Graduation and Commencement

Who Can Advise Me About My Program So I Can Graduate?

Discuss all program requirements, including the appropriate credits required for your program, with your advisor so that you are not notified in your final semester about missing requirements. Also, refer to the catalogue for your program requirements.

How Do I Graduate?

You must fill out a Graduation Application (pdf) and submit it by the set deadlines (pdf).

What Happens After The Graduation Application Is Submitted?

The Registrar’s Office will audit your file to see if you are eligible for graduation.

What Is Checked During The Audit?

1. Completion of liberal arts and science pre-requisites as determined by the Admissions Office at the time of acceptance. For questions about your liberal arts and sciences requirements, contact Jesse Nguyen in the Graduate Admissions Office.
2. Official transcripts with degree conferred from your undergraduate and/or graduate school.
3. Completion of the Child Abuse and SAVE Workshops (if you are in a certification program). If you completed these workshops elsewhere, be sure to forward copies of the completion forms to the Registrar's Office. If you completed them at Bank Street, they will appear on your official transcripts.
4. Coursework requirements for your program.
5. Your Integrative Master's Project (if applicable). You must officially commence an Integrative Master's Project by the appropriate deadlines.
6. A Graduation Application.
7. Waivers or course transfers when necessary.

What Happens if I'm Missing Something?

An audit letter will be sent to you and a copy will be sent to your advisor detailing the results of the review. You will not officially graduate until all outstanding issues are cleared up and your Integrative Master's Project is accepted.

Which Integrative Master's Project (IMP) Should I Take?

Please visit the Integrative Master's Project page for more information. Also consult with your advisor on which is the best IMP option for you.

Dual Degree Students With Hunter Or Columbia:

Must complete all requirements for Bank Street College and either Columbia or Hunter in order to graduate. Be sure to apply for graduation at both institutions.

When Is Commencement?

Commencement 2012 will occur on May 24, 2012.  

Who Can Attend Commencement?

Students who complete their degree requirements between June 2011 and May 2012 will be invited to the May 2012 Commencement Ceremony. Only those completing all requirements before the ceremony will be permitted to participate in Commencement. There are no exceptions!

When Will I Be Invited To The Commencement Ceremony?

Invitations to Commencement (pdf) are sent during the spring semester to those students who have officially completed their requirements or who will be anticipating to finish before the Commencement Ceremony in May.

Do I Need To Reply To the Commencement Invitation?

Yes, even if you do not plan to attend or if you anticipate that you will not complete your requirements in time. 

Are Cap & Gown Required?

No, they are not required, but should you wish to order one, you will be asked to submit the Cap & Gown Form (pdf) to the Registrar’s Office.

Will I Be Notified When My Cap & Gown are Ready?

You will be notified via email when your order is ready for pick-up in the Registrar’s Office.  You will need to show a photo ID or inform the office that someone else will be picking up your materials. A signature is required verifying receipt of the packet.

How Many Tickets Can I Request?

Graduates are allocated six (6) tickets each but we ask that you only request the number of tickets you will actually use. Requests for additional tickets must be made in writing to the Registrar’s Office and will be considered only if space permits based on the number of graduates attending and guest tickets requested.  We are unable to notify students about extra tickets until two weeks prior to the ceremony.

Where Do I Pick Up The Tickets?

Tickets will be included with your cap and gown if you ordered them, or, if you do not order a cap and gown, they will be mailed to you.

How Do I find Out About Commencement Details?

Approximately one month prior to the ceremony, this letter (pdf) explaining the details of Commencement was sent.

What Happens Once I am Officially Graduated?

A packet of materials is sent including information and instructions about applying for New York State Certification.

What Do I Do With The New York State Certification Paperwork?

• Use the step-by-step instructions for completing the state's new online certification application via the TEACH system, as well as the personalized information sheet indicating the information you will need to enter into the TEACH system to apply for the appropriate certificate(s).
• Enter the information from the form exactly as it appears on your information sheet. Your program code is listed in Step 1 of the Student Application Information form. It is the five digit code preceding the NYSED name of the program you completed at Bank Street.
• Failure to select the appropriate program in the system will cause the TEACH system to determine that you are ineligible for the certificate(s) for which you are applying. 

Do I Need To Have My Fingerprints and State Mandated Workshops?

All requirements for certification including exams and fingerprinting must be completed! Certificates are not issued until all requirements are met. Please visit our  Certification page for more information.

Were You Certified Before Attending Bank Street?

If you already had certification before attending Bank Street and will be using your Bank Street degree to meet the master's degree requirement for professional certification, you must follow a separate procedure for obtaining that certificate. Please visit (link) to find out what steps you will need to take.

Need More Certification Information?

Please visit our requirements are met. Please visit our Certification page for more in-depth information.

When will I Receive My Diploma?

Diplomas are mailed to students approximately three months from the date of gradation. Diplomas are not distributed at Commencement.  

Where Will The Diploma Be Mailed?  

Diplomas are mailed to the address indicated on the Graduation Application (pdf).   If you change your address with the Registrar's Office after submitting the Application for Degree Completion form, the diploma will be sent to that address.

Questions regarding diplomas should be sent to Bettina Tillman at blt@bankstreet.edu.

Diplomas Not Sent To Students With Holds

Financial obligations to the College must be settled with the Business Office and books borrowed from the Library must be returned.

Students who have received financial aid must complete an Exit Interview.

• Students with Stafford Loans or Direct Loans, please see Louis Palefsky in the Financial Aid Office, available at 212-875-4408
• Students with Perkins Loans, please see Indira Mookhram in the Business Office (7th floor) available at 212-875-4620.

A hold will be placed on your record should you fail to complete these requirements and your diploma and/or transcripts will not be released until all obligations are met.