Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Graduation

How do I know what's required for my degree?

You can look at your Degree Audit to view the requirements for your degree. Student Advisement Degree Audit is an advisement tool used campus wide to track a student's progress. It will show all your courses (completed and in progress), your grades, the semester you took these classes, GPAs, Writing Intensive courses, CUNY Skills Assessment information, etc. We highly recommend that you look over your degree audit frequently within a given semester. To view your DegreeWorks Audit, please follow the instructions on that page.

I am a transfer student with 30 credits from my previous school. Are there any additional requirements I have to meet before I am ready to graduate?

You must complete the minimum residency degree requirements. For students in pursuit of an associate degree, you are required to complete 30 credits in residence at Queensborough. For students in pursuit of a certificate, you are required to complete 15 credits at Queensborough.

I have 60 credits. Why can't I graduate?

In order to be eligible to graduate, you must have the minimum 60 credits applied towards your degree. You can verify that all 60 credits are being applied to your degree by speaking with your academic adviser or by viewing your Student Advisement Degree Audit.  Please note that all the required courses for the degree need to be successfully completed.

I received one of these grades (F, FIN, INC, W, WN, WU) in a class I needed to graduate.  What happens to my graduation status now?

We will review your record a second time once final grades are posted in CUNYFirst. If you have a grade listed above in a required course for your major, you will not be eligible to graduate that semester; however, if you register for that failed/not completed requirement during the subsequent semester, your candidacy for graduation will be moved to the upcoming semester.

How do I apply for graduation?

We currently identify students who have met the requirements for graduation and process an application for them. If you have questions or concerns regarding your candidacy for graduation, please notify Graduation Audit (see our contact information below).

How do I know I have an application for graduation?

Students have access to check their graduation status on their CUNYfirst account. Please follow the graduation status instructions to learn how to access it.

What is the process of review for graduation?

We review your candidacy for graduation twice within a given graduation period. The first review takes place while classes are in session and the last review occurs when final grades are posted. We will send the results of each evaluation through the preferred email checked in CUNYfirst. Please make sure your email address is updated on your CUNYfirst account, since this is our primary mode of contact.

My CUNYFirst account says I'm “Approved.”  Can I receive proof of this?

The “Approved” status indicates that you have met the requirements for graduation as of the upcoming graduation date. We cannot post the “Awarded” status until the graduation date. In the meantime, you may request a verification letter to verify that you have been approved for graduation at the Registrar's Office in Administration Building room A-104.

How will the school I am transferring to know I have graduated?

Once the final review for grades is complete, you will be sent a congratulatory letter indicating that you have met the requirements for graduation. This letter indicates your record has been updated to show you have been awarded your degree. You may request a transcript by contacting the Registrar's Office. For more information regarding transcript requests, please refer to the Registrar's Office webpage on ordering transcripts.

I need proof that I graduated but I don't want to pay for a transcript. What can I do?

You may request an official verification letter which is free of charge. You can use the Enrollment and Graduation Verification  form.

What documentation can I provide to the College I am transferring to?

If your CUNYfirst account indicates you were placed in “Approved” status, then you may request an official verification letter to be sent to your new school. For more information regarding verification letters, please contact the Registrar's Office located in the Administration Building room A-104.

I didn't meet the requirements for graduation during my last semester at Queensborough and I have been accepted to another school next semester. Can I take my final requirements at my new school and transfer the courses back?

Yes, you may take your final requirements for your QCC degree at your new school. In order to do so, you will have to notify Graduation Audit in writing, either by email or coming in person to fill out a form.

As long as your graduation date is within that calendar year, you will be able to attend the ceremony.

Is there a Commencement ceremony for every semester?

There is only one Commencement Ceremony per year, but there are four (4) different graduation dates:

• January (For students finishing requirements during the Fall semester of the prior year)

• February (For students finishing requirements during the Winter Session of the same year)

• May / June (For students finishing requirements during the Spring semester of the same year)

• August (For students finishing requirements during the Summer session of the same year)

The students who can attend the Commencement Ceremony are the candidates for graduation for the Fall semester of the prior year, and candidates for graduation for Spring, Winter, and Summer of the same year.

My CUNYfirst account says I'm “In Review” or “Pending.” Can I participate in the Commencement Ceremony?

Yes, these statuses indicate that you are a candidate for graduation; therefore, you may participate in the ceremony.

I will be graduating in August. Can I participate (walk) in the Commencement Ceremony?

Provided that you are in “Applied” status on CUNYfirst, you may participate in the Ceremony. If you think you might qualify for August graduation, please contact Graduation Audit as soon as possible. For additional information regarding your participation in the Commencement Ceremony, please contact the Office of Student Affairs located in the Library Building room L-412 or visit the Commencement website.

I don't want to go to Commencement. Is attendance mandatory?

While we encourage students to celebrate their accomplishments, participation in the Commencement Ceremony is optional.

I participated in the Commencement Ceremony. Does this mean I officially graduated?

No, participation in the Commencement Ceremony does not mean that you have officially graduated from Queensborough. The congratulatory letter (or official notice of graduation) will be sent directly to your preferred email address selected in your CUNYfirst account. Unless you are a January or February candidate, you will not receive the official notice until sometime after the ceremony.

How soon will I receive my diploma?

An e-diploma, PDF format, will be sent to your preferred email address selected in your CUNYfirst account from Parchment Services 3 to 4 months after your graduation date. A few weeks later, a physical diploma will be mailed to your home address. Please make sure your name and address are accurate in CUNYfirst so you will receive your diploma in a timely manner.

I lost my diploma. What can I do to get another one? How much does it cost?

The cost of a duplicate diploma is $30.00. You may request a duplicate diploma through Parchment Services by logging into your account:

https://www.parchment.com/u/registration/34593/account 

https://www.parchment.com/students/how-it-works/

Will my diploma indicate my major?

Your diploma will indicate the kind of degree you obtained:

• Associate in Arts (A.A.)
• Associate in Science (A.S.)
• Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)
• Certificate in ___________

Your transcript will indicate your major (or curriculum) of study.

I was awarded a degree last semester, but I want to take a class or two during the next semester. Am I permitted to do so?

Yes, you may continue to take classes after you have been awarded your degree. However, you must first submit an application for a second degree with the Office of Admissions, located in the Administration Building room A-210. If you have additional questions, they can be reached at (718) 281-5000.

I have an associate degree, but I want to pursue another one. How would I go about that?

You must submit an application for a second degree with the Office of Admissions, located in the Administration Building room A-210. Please keep in mind that you are required to complete an additional 24 credits towards your second degree requirements. These additional credits cannot have been applied to your first degree.

I have more questions about graduation. How do I contact Graduation Audit?

You can contact us three ways:

• By coming in person to the Administration Building, room A-104

• By calling (718) 631-6212

• By emailing Gradaudit@qcc.cuny.edu