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Graduation Requirements

Candidates must satisfactorily fulfill college and graduation requirements specified for the major in which they are matriculated, including any required foundation courses. Students are also required to attain a minimum degree grade-point average of 2.0 in the major from which they are graduating, as well as a minimum overall grade-point average of 2.0. Student must have also met all financial obligations assessed by the College. Regarding students who have an outstanding financial obligation, the awarding of a degree/certificate will not be withheld, but the financial obligation must be resolved prior to the release of the diploma and/or certificate.  If students plan to receive two associate’s degrees from SUNY Niagara, they must successfully complete the degree requirements for each degree AND complete a minimum of 15 credit hours beyond the requirements of the first degree.  NOTE: Some majors have an additional cumulative GPA requirement.

Academic honors are based on the following curriculum GPA:

3.30 – 3.59 With Merit
3.60 – 3.79 With Distinction
3.80 – 4.00 With High Distinction

Requirements for Receiving More Than One Degree

Students have the option to enroll in a maximum of two curricula at the same time.  Exclusions apply in the following programs that require pre-requisites:  Animal Management, Nursing, Massage Therapy, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, and Surgical Technology.

In order to receive more than one associate degree from SUNY Niagara, a student must do the following:

  • Successfully complete the degree requirements for each degree.
  • Complete a minimum of fifteen (15) credit hours beyond the requirements of the previously earned degree(s).
  • Successfully complete any applicable SUNY general educational requirements required for each degree.

In order to receive an associate degree and a certificate from SUNY Niagara, a student must do the following:

  • Successfully complete the degree requirements for the associate degree program.
  • Successfully complete the certificate requirements for the certificate program.
  • Successfully complete any applicable SUNY general educational requirements required for each degree.
Crossing Stage

How to Apply

In order to receive their degree or certificate, students should notify the Enrollment Center of their intent to graduate by filling out an online graduation application.  The graduation application initiates the process of official validation and should be submitted in the student’s final semester prior to graduation.  Students will be notified of their eligibility to graduate by the Enrollment Center during their anticipated final semester.

Students can complete the online graduation application by following these steps:

  • Log into Banner Web
  • Click on Student Records
  • Select Apply for Graduation
  • If you are currently enrolled in classes, select the current term from the drop-down menu. If you are not enrolled in classes, your last term of attendance will appear in the drop-down to select.
  • Select the major you are applying for. If you are planning to earn more than one degree/certificate in the same semester; you must submit a separate application for each. If you do not see your major listed, please contact the Enrollment Center at 716-614-6250.
  • Select how you would like your name to appear on your diploma
    (Students can opt to have a chosen name printed on their diploma. However, some professional and licensing boards require use of legal name in the licensing process, so use of a chose name may delay or complicate a certification or licensure process. In addition, some countries may require a diploma for various legal, immigration, or employment purposes.)
  • Select Submit Request. You can view your submitted application under the Student Records tab of Banner Web
  • If your mailing address has changed, please update the Personal Information tab of Banner Web. Your diploma will be mailed to your mailing address on file.

I Applied…What’s Next?!

  • Review Degree Works- You can check your Degree Works audit for a status update on your application. You can view the status of your application in the degree block of your worksheet, shown below. A status of “Graduation Application Received” shows that your application has been received for the term you applied but not reviewed.Screenshot of degree works audit
  • Once your application has been reviewed, if you have NOT met graduation requirements, your evaluation will be updated to state “Graduation Application Denied”. You should contact your advisor to discuss the next steps or what you need to complete in order to fulfill graduation requirements.
  • If you HAVE MET graduation requirements, your evaluation will be updated to state “Clear to Graduate Pending Final Review”. After final grades have been posted at the end of the semester, the Enrollment Center will conduct graduation certifications on all pending graduates. Please allow at least one week after final grades are posted to see the updated graduation status in Degree Works.
  • Once all graduates have been reviewed in the certification process:
    • Pending graduates who have NOT met requirements to graduate will be notified through TWolve’s email and a letter mailed to their address on file.
    • Awarded graduates who have successfully completed all requirements will be notified through email and text to claim their digital diplomas. More information on diplomas is provided under the Diplomas section of this page.

