Graduation

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Path 2 Success 

Attend one of our virtual workshops to learn more about next steps for graduation.

• Spring 2026 Graduation Workshop Schedule:
  • March 4th
  • March 25th
  • April 8th
  • April 22nd
  • April 29th

In order to graduate from the Newark College of Arts and Sciences or University College - Newark all students must complete the following requirements:

• Complete a minimum of 120-degree credits
• Complete the Core Curriculum (minimum of a "C" in Basic Writing and Quantitative Reasoning)
• Declare and complete a Major (with the academic department)
  • Minimum of half of the degree credits for a major must be completed at RU-N
• Declare and complete a Second Concentration
  • Minimum of half of the degree credits for the second concentration must be completed at RU-N
• Successfully earn a minimum of a "C" in all Major and Second Concentration courses
• Complete two Writing Intensive Courses with a minimum of a "C"
• Successfully obtain a minimum cumulative grade-point average of a 2.0 or better. (Major departments may require a higher GPA)

Graduation Occurs 3x Per Year

• January: For students who have completed all degree requirements by the end of FALL term
  • Application deadline for January graduation is October 15th. For January graduates, diplomas will be mailed around mid-March.
• May: For students who have completed all degrees requirements by end of the SPRING term
  • Application deadline for May graduation is February 15th. For May graduates, diplomas will be mailed around mid-July.
• August: For students who have completed all degree requirements by end of the SUMMER term
  • Application deadline for August graduation is July 30th. For August graduates, diplomas will be mailed around mid-December.

For more detailed information on diplomas, please click here!

[Only ONE Commencement Ceremony is held annually in May for ALL graduates] 

All students who are planning to graduate must complete the GradTracker Graduation Application according to the deadlines above.  If an application is not submitted, your academic record will NOT be reviewed by your Major/Minor Department for graduation, nor by the Office of Academic Services for certification of the General Education/Core and total degree requirements.

Please note that it is the responsibility of each student to make certain that all of the graduation requirements of the college have been fully met well before each graduation date.

Important Notices:

• Enrolling in a study abroad program in your senior year may result in a delay with your graduation certification and possible graduation date.  For more information, please consult your Academic Advisor in the Office of Academic Services.
• All grades must be finalized at the time of graduation certification.  Any missing, incomplete, or temporary grades will result in the graduation application being denied and moved to a future graduation date.  

Earning a bachelor’s degree with honors is a tremendous accomplishment! Students who earn this distinction will be given an honor cord(s) or medallion to wear to commencement. Honor cords/Medallions will be distributed during Name Card pick-up. The honors designation will also be noted on your final transcript and degree. Honors will be awarded to graduates who have a cumulative Grade Point Average as follows:

Honors at Commencement

Honor status will be displayed on the main screen as your name is called during the Commencement Ceremony and listed in the Commencement program. For May candidates: This will be based on your current completed GPA – not including spring grades. After the Commencement Ceremony your GPA will be recalculated with your spring grades and if you qualify for honors it will be noted on your final transcript and diploma.