Graduation

A student at East Stroudsburg University must earn a minimum grade point average of 2.00 in order to graduate (individual departments may, however, stipulate higher graduation requirements), complete the general education requirements and competencies requirements. A student's graduation application initiates his/her graduation clearance process. As designated by the Registrar, the Graduation Services team begins working with the student's department and college to review and finalize the degree requirements. 

Priority processing deadline dates for applying for graduation are September 20 for Fall 2021 and Winter 2021 degree conferral, February 7 for Spring 2022 degree conferral and Summer 2022 degree conferral. The university holds commencement exercises at the end of the spring semester. Students graduating in the Fall, Winter and Summer terms may participate in the Spring commencement ceremony.  

Degree/Certificate Completion

When students submit their “Intent to Graduate” by the established application priority deadline dates based on their completion semester, their academic record will be put through a graduation clearance process. This process requires a thorough review of the student’s academic record with the collaboration of their respective department, college dean and the Graduation Services team. This process is used to certify that students will meet their degree requirements by their intended graduation date. An audit of the student’s degree is performed twice during the graduation clearance process - after the "Intent to Graduate" has been declared and when all coursework is completed at the end of the semester or term. Correspondence will be sent to all students who have submitted their “Intent to Graduate” request after their degree audit has been reviewed to notify students of their graduation status.

If a student has met all the graduation requirements at ESU including the credit minimum (See Graduation Residency policy), the student will be notified and the degree or certificate will be conferred by the Graduation Services team. Degrees are conferred at the end of the fall, winter, spring and summer terms during the following months: December, January, May and August respectively. 

Once a degree has been conferred, the academic record is final and sealed. Changes to enrollment, courses, grades and program of study associated with the degree conferral are not permitted to the academic record of a graduate.  Students who do not meet their degree requirements for the semester/term they had intended upon graduating must declare another “Intent to Graduate” and create a revised plan to complete their degree requirements in a subsequent semester or term. The official degree conferral/graduation date is posted on the student’s permanent record (transcript) as the semester/term when all degree requirements have been completed and confirmed by the Registrar or the designee.