Graduation and Degree Conferral

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

Conferral, also known as degree completion, is evaluated on a rolling basis and once completion is certified, the completion date will be recorded on the student record. Typically, this is at the end of every full semester.

Diplomas are distributed three times per year (see also Diploma Distribution). When coursework is taken off-campus, ensure transient course approval has been granted, 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 on the required outstanding coursework and diploma distribution, please contact the Office of the Registrar. The degree award date is posted using the last day of the semester. No degree shall be conferred, or diploma awarded, until the Registrar's Office verifies all degree requirements are met.

The Registrar, in conjunction with the President and the approval of the Board of Trustees, awards degrees. 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

The student will submit a Graduation Application to the Registrar's Office. The May and Summer Semester graduation application is due October 1 and for Fall Semester the graduation application is due March 1. A student with an expected graduation date for December, May, or August (or other summer session) and who missed the deadline for submitting a Graduation Application may have a registration hold placed on their registration record.

There is no fee for the graduation application, participation or diploma for campus-based programs. The College of Graduate and Continuing Studies graduation fee is $150.00.

Degree Audit

An active student has access to a 24/7 degree audit via BannerWeb to review requirements. The audit is refreshed every morning to capture course adjustments. A student is expected to review requirements as well as remaining credit hours required for the degree 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 chair/program manager to discuss remaining requirements.

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 will have the graduation application denied. Throughout the active graduation application period, a periodic audit may be performed and when a student who is not considered to be on-track will have the application revoked. At which time, the student will submit a new application by the deadline for the anticipated completion.

An on-track notice simply means the assessment of the audit indicates the student will complete requirements by the projected completion date. A student may adjust their schedule or not successfully complete a course requirement thereby changing the original assessment.

Diploma

The Diploma is printed with the degree, major, and, when applicable, Latin Honor and/or Honors Program. 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.

Diploma Distribution

The diploma is mailed approximately 4-10 weeks following the end of the semester. Diplomas are mailed three times per year for undergraduate programs and on-campus graduate programs at the end of fall, spring and summer semesters. The College of Graduate and Continuing Studies graduate programs will distribute as the undergraduate calendar with one additional release at the end of Residency. A diploma is not released when a student is in debt to the University.

Digital Diploma

A complementary Digital Diploma is available to current graduates. Through a partnership with Parchment, the Digital Diploma is a certifiable document that can be shared or downloaded for third-parties. This includes the Apostille and several graduate-level program boards and licensing boards. A unique link via the student’s personal email address will be sent approximately one-to-two weeks following confirmation of degree to claim the Digital Diploma. A Digital Diploma is not released when a student is in debt to the University. Order at Parchment.

Replacement Diploma

December 2021, a complementary Digital Diploma is available to current graduates. Through a partnership with Parchment, the Digital Diploma is a certifiable document that can be shared or downloaded for third-parties. This includes the Apostille and several graduate-level program boards and licensing boards. A unique link via the student’s personal email address will be sent approximately one-to-two weeks following confirmation of degree to claim the Digital Diploma. A Digital Diploma is not released when a student is in debt to the University. Order at Parchment.

Replacement Print Diploma

A printed replacement diploma, with current authorized signatures, is mailed in alignment with the diploma distribution cycle to include the current authorized signatures. The issuance of a replacement print diploma is the size of the diploma in circulation, which includes current authorized signatures. 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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 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 so long as they are within two courses of meeting graduation requirements and applies to graduate by the deadline, others by academic petition. 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.

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.

Academic Transcript

A transcript is the official certifying document for a degree credential. A student can order a transcript at any time but is encouraged to mark the order “hold for degree” to ensure the transcript is not issued before the degree statement is posted to the student record. A transcript is not released when there is a debt to the University.

Resources

Office of the Registrar Contact Information

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - transfer course taken after Norwich matriculation
Commencement Website
Registrar SharePoint Site - Norwich SSO access only

Links to Graduation Application

Links to Transient Course Permission

Additional Resources

Graduation Preparation Timeline and Checklist

Early-September

Meet with advisor to review remaining requirements and ensure on track to graduate by target date.

October 1

Graduation application deadline for all candidates graduating May or August (campus-based programs) Contact advisor, watch announcements (CGCS programs)

Mid-October

Registrar’s Office reviews applicant’s degree audit

November

December graduates, request final transcripts, if desired, mark hold for degree

December

December graduates: complete loan exit requirements for Loans, https://studentaid.gov/exit-counseling/

Early February

Diplomas sent to December graduates and replacement diploma orders

March

Graduation application deadline for all candidates graduating December (campus-based programs) Contact advisor, watch announcements (CGCS programs)

April

May graduates, request final transcripts, if desired, mark hold for degree

May graduates: complete loan exit requirements for Loans, https://studentaid.gov/exit-counseling/

Mid-April