It is the student’s responsibility to complete the curriculum prescribed in the University catalog in effect, or as modified, when they matriculated. Students who will be completing their curriculum requirements for degrees, teacher certification or post-baccalaureate certificates must complete the Application to Graduate through their NEST account in order to be evaluated for completion of requirements and subsequently become eligible for degree conferment, certificate or recommendation for teacher certification.
Please Note: Once a student has applied to graduate, they are not eligible to register for continued coursework unless they have been accepted to the Graduate School, or applied as a second BA or visiting student. Any extraneous coursework will be administratively dropped by the Office of the Registrar.
Graduation Application Deadlines
To be certified by the Registrar’s Office, you must apply to graduation within the below timeframes. The following deadlines are for your application to graduate upon completing your degree program requirements:
- Apply between May 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024 for Winter 2025 graduation.
- Deadline: September 30, 2024
- Apply between October 25, 2024 – March 14, 2025 for May 2025 graduation.
- Deadline: March 14, 2025
- Apply between April 1, 2025 – August 15, 2025 for August 2025 graduation.
- Deadline: August 15, 2025
- Apply between April 1, 2025 – October 15, 2025 for Winter 2026 graduation.
- Deadline: October 15, 2025
Graduation is the certified completion of your undergraduate degree or graduate program requirements. It is not a ceremony. When you apply for graduation you are not registering for any ceremony.
Important Notes
- You will receive an email at your Montclair State University email address prior to your final term. This email will direct you to review the “Notes” and the “Saved” audit to be found in your Degree Works audit available through NEST.
- If you will not complete your current academic program requirements and need to refile for a subsequent term, please email registrar@storesoo.com. You will be notified when you can file for the next term.
- A one-time non-refundable $95.00 University fee will be assessed to degree candidates for administrative costs related to your diploma.
- For the Addition of Special Characters on your diploma please use the Graduation Accent Form.
New Jersey Department of Education Certification
Baccalaureate and master’s degree candidates, as well as post-baccalaureate certification candidates, who have applied for graduation and met all degree/certification requirements, will be nominated for the appropriate NJ DOE credential(s). Certification fees range from $95.00 to $190.00 per certificate and are paid directly to the NJ DOE. Nominations begin after degrees are conferred. It is the students’ responsibility to accept the nomination via NJEdCert. More information is available on the NJ Teacher Education website.
Graduate with Honors
School of Nursing students who have completed a minimum of 32 undergraduate credits at Montclair State by the end of the semester prior to their commencement are recognized for graduation honors.
Grades of “A” through “D-” must be received for a minimum of 48 of these 51 credits.
- Cumulative GPA of 3.700 – 3.799 cum laude
- Cumulative GPA of 3.800 – 3.899 magna cum laude
- Cumulative GPA of 3.900 – 4.000 summa cum laude
Graduation vs Commencement
Graduation and Commencement are frequently confused terms.
- Graduation: To graduate, a student must complete all undergraduate degree or graduate program requirements, apply for graduation through NEST and be certified by the Registrar’s Office for graduation. A student can complete all requirements and graduate in August, January or May.
- Commencement: Commencement is the symbolic ceremony that marks the closing of a your academic career where you receive commendation for your graduation. It is an opportunity for you, your family, friends and the Montclair State University community to celebrate your achievement.
Commencement Exercises are held each year for students. In order to participate in Commencement, a student must be certified by the Registrar’s Office as a graduate of their undergraduate degree or graduate program.
Please visit the University’s Commencement website for information related to upcoming undergraduate and graduation commencement ceremonies.
Diploma/University Certificate
Available approximately four weeks after the date of conferment for those student who have completed all program requirements.
Diplomas and University Certificates will be mailed directly from the diploma company to the address provided on the graduation application, to those students who have no outstanding financial obligations. You may track your Diploma/University Certificate order at DiploMatic. Covers for diplomas are given out at Commencement. Diploma covers will also be available at Red Hawk Central.
Transcripts With Program Completion Information
Students should not make this request until their Graduation Application Status reads “Awarded” on DegreeWorks:
Please plan in advance when a transcript is needed. Standard processing time for a paper copy of the academic transcript is 7–10 business days.
Before their degree is posted, students can request a Statement of Completion of Degree/Certification/University Certificate Requirements to show for employment, examination, or graduate school purposes other than Montclair State University.