Graduation, Degree Conferral and Credential

Graduation, Degree Conferral and Credential

Graduation is the completion of required credential requirements as recorded on the official academic transcript. Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates the completion of a degree credential. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not imply that a student has officially graduated. The printed diploma or certificate is a commemoration of achievement. Official certification of the degree is the official transcript, the Digital Diploma, or through the certification service of the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC).

Conferral, also known as degree or credential completion, occurs on a rolling basis. The completion date listed on the student record is the date on which the Registrar’s Office certified completion. Typically, this is at the end of each full semester.

When coursework is taken off-campus, ensure a transient course permission form (requires a non-Norwich account or for active students, see Registrar's SharePoint site) is approved. Off-campus coursework completion deadlines are August 25, December 22, and the last day of the semester prior to commencement exercises and requires a final official transcript issued by the institution. For further information about required outstanding requirements, please contact the Office of the Registrar. No credential shall be conferred, or awarded, until the Registrar's Office verifies all requirements are met.

The Registrar, in conjunction with the President and the approval of the Board of Trustees, awards credentials. An act deemed by the University as egregious can result in the act of revoking a conferred degree or the conferral of a degree.

Graduation Application

A Graduation Application is required for each credential, i.e., certificate and/or degree and major sought. An application for program completion during the spring or summer term is due October 1, and the fall or winter term is due March 1. At the time of each credential application, a graduation fee will be assessed. A candidate with an active application who communicates with the Registrar's Office they must defer to a future end term, will have the application carried forward for no more than one semester or term. Thereafter, the application will become inactive requiring a new application and fee assessment.

Degree Audit

An active student has 24/7 access to a degree audit via BannerWeb. The audit is refreshed each morning to capture course adjustments. A student is expected to review requirements as well as remaining credit hours required for their program of study each semester. Assistance to understand the audit is directed to the advisor. Questions regarding challenges or clarification are directed to the Office of the Registrar. An inactive student no longer has access to BannerWeb and must work with the advisor or department program director/chair.

The Office of the Registrar will conduct an audit in the semester of the graduation application deadline and provide a notice of progress based on the projected completion date. A student who cannot meet the projected completion date must request an application deferral. While an application is active, a periodic audit may be performed. When a student is not on track, the Office of the Registrar may independently update the end term. A degree audit noted as on-track indicates the student is projected to complete requirements by the desired completion date at the time of communication.

Credential

A diploma is printed with the degree, major, and, when applicable, Latin Honor and/or Honors Program. A certificate includes the certificate's program name. The printed student name is taken from the Graduation Application. Most often, this is the student's legal name; however, an alternate name may be given. The University reserves the right to deny a non-legal name. For an eligible student, the Military College of Vermont (MCV) designation will be included on the diploma. All credentials are printed as 8.5" x 11" landscaped.

Credential Distribution

A credential is mailed approximately 4-10 weeks following the end of the semester. Credentials are mailed at the end of each semester. A credential is not released when a student is in debt to the University.

Digital Credential

A complementary Digital Diploma is available to current graduates. Through a partnership with Parchment, the Digital Diploma is a certifiable document to download for third parties. This includes the Apostille and eligible graduate-level program boards and licensing boards. A unique link via the student's personal email address to claim the digital diploma approximately two weeks following confirmation of degree. A student in debt to the University is not eligible to receive the Digital Diploma. The student will receive the Digital Diploma upon debt reconciliation; do not place an order.

Beginning December 2021, the Digital Diploma became available to graduates. A student who graduated prior to December 2021, may order a digital credential at a cost of $20.00.  Order at Parchment. Or place a replacement print order which will include a digital credential. 

Replacement Print Credential

A printed replacement credential, with current authorized signatures, is mailed in alignment with the credential distribution cycle to include the current authorized signatures. The issuance of a replacement print credential is the size of the paper in circulation, which includes current authorized signatures. All credentials are printed as 8.5" x 11" landscaped. A replacement diploma charge is $50.00. A student in debt to the University will not be issued a print Diploma until rectified. Order at Parchment.

Apostille or Notarized Replacement Print Diploma

If alumni wish to order a*notarized or apostilled replacement print diploma credential from Norwich University, such requests must be communicated directly with the Office of the Registrar at Registrar@norwich.edu prior to submitting a replacement diploma order through Parchment. A digital and print diploma credential is an official credential that is issued, authenticated, and authorized directly from Norwich University. Parchment is the gateway for alumni to receive an official diploma credential. The process for alumni to receive a print diploma and additional documentation or apostille instructions can take up to 8-10 weeks.

*Alumni may seek their own notary; however, it is the responsibility of Alumni to contact Norwich University directly PRIOR to submitting a replacement diploma order via Parchment. Please note that Alumni seeking an apostilled diploma may share their digital diploma in lieu of apostille as a digital diploma credential reflects the official issuance by a college/university, the verification of authenticity through Parchment, including the date issued and the individual the diploma was awarded.

Commencement Participation

There is one commencement ceremony at the conclusion of the 16-week Spring Semester. A student who completes a degree during the current academic year's fall term through the following August is eligible. A student who plans to complete their degree during the summer term is permitted to participate with an active application to graduate by the deadline and cleared by the Office of the Registrar. Participation may be revoked when the student has pending disciplinary action to be cleared by the Provost, and when applicable, in conjunction with the Vice President for Student Affairs. Participating graduate candidates are encouraged to check the Commencement website often. Questions once the current Commencement details are posted may be directed to provost@norwich.edu.

Latin Honors

Latin Honors are calculated using only Norwich University credits (there are no honors for Graduate students). The diploma and transcript will include the Latin Honor calculated at the time of degree completion. During commencement, noted Latin Honors are from the previously enrolled semester.

Academic Transcript

A transcript is the official certifying document for a degree credential; posted to the student record approximately two weeks following the grade due date. A student may order a transcript no sooner than their last term of enrollment but must mark the order "hold for degree" to ensure the transcript is not issued before the posted degree statement. A student in debt to the University may have their transcript withheld.