Apply for Graduation
Graduation from Hunter College is the culmination of years of your hard work and dedication. To graduate from Hunter means that you have officially completed your academic degree; from here, you’ll go on to launch your career and use the education you’ve received. You must apply to graduate, it doesn’t happen automatically. Graduation is celebrated at Hunter with a commencement ceremony that takes place prior to your degree being conferred. See the commencement page for information for students and guests about the ceremony.
Once you’ve met the following requirements, you’re ready to graduate:
- 120 Credits
- GPA of 2.0 (C average) or better
- Completion of the Hunter Core Requirements (HCR) or General Education Requirement (GER)
- Completion of a Major
How to Apply for Graduation
You’re getting ready to graduate. Now you need to begin the application process to receive your degree.
To apply to graduate:
- On CUNYFirst, select the drop down tab that reads “Apply to Graduate.”
- Only apply for the semester you will complete your degree.
- Applying on time will allow you to correct missing requirements before graduation.
- Filing periods open at 9 a.m. on the first day of submission and close at 5 p.m. on the day of submission.
Graduation Application Filing Periods
Your deadlines to apply for graduation will be here before you know it! Take note of these dates and add them to your calendar so you don’t miss anything along the way.| If you plan to complete your final coursework or final project (thesis) by the end of... | You must apply to graduate (via CUNYfirst) between... |
|---|---|
| Spring | October 16 - February 15 |
| Summer | February 16 - June 15 |
| Fall/Winter | June 16 - October 15 |
Check Degree Audit
Your degree audit is the final step in your graduation application! Once the Office of the Registrar reviews your application, you will be notified via email.
- If you filed on time you will receive notice in time to make corrections prior to graduation.
- To view your degree audit results use the link provided in the email from the Office of the Registrar
- If you have remaining degree requirements schedule an appointment with your academic advisor and/or your major advisor.
Additional Instructions
Be sure all personal information on your record is correct and up-to-date. You can check that your name, permanent address and Social Security number are correct via your CUNYfirst account. To make any changes you must submit the Change of Name/Address Form at the One Stop office.
2. Check that you have the appropriate major(s)/minor(s)/program declared on your transcript. If you’ve declared a minor but did not complete it, be sure to drop the minor from your record immediately.
3. If you have any waivers, substitutions, transfer credits or e-permits, be sure all necessary paperwork has been filled out and submitted.
Note: For more information regarding Hunter College degree requirements, rules, and regulations, please refer to the college catalog for the year you entered Hunter. If you have any questions regarding these requirements, or whether or not you’ve fulfilled them, please contact your academic/faculty advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- The Commencement Ceremony is an event that is held at conclusion of the Fall and Spring semesters to celebrate those students who are candidates for official graduation. For information regarding the Commencement Ceremony, please visit www.hunter.cuny.edu/commencement.
- Official Graduation is completed by submitting an application for graduation to have an audit processed on your official record by the Registrar’s Office/Degree Audit Unit. This audit makes sure all requirements have been successfully fulfilled to officially obtain your diploma.
If you registered for Study Abroad/permit courses that are not on your Hunter record, contact the host institution for the transcript and any other necessary documentation (If you’ve registered for a permit course through another CUNY institution, the request of a transcript/official letter is not necessary). Have all transcripts and other documentation sent to the One Stop office at 217 Hunter North. You will be unable to graduate if all Study Abroad/permit credits that you’ve applied for are not on your record by the end of the graduating semester.
If you registered for Study Abroad/permit and did not attend, you must obtain an official letter from the host institution stating that you did not officially register for the course or attend the course (If you’ve registered for a permit course through another CUNY institution, the request of a transcript/official letter is not necessary). Have all transcripts and other documentation sent to the One Stop office at 217 Hunter North. You will be unable to graduate if all Study Abroad/permit credits are not accounted for by official letter by the end of the graduating semester.
