Graduation Policies

Commencement Application Information

The application can be found on Banner Self Service either through your MCLA Portal or by logging in here.

  • December Graduation: Due September 30th     
  • May Graduation: Due November 27th                                                                                                                                                    

Commencement Requirements

  • The core curriculum requirements must be completed.
  • The requirements for the student's major must be completed (Student must be matriculated).
  • A minimum grade point average of 2.000 overall and 2.000 in the major and minor program requirements must be earned.
  • A minimum of 45 credits must be completed at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts; a minimum of one half of the courses in a student's major must be taken through Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
  • At least 120 credits including the major program credits must be earned.  No more than five credits can be fulfilled by personal fitness/skills courses in physical education.
  • A student's final 15 credits of coursework must be completed at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
  • At least 39 of the 120 credits must be in upper-division work  (300-500 level).
  • Students matriculated prior to Fall 2021 have a graduation requirement of 2 credits of Physical Education. Students matriculated in Fall 2021 and forward are required to complete the Integrative Core requirement of a Health & Wellness class.
  • *Application for graduation must be filed with the Registrar's Office according to the following schedule:

 

Commencement With Distinction

Students of superior academic achievement graduate with distinction according to their quality point average earned at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts only. The following standards will be used for students graduating in the year 2012 and thereafter.  For students graduating prior to 2012 please refer to the MCLA 2006-2007 catalog.

Summa cum Laude 3.800 - 4.000
Magna cum Laude 3.600 - 3.799
Cum Laude 3.300 - 3.599

 

Commencement Attendance Policy

Students may attend the graduation ceremony following completion of ALL graduation requirements.  Students must complete an application for graduation by the deadlines listed in the section graduation requirements.  The form must be submitted to the Registrar's Office.

Commencement Information

Information pertaining to the Commencement ceremonies can be found here.