 

Auto Conferral

Any student who does not apply for graduation will have his/her degree or certification automatically awarded upon successful completion of graduation requirements.  In the case of students who are pursuing a dual major, automatic conferral of degree will only be processed when the requirements for both degrees/certificates have been fulfilled.  For all students, filing the online graduation application is preferred to automatic conferral, as it confirms the degree or certificate that a student is seeking; once a degree or certificate is conferred, it cannot be revoked.  The graduation application also collects other important information, including the name a student wishes to have displayed on the diploma (which might differ from a student’s legal name), updated address information, and whether a student wishes to participate in commencement.

Students who have completed graduation requirements but do not wish to have a degree automatically conferred must contact the Enrollment Center prior to the end of the semester to prevent the issuance of the degree and/or certificate.

Commencement Ceremony

There is one formal cap/gown graduation ceremony in May. ALL potential graduates from Spring and Summer, in addition to those graduates from the previous Summer, Fall, and Winter semesters, are given the opportunity to attend this ceremony typically held on the third Saturday in May.

Diplomas/certificates are NOT issued on stage at the May ceremony as graduation evaluations take place after commencement. Therefore, all potential Spring and Summer graduates are allowed to cross the stage in May.  All students receive a blank diploma cover and tassel. Students who do not attend the ceremony but desire a diploma cover may pick this up in the Public Relations and Event Management Office (A-201).

For more information, view SUNY Niagara Commencement Ceremony Participation Protocol and information on SUNY Niagara’s Commencement Ceremony.

Diplomas

Effective Spring 2022, SUNY Niagara is teaming with Parchment to offer an official digital version of your diploma. It’s fast, free, and sharable. Celebrate your accomplishment with those who supported you along the way — your family, friends, and colleagues. Share with potential employers to kick-start the next step in your journey or career. The digital diploma does not replace the paper diploma.  A paper diploma will be mailed to the graduate’s address on file approximately 3 weeks after the digital diplomas are issued.

How to Get Your Digital Diploma

Graduates will receive an email and text notification with instructions for electronically claiming their diploma. To ensure your paper diploma is mailed to the correct address, please review your address on file under the Personal Information tab in Banner Web.

Follow these simple steps:

  • Check your school email and text messages for the award notification.
  • Follow the link to set up your Parchment digital credentials account.
  • Share your digital diploma on Facebook and LinkedIn or download a secure .pdf version.

Your digital diploma will always be accessible through your Parchment account. You can login and download or share it again and again — at no cost to you.

What You Can Do with It

Share your Achievements

  • Easily share your digital diploma with employers with a secure and verified link
  • Share with family and friends on Facebook and LinkedIn.  Be sure to use #SUNYNiagara when sharing your accomplishment!

View or Download

  • View your digital diploma online at any time with permanent access
  • Download your digital diploma and save as a PDF

Serve as an Alternative to the Apostille

  • Many countries recognize digital diplomas. Parchment Award diplomas are supporting the needs of international credentials.

Replacement Diplomas

Any alumni in need of a replacement diploma will need to place an order through Parchment. A fee of $25 per replacement diploma will be charged. You will receive a paper diploma mailed to the address provided in the order as well as a digital copy of your diploma to your email address.

Order Replacement Diploma

Questions about diplomas?  Email records@niagaracc.suny.edu

Questions about the digital diploma once you have received it?  Email congratulations@parchment.com

Contact

Advisement Questions: 716-614-6290 | studentsuccess@niagaracc.suny.edu | D-102

Records Questions: 716-614-6250 | records@niagaracc.suny.edu | A-105
Transferring Credits into SUNY Niagara and Transfer Credit Evaluation Questions:  716-614-6250 | transfer@niagaracc.suny.edu

 

Fax: 716-614-6820
Location: A-105 Notar Admin Bldg.
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm
Evening hours are available daily from 4:00 – 5:oopm via ZOOM appointment only; please email a request to records@niagaracc.suny.edu.