase commencement photos?
Yes, you will be given a few opportunities to "capture the graduation moment" in your official Northeastern academic regalia. A photographer will be available during the cap and gown distribution to take graduate portraits. They will also be available at the ceremony. Proofs, with information on ordering photos, will be mailed to all degree candidates immediately following the ceremony. GradImages will contact all just as soon as their photos are available for online viewing and ordering.
For more details you may contact:
Grad Images
www.gradimages.com
Telephone: 800.261.2576
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When do I have my photo taken for the Yearbook?
Please visit http://www.cauldron.neu.edu/ for all related details concerning the Cauldron Yearbook.
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Are there any special college/school or senior events prior to commencement?
College/school events and senior week activities are updated on the Commencement website as the information becomes available. You may also want to contact your individual college/school for more details.
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When is Commencement and who is eligible to participate?
Please refer to your applicable level via this link.
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Where and what time do I report for Commencement?
UNIVERSITY COMMENCEMENT
Undergraduate degree candidates must report to the TD Garden by 8:00 a.m. using the Legends Way entrance. Signs and commencement staff will direct you accordingly.
Graduate School degree candidates must report to the Gainsborough Garage (intersection of Gainsborough Street and St. Botolph St., adjacent to Matthews Arena) by 2:15 p.m.. Signs and commencement staff will direct you to the appropriate line-up area.
SCHOOL OF LAW COMMENCEMENT
Degree candidates must report to Matthews Arena by 12:15 p.m. using the rear entrance located off of Gainsborough Street.
COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES GRADUATION CEREMONIES
Refer to the College of Professional Studies web site for all information pertaining to the ceremony.
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How long will the ceremony last?
Ceremonies last approximately 2-2 1/4 hours
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Who is the Commencement speaker?
2013 Commencement Speaker
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Is parking available?
TD GARDEN
Visit their web site at http://www.tdbanknorthgarden.com/directions/parking.asp for parking information. A valid HP sticker or hang tag is needed for handicapped parking and these spaces are available on a limited basis. Parking facilities may not be in the near vicinity of the event location. It is advisable that you provide a wheelchair for your guest if he/she has any mobility issues due to health, age, etc.
IMPORTANT: Parking availability in the TD Garden area will be VERY limited. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION OR COMMUTER RAIL SERVICE to travel to the TD Garden.
MATTHEWS ARENA
Parking will be open, per availability and complimentary by showing a ceremony ticket in the following campus areas: Camden Parking Area, Columbus Surface Parking Area, Columbus Parking Garage, and West Village Garage. Parking may also be available in the Renaissance Garage, regular rates apply. These parking areas are a considerable walk from Matthews Arena. If your guest has a mobility issue, it is advisable that you provide a wheelchair and/or drop off your guest with an escort prior to parking.
COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES GRADUATION EXERCISES
Information is available on the College of Professional Studies web site.
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Is special seating or services available for my guest if he/she has mobility issues?
Both the TD Garden and Matthews Arena are handicapped accessible and both have limited seats available to accommodate a wheelchair and one escort. Event staff will direct you accordingly. It is advisable that you provide a wheelchair for your guest if he/she has any mobility issues due to health, age, etc.
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