You will have the ability to go on permit/Study Abroad in your final semester but taking courses away from Hunter during the graduating semester is not recommended and may delay your graduation. If you do decide to go out on Study Abroad/permit during your final semester, please allow 4 weeks from the time you’ve recieved your grades from your host school for the credits/grades to be posted to your official Hunter record. Once these permit/Study Adbroad courses/grades are reflected on your official Hunter record, then your final degree audit can be reviewed and official graduation processed.
Yes. If you have a course exception for your major or minor, your advisor will need to submit an official memorandum to the Registrar’s Office. This official memorandum (a note on departmental or divisional letterhead, with a department’s signature/stamp) should simply state that you are using a specific course in lieu of the required course for the major/minor.
Please visit an advisor with the Office of Advising for assistance.
Exceptions/waivers will be visible on your official record, via your transcript, as well as your DegreeWorks page. Your Degree Auditor will see the comments on your official record and your DegreeWorks page and apply them during your audit.
The process will normally take 2-4 weeks from the date of submission to the Registrar’s office. During high volume times (such as the end of the semester), this estimated processing time can be longer. Exception notes are only posted to your transcript after you’ve successfully passed the course in which you are using in lieu of the required course.
Yes, if you are exempt or waived from a major/minor requirement, you are still obligated to complete the total number of credits needed for the major/minor. Speak with your major/minor advisor regarding the remaining credits required for the degree.
- Bachelor’s degree?
Degree Audit will register you for a placeholder course (ONFIL xxxx) that will keep you enrolled during your graduating semester. This course will not be charged to your bill or appear on your transcript. - Master’s degree or Doctorate degree?
You will need to pay a Maintenance of Matriculation (MAM) fee with the Bursar’s office in order to be eligible for graduation. You must submit the MAM form along with your payment. This course will not appear on your transcript. - Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s degree?
You will need to pay a Maintenance of Matriculation (MAM) fee with the Bursar’s office in order to be eligible for graduation. You must submit the MAM form along with your payment. This course will not appear on your transcript.
- Bachelor’s degree?
If you are unable to access your CUNYfirst account, please contact the studenthelpdesk@hunter.cuny.edu for assistance.
If you need to cancel your graduation application, simply contact Degree Audit (degree.audit@hunter.cuny.edu). Please send this email from your Hunter email address, verifying your Student ID number (EMPL ID) and in the subject write “Graduation Cancellation”. We will cancel your application in 1-2 business days. Please note: In order to be officially graduated, you will need to reapply for a future graduating semester.
Once you’ve viewed on your CUNYfirst account that you’ve officially graduated, you can receive an enrollment verification letter via the One Stop, 217 Hunter North. This letter will note that your official graduation has been updated on your record. If you cannot make it to campus, you can also order an official transcript online that can be sent directly to employers, colleges, and yourself. To order an official transcript visit: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/onestop/records-and-transcripts/transcript-request.
If you would like to take more courses at Hunter once you’ve officially graduated, you will need to speak with the Admissions office in order to be readmitted to the college. Please visit the website of the corresponding admissions offices dependent upon the level of course work you would like to take:
Diplomas are usually available 3-4 months after the graduating class has been officially graduated. You will receive an email to your Hunter email once diplomas are available to be picked up from the One Stop, 217 HN.
If you are unable to pick up your diploma, you can fill out a diploma mailer form which can have your diploma mailed to the destination of your choosing.
If you would like to take more courses at Hunter once you’ve officially graduated, you will need to speak with the Admissions office in order to be readmitted to the college. If you would like to take undergraduate courses, complete the Application for Undergraduate Readmission. If you would like to take graduate courses, visit the Graduate Admissions website.
Diplomas are usually available 3-4 months after the graduating class has been officially graduated. You will receive an email to your Hunter email once diplomas are available to be picked up from the One Stop, Room 217 North.
If you are unable to pick up your diploma, you can fill out a diploma mailer form which can have your diploma mailed to the destination of your choosing.