Commencement Participation

Commencement is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of students who have successfully completed all the requirements necessary for their degrees. Students who have completed all degree requirements are considered eligible to walk at Commencement. Manhattanville's commencement ceremonies are held annually in May immediately following the conclusion of the spring semester. Students that walk in the May ceremony are typically those who earned degrees in the preceding January degree conferral period, those who will have degrees conferred in May, and those who intend to complete their degrees in the immediately following summer term. 

Permission to Walk

Students who have not completed all the requirements necessary for their degree may, under the criteria outlined within this policy, be granted permission to “walk” in Commencement exercises. Walking in Manhattanville’s Commencement exercises does not indicate degree completion nor does it indicate that a degree will be awarded in the future. Only when all requirements are completed will a student's degree be awarded.

Undergraduate and Graduate students who have not yet completed all degree requirements may walk in Commencement exercises if they are expected to complete their degree requirements during the summer term immediately following the May commencement ceremony.

An exception is that Education students with student teaching credits left to complete will not be allowed to walk in the University's Commencement ceremony.

Additionally, Doctoral students who have defended their dissertations prior to the University commencement exercises in May are eligible to walk at the ceremony, but those who will defend in the summer are invited to walk in the following year's ceremony.

International Students

In addition to the exceptions referenced above, an exception may also be made for international students seeking to attend an earlier ceremony due to compelling circumstances necessitating their return to their international residence. The case must be submitted in writing and will be presented to the Provost for review. The student must provide supporting documentation along with the approval of the Office of International Student Services. Moreover, such students must already be enrolled in their final course requirements.

Diploma Distribution

Diplomas are ordered for students who have completed all degree requirements and have had degrees conferred. Diplomas are available approximately 3-4 weeks after degrees are conferred. The Registrar's Office will contact students at that time, via Manhattanville email and secondary email, with additional information such as: diploma mailing information, diploma pick up information, third-party pick-up, and international mailing.