Program Completion Application Process
Graduation Eligibility
Graduation is when a student successfully completes all of their academic requirements and their degree is conferred. The Registrar's Office handles this academic process. Graduation is not an automatic process – all students must apply for graduation by the application deadlines to ensure that your record is reviewed for degree conferral.
Students eligible to graduate and receive a diploma must:
Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|
| Complete all required and elective course requirements within the declared degree program | Complete all required course requirements within the declared degree program |
| Have an overall GPA of 2.0 and a major GPA of 2.0 and, where applicable, a minor GPA of 2.0; | Have a degree minimum GPA of 2.7 and a major/concentration GPA of 2.7 |
| Clear all financial obligations with the university | Clear all financial obligations with the university |
Deadline to apply for degree completion for Fall 2024
Deadline to apply for degree completion for Spring 2025
Deadline to apply for degree completion for Summer 2025
Semester of Final Course(s) Completion: | Apply for Program Completion by: | Conferral Date |
|---|---|---|
| Summer 2024 | June 7, 2024 | August 25. 2024 |
| Fall 2024 | September 20, 2024 | December 28, 2024 |
| Spring 2025 | February 7, 2025 | May 2025 |
| Summer 2025 | June 13, 2025 | August 2025 |
Degrees are awarded three times a year n conjunction with the meeting of the Board of Trustees. However, there is one ceremony per academic year, in May. All three graduating classes are invited to attend the May ceremony.
- If you complete your final course(s) during the summer semester (including May Intensives), your degree will be awarded in August.
- If you complete your final course(s) during the fall semester, your degree will be awarded in December.
- If you complete your final course(s) during the spring semester your degree will be awarded in May.
Please note: May intensive courses and May study tour courses are part of the summer semester, not spring. Any student completing his/her final course as a May intensive or study tour will be awarded his/her degree at the conclusion of the summer semester (August).
Commencement, University Events & Ceremonies
Commencement Participation Policy
If you are taking your final course(s) during the summer 2025 semester then your degree will be awarded in August 2025. You are invited to attend the 2025 Commencement Ceremony; however, students who will be short of the graduation requirements by six or fewer credits at the end of the spring semester may participate as "participants" in the commencement ceremony as long as they are registered for their final courses during the Summer. In order to participate, you must apply for program completion by February 7th. Please be sure to select the "August 2025" graduation date. This will ensure you are included in all commencement communications.
In order to "participate" in the Commencement Ceremony, the participating candidate must meet all of the following criteria:
Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|
| No more than six credits away from completing your degree requirements as of May 1, 2024. Must be registered for final courses by this date. | No more than six credits away from completing your degree requirements as of May 1, 2025. Must be registered for final courses by this date. |
| Have an overall GPA of 2.0 and a major GPA of 2.0 and, where applicable, a minor GPA of 2.0. | Have a degree GPA of 2.7 or above as well as a major/concentration GPA of 2.7 or above |
| May not be subject to review by the Academic Performance Committee | May not be subject to review by the Academic Performance Committee |
| Have no outstanding student account balance | Have no outstanding student account balance |
| Participants must complete a Commencement Participation Contract with the Office of Academic Services in Jennison Hall, 3rd Floor. |
Graduation Honors
Undergraduate Honors
Bentley awards honors degree recipients who have completed at least 60 hours at Bentley toward a bachelor’s degree. The following standards apply:
Summa Cum Laude: 3.8 or higher
Magna Cum Laude: 3.6 to 3.799
Cum Laude: 3.4 to 3.59
GPA calculations are not rounded.
Graduate Honors
Honors at graduation are awarded to those students receiving degrees who have achieved the following Overall GPA:
High Distinction: 3.80 to 4.0
Distinction: 3.60 to 3.799
Graduation honors are not awarded to certificate candidates. GPA calculations are not rounded.
Diplomas
Spring Graduates - Diplomas will be mailed the end of June to the address you have provided.
Summer Graduates - Diplomas will be mailed out the end of October to the address you have provided.
Fall Graduates - Diplomas will be mailed out the end of February to the address you have provided.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Please contact the Registrar's Office at registrars@bentley.edu if any of your concerns are not addressed below
No. The diploma will only have your degree and major(s)
Yes. If you were admitted to Bentley in Fall 2022 or earlier, your LSM or BSM will appear on your diploma. For example, your diploma will read Bachelor of Science Management and Liberal Studies (the liberal studies concentration is not listed) or Bachelor of Science Data Analytics and Business Studies.
No. The diploma will only have your degree and primary major.
No. The diploma will just read "Master of Business Administration".
The diploma will read "Master of Business Administration". MS+MBA students receive 2 separate diplomas - one MBA (Master of Business Administration) and one MS (Master of Science) and must file separate applications for program completion.
Please review the Graduate School Catalogue.
Please review the Graduate School Catalogue.
It is not recommended as the gown and hood are different. However, please visit contact the Commencement Office.
There are several ways:
When filling out the "Diploma Name" section of the application for program completion questionnaire, you can type your name in a word document with the accent marks and attach the document.OR:
- Fax your request to the Registrar's Office, 781.891.3428
- Email your request to the Registrar's Office, registrars@bentley.edu
No, only one original is produced and valid.