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Graduation Requirements

For your degree/certificate to be reviewed for graduation you must complete a graduation application. If you wish to attend the Commencement ceremony, you must APPLY to graduate using the link below.

Commencement Female

Apply to Graduate

Graduation Application Form

Graduation Information

Before submitting your application, make sure all transfer credits, course substitutions, and other academic record updates have been processed and posted to your student record. We also recommend meeting with your assigned Academic Advisor and reviewing your degree audit through MyMap in Bay Navigator to confirm that you are on track to meet all graduation requirements.
Advising Office
Bay Navigator via OneLogin
To have your degree or certificate reviewed for graduation, you must submit a Graduation Application for the Fall (December), Spring (May), or Summer (August) semester. Students who wish to participate in the annual Commencement ceremony must also submit a graduation application.
Students may apply to graduate from more than one degree or certificate program, provided they are actively enrolled in each program during the semester in which they are applying for graduation.
After you submit your application, the Office of the Registrar will review your academic record and notify you of your graduation status through your MassBay email account.
Graduation Application Form
To be eligible for graduation, students must meet all academic and program requirements for their degree or certificate.
 
To qualify for graduation, students must:
  • Submit a Graduation Application by the published deadline.
  • Complete all requirements for their degree and/or certificate program.
  • Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000.
  • Complete at least 25% of their coursework at MassBay.
  • Satisfy all program-specific requirements outlined in their program of study.
Important Information
  • All incomplete grades must be resolved before a degree or certificate can be awarded, regardless of whether the course applies to your program requirements.
  • The College reserves the right to award degrees and certificates once all graduation requirements have been met.
  • Graduation applications submitted after the published deadline will be reviewed for the following graduation term.
Graduation applications must be submitted by the published deadline for the semester in which you plan to graduate. Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed for the next graduation term.
 
Fall 2026 Graduation Application Deadlines
Early Review Application Submission: November 1, 2026
Final Deadline to Submit Application: December 23, 2026
 
Spring 2027 Graduation Application Deadlines
Early Review Application Submission: March 31, 2027
Final Deadline to Submit Application: May 16, 2027
2027 Commencement Ceremony: May 27, 2027
Academic Calendar
After the official degree conferral date, the Office of the Registrar will complete a final review of all graduation applications to ensure that all graduation requirements have been met. Due to the volume of applications, this review process may take 4-6 weeks. Students will be notified of their final graduation status through their MassBay email account.
Once a degree or certificate has been officially awarded and the final review process has been completed, diplomas are ordered and mailed through our diploma vendor via USPS.

Degree Awarding & Diploma Timeline

Spring (May)
Degree Awarded: 4–6 weeks after semester completion 
Diplomas Typically Mailed: Between July and August
 
Summer (August)
Degree Awarded: 4–6 weeks after semester completion 
Diplomas Typically Mailed: Between October and November
 
Fall (December)
Degree Awarded: 4–6 weeks after semester completion 
Diplomas Typically Mailed: Between March and April
 
Important Information
  • Diploma mailing dates are approximate and may vary based on processing and mail delivery times.
  • Students with a financial hold on their account will not have their diploma released or mailed.
  • Once a financial hold has been resolved, students should contact the Office of the Registrar to request the release of their diploma.
MassBay recognizes academic excellence by awarding honors to associate degree candidates based on their cumulative grade point average (GPA).
  • Highest Honors: Awarded to students who graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.700 or higher.
  • High Honors: Awarded to students who graduate with a cumulative GPA between 3.500 and 3.699.
Honors are determined based on a student's final cumulative GPA at the time their degree is awarded.
Graduation is the official awarding of your degree or certificate after all program requirements have been completed and approved. Students may graduate at the end of the Fall (December), Spring (May), or Summer (August) semester.
 
Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates student achievements. MassBay holds one Commencement ceremony each year in May. To find the exact date of the ceremony, please refer to the Spring Academic Calendar.
 
Important Information
  • Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor during their final semester to confirm that all graduation requirements have been met.
  • Participation in Commencement does not guarantee that a degree or certificate will be awarded. All students must successfully complete a final degree review conducted by the Office of the Registrar.
  • Students with three or fewer courses remaining to complete during the Summer semester may be eligible to participate in the May Commencement ceremony. To be considered, students must:
    • Enroll in the required Summer courses.
    • Submit a Summer (August) Graduation Application by the last day of Spring Day/Evening Final Exams.
For additional information about Commencement, including caps and gowns, tickets, and ceremony details, please visit the MassBay Commencement Webpage.
MassBay Commencement Webpage
Academic Calendar
We're here to help with graduation applications, degree awarding and diploma status.
Email Us: graduationsstatus@massbay.edu