By Amanda Lagoe, assistant registrar

It’s that time of year again! With the spring semester behind us, many SUNY Empire students have completed their degrees and have accomplished that final step: graduation. As we look to the summer and fall semesters, many students are also looking forward to their upcoming degree completion. At SUNY Empire, graduation consists of two processes: commencement (the ceremony) and awarding your degree. The Office of the Registrar receives inquiries regarding all aspects of graduation, so we’ve answered some of the most common questions below.  

  

How do I apply for graduation? 

You should apply for graduation once you have registered for your final term of coursework. Students in the School for Undergraduate Studies must have a concurred degree program before submitting their application for graduation. You can access the application for graduation by going to the MyESC portal, clicking the Self-Service Banner icon, selecting the Student tab, and clicking on the Graduation Application icon.  

  

When will my degree be awarded? 

The degree award process begins once you have completed all academic requirements and final grades are on your record, and it can take up to four weeks during peak processing times. Once your degree is awarded, the Office of the Registrar will email your SUNY Empire email address to let you know the good news. Your degree will show on your official and unofficial transcripts.  

  

Can I attend commencement if my degree has not been awarded? 

Yes! See the commencement website for information about eligibility and participation.  

  

When will I know if I’ve earned Latin honors? 

Students receiving a bachelor’s degree may qualify for Latin honors. To view the specific qualifications, see the Latin honors policy. Latin honors are applied to your record once your degree has been awarded and will appear on your diploma and transcripts. 

  

When will I receive my diploma? 

You can expect to receive your diploma by mail approximately three weeks from the day the college awarded your degree. However, students with financial obligations to the college will not receive their diploma until Student Accounts has cleared the hold.  

  

What will my diploma look like? 

SUNY Empire diplomas measure 8.5 x 11 inches and are mailed in a 10 x 13-inch envelope. Your diploma will display your name, degree, award date, and Latin honors, if applicable. The area of study and concentration or major will not show on your diploma; however, they are located on your official transcript. 

 

What if I need proof of my degree? 

You will need to order an official transcript to show that your degree has been awarded. Remember to select “hold for degree award date” when ordering your transcript if your degree is still pending. This option will ensure that your transcript shows your awarded degree when your request is processed. If you do not select this option, your transcript will be sent with your degree still showing as in progress. You can find more information about transcripts and how to order them here.  

If you have a question that was not addressed, contact us at RegistrarsOffice@esc.edu.  
Congratulations to all our graduates!