Hello seniors! 

Just a friendly reminder that all students who intend to graduate this spring have to apply for graduation by Friday, March 15, 2024 (the week of Spring Break.)  

Please note: It is VERY helpful to apply for graduation as soon as possible in the fall, so the Navigation Center has time to review your Degree Tracker and let you know if you’re missing anything. The earlier you apply for graduation, the more time you have to adjust your spring schedule, request Directed Studies, and do whatever you need to be all set to graduate. If you wait until March, you may not get approval or notice of any issues until late April/early May—yikes!

Here is all the information you need to know:

Information about Graduation: 

https://www.salemstate.edu/campus-life/student-navigation-center/registrar/graduation 

How to Apply for Graduation: 

1. Log into Navigator. 

2. On the Student Homepage, click on "Academic Progress".

3. On the menu on the left-hand side of the screen, click on "Apply for Graduation".

4. To the right of "Academic Program", click on your program.

  NOTE: If you have a double major, you may only choose one program as your primary graduation program. Choosing your second major as your primary graduation program may impact your graduation requirements, so choose your program carefully.

5. In the drop down menu provided next to "Expected Completion Term", select the term that you expect to graduate.

 NOTE: If you are anticipating graduating in the summer, but wish to walk in the spring, input your "Expected Completion Term" as the summer term. Later in the application you will be able to indicate that you would like to attend commencement in the spring.

6. Read the Graduation Instructions, then select the "Continue" button.

7. Input your first, middle (optional), and last name in the corresponding boxes. Please note that how you write your name here is how it will be displayed on your diploma.

8. Under the heading "Event Attendance Information", indicate which commencement you will be attending by clicking the radio button next to the commencement and commencement year listed. Next, indicate whether you will be attending commencement or not by clicking the radio button next to "Will Attend" or "Will Not Attend", then click "Continue".

9. Verify that all of the information regarding your Program, Career, Degree, Major, and Expected Completion term are accurate. Then select "Submit Application".

10. When you have successfully completed your application, you will see an on screen confirmation. After 24-hours, you will also receive a confirmation email that your application was successfully completed.

https://ask.salemstate.edu/kb/how-apply-graduation 

Friday, May 17, 2024
3:00pm – 5:00pm
O'Keefe Complex, O'Keefe Campus
225 Canal Street, Salem, MA 01970
Rockett Arena

Congratulations to the Class of 2024! Graduate and undergraduate degree candidates, please arrive at 1:30 pm. Doors open to guests with tickets at 2 pm. Visit the commencement webpage for additional information. Bertolon School of Business and College of Arts and Sciences (selected majors) degrees awarded:

• Bachelor of Arts - Art, Dance, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Theatre Arts.

• Bachelor of Liberal Studies - Interdisciplinary Studies, Liberal Studies

• Bachelor of Fine Arts - Theatre Arts

• Bachelor of Science - Computer Science, Information Technology, Media and Communication, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology

• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

• Master of Business Administration

• Master of Science - Accounting, Behavior Analysis, Counseling, Geo-Information Science, Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  
  *Students who are pursuing double majors will be asked to designate their primary major when they complete their application for degree and will attend the ceremony for that major.

All candidates participating in commencement exercises must wear proper academic regalia.

Caps and gowns are provided to students who are eligible to participate in commencement at no additional cost. Students may pick up their cap and gown at the bookstore from Wednesday, April 10 through Wednesday, May 15, 2024, no appointment needed.

When claiming your cap and gown at the bookstore, please bring with you either a state/federal photo ID or your SSU ClipperCard.

All approved graduates will use their bookstore credit to pay for the cost of regalia. Simply enter your student ID at checkout under Financial Aid/Scholarship. The credit will not cover tassels for a minor or any extra souvenir items.

Friday, May 10, 2024 from 11 am-8 pm
Sophia Gordon Center for the Creative and Performing Arts

Sign-Up Link: TBD

In the week before commencement ceremonies, graduates can make an appointment to pose for portraits in their regalia and celebrate safely with guests. Students will be able to cross the theatre stage in their cap and gown and have photos taken by professional photographers. Guests are welcome to attend to photograph the graduate and pose for group photos, too.

Choose your time and date to cross the ceremonial stage in cap and gown with your guests in attendance and able to photograph you up close! Sign up with friends or classmates from other programs who may graduate in a different commencement ceremony.

At Graduation Portraits, undergraduate and graduate students will:

• be awarded a special Viking Strong cord to honor your perseverance and resilience;

• choose a friend or family member (or a university official) to announce your name;

• walk across the ceremonial stage in your cap and gown;

• be professionally photographed with family and friends;

• receive a code for a free 5x7 photograph (no purchase necessary) 

Students may sign up on a first-come, first-served basis. Appointments for small groups of graduates will be available at 15-minute intervals. Students will be able to choose up to ten guests to accompany them to the Graduate Portrait event. There is no charge for having pictures taken. All graduates are able to use a code for a free 5x7 photograph from either the Graduate Portraits event and/or the Commencement ceremony. Guests are welcome to photograph or video their graduate up close at the Graduate Portraits event.