Graduation Checklist

Overview

Here are the required steps for graduating from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as a undergraduate or graduate student.

Procedures

Undergraduate Students

1. Check graduation deadlines on the Academic Calendar
2. You must be registered in course(s) for the semester you intend to graduate
3. If you plan to transfer coursework from another college in the final semester, submit a Transfer Credit Approval Form. The course(s) needs to be completed, according to that school's information(calendar), before our graduation date
4. Resolve any Incomplete (I) or missing grades (your instructor must submit final grades to the Office of the Registrar at the latest a week before graduation)
5. Verify that you met all Institute and Departmental Degree requirements (consult the Academic Catalog, Degree Works, and Departmental Degree Clearance Officer)
6. Apply for graduation on Student Information System (SIS) and confirm the following: 
   1. Verify your major and minor is listed correctly
   2. Confirm name to be printed on the diploma or certificate
   3. Update local address to where diploma is to be mailed
   4. Add a non RPI email address so we can send you the diploma order confirmation
7. Clear up any holds on your SIS account
   1. If you have Federal Perkins or Rensselaer Institutional Student Loans you will receive an email from the Student Loan Office to complete an Exit Interview
8. Check Degree Works to track progress
9. If taking a course through the Hudson Mohawk Consortia, you must request from that school an official transcript with your final grade and send to the Office of the Registrar via [e-mail] 
10. For transfer coursework from another college in the final semester submit all external official transcripts prior to graduation via [e-mail]

Graduate Students

1. Check graduation and Office of Graduate Education deadlines on the Academic Calendar
2. You must be registered in course(s) for the semester you intend to graduate
3. Verify that you met all Institute and Departmental Degree requirements (consult the Academic Catalog, Plan of Study, and Departmental Degree Clearance Officer)
4. Apply for graduation on Student Information System (SIS)
   1. Verify your program/degree is listed correctly
   2. Confirm name to be printed on the diploma
   3. Update local address to where diploma is to be mailed
   4. Add a non RPI email address so we can send you the diploma order confirmation
5. Clear up any holds on your SIS account
6. Students pursuing Doctoral degree, make sure to submit your dissertation and any required supporting documentation to Office of Graduate Education
7. Students pursuing Master’s degree with Thesis, make sure to submit your thesis and any required supporting documentation to Office of Graduate Education
8. Complete the Center for Communication and Professional Development's Future Plans Survey

Links

Academic Calendar

Academic Catalog

Degree Works

Departmental Degree Clearance Officer

Future Plans Survey

Student Information System (SIS)

Transfer Credit Approval Form

Last Reviewed: 25-Oct-2024