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Graduation & Diplomas

 

Application Deadlines
Degree applications occur for each graduation term. Students hoping to graduate in a given term should apply in that given application period. The "Apply to Graduate" button in the student portal will only be available during the application period. Please note GSAS students who would like to Apply for a Master's in Passing must first add the Master's in Passing in the student portal and then submit the degree application as it is a two-step process.

Application Periods for 2021-2022 Academic Year

2021-2022 Degree Application Periods

Pick-up and Mailing
Until the Registrar's staff returns to campus, diplomas will be mailed after conferral.  For more information please visit https://registrar.fas.harvard.edu/diploma-name-and-mailing-information

Replacement Diplomas

In the event that a diploma is lost, stolen, damaged, or you’ve had a name change, a request for a replacement can be made to replacement@fas.harvard.edu. Please attach a signed cover letter explaining the reason for the replacement request.

Lost or Stolen- If the diploma was lost or stolen, we require some type of proof, be it an insurance claim or notarized statement stating the facts.

Damaged- If destroyed or significantly damaged, the original diploma must be returned with the request for a replacement diploma. Once you have placed the damaged diploma in the mail kindly provide us with the tracking information and we can proceed with your request. If destroyed in a fire or any other catastrophic event, you must submit a police or insurance report.

Name Change- If you are requesting a replacement due to a name change, notarized proof of legal name change documentation that lists your old name and new name must be submitted. The original diploma must be returned with the request for replacement diploma.

The cost for a replacement diploma is $150.00, and the process may take four to six weeks from the time your order is received. The new diploma will bear a statement in the lower margin by the Secretary to the Corporation certifying that the diploma is, in substance, a copy of the original. The names of the officials in office at the time that the original diploma was printed will appear on the diploma without the signatures.

*Replacement Diplomas are not issued to Family members of Alumni.

Commencement
Please refer to the Commencement Office for updates regarding commencment.

Graduation Rates:
You can access the Graduation Rates Reports pdf file.

GSAS 2021-2022 Degree Deadlines

Degree Application:

Students who wish to obtain a degree must formally apply.  The degree application is available through your "My Program" on my.Harvard.edu. Detailed instructions on how to apply can be found in the Knowledge Center.

In unusual circumstances late applications may be accepted for the one week past the deadline only; a late fee of $50 will be applied to the student term bill.

If a student applies but does not receive the degree, a new application must to be submitted for a future degree conferral date.

In order for the degree to be granted, the Department must register an official Recommendation in the my.harvard Graduation Tracker. Instructions on how to navigate the Graduation Tracker can be found here.

Tuition Requirements for Graduating PhD students:

All PhD students must register continuously until completion of the requirements for the degree.  PhD candidates must have paid two years of Full tuition and two years of Reduced tuition before receipt of the degree, unless they have completed the PhD in less than four years from initial registration.  All PhD candidates must pay the Facilities Fee in their last term of registration (unless a higher tuition has been paid). This final charge is billed after a student applies for the degree; unless the student has already paid the Facilities fee for the term. Please visit GSAS Policies for more information.

For students receiving degrees in November, the last term of registration is the previous spring term. For degrees in March the last term is the previous fall. For degrees in May the last term is the spring term (except May degree candidates filing dissertations by specific date who do not register or pay tuition for the spring term). Students who are uncertain whether they will finish in time for degrees in November or March are encouraged to register for the fall or spring terms respectively, either in residence or on leave of absence, to avoid late registration fees if they miss the degree deadlines. Should they finish in time, their registration for the term will be cancelled. Student health insurance expires on the last day of coverage for the last term of enrollment. Please visit HUHS for more information. 

Harvard College 2021-2022 Degree Deadlines

Undergraduate students in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences planning to graduate in one of the three official degree periods (November, March, or May) must submit a degree application confirming their intent to complete the A.B. or S.B. degree in a specific degree period. The degree application is available through your "My Program" page on my.harvard.edu. Detailed instructions on how to apply can be found in the Knowledge Center. The application must be submitted by the deadline designated in the Academic Calendar section of the current year Handbook for Students for the period during which the degree is expected to be completed.

Questions regarding the House ceremony on Commencement Day should be referred to your Allston Burr Resident Dean. Please refer to the student handbook for honors information.

The following grade point average thresholds were established by the Faculty for awarding degrees summa cum laude, magna cum laude and cum laude in field for the May 2021 degree period:

summa cum laude in field -- 3.97

magna cum laude in field -- 3.898

cum laude in field -- 3.736

cum laude -- 3.898

Questions about qualifying for honors degrees should be directed to your concentration or resident dean.