Graduation and Commencement

I Have Applied to Graduate. How Do I Know If I Have Met My Degree Requirements?

Students who have applied to graduate for the current term will be mailed degree audit letters outlining missing or in-progress degree requirements. If you have any questions regarding your graduation status, please refer to your degree audit letter.

Only students who have applied to graduate will receive a degree audit letter. Only students who are in the pressumed last semester of their degree should apply for graduation.

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 academic advisor so that you are not notified in your final semester degree audit about missing requirements. Also, refer to the catalog for your program requirements.

How Do I Graduate?

Once you have successfully completed all but your last semester of work, you must fill out a Graduation Application (pdf) and submit it by the set deadlines.

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 Degree 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 on file.
7. Waivers or course transfers when necessary.

We suggest reviewing your academic record with your advisor prior to applying for graduation, to track your degree progress and to insure that the degree audit matches your expectations.

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 College Or Columbia University:

Students in dual degree programs must complete all requirements for Bank Street College and either Columbia University or Hunter College in order to graduate. Be sure to apply for graduation at both institutions.

When Is Commencement?

Commencement 2013 will occur on May 16, 2013.

For more information, please review the Commencement details for May 2013 graduation. 

Who Can Attend Commencement?

Students who complete their degree requirements between June 2012 and May 2013 will be invited to the May 2013 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 are emailed to College-issued student email accounts 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.

For more information, please review the Commencement details for May 2013 graduation. 

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. Please respond no later than April 26, 2013 to let us know whether or not you will be attending.

For more information, please review the Commencement details for May 2013 graduation.   

Are Cap & Gown Required?

No, they are not required, but should you wish to order one, please see our Commencement details page for ordering information.

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

As of Spring 2013, Cap and Gown orders will be fulfilled through our third-party supplier. Please see our Commencement details page for more information.

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.

How Do I Get My Tickets?

If you have responded to the electronic RSVP invitation to graduation, information regarding ticket pick-up has been sent to your College email account.

How Do I find Out About Commencement Details?

Please view our Commencement Details page for more information regarding the May 2013 ceremony.

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.

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.