Frequently Asked Questions

Commencement

Once you have completed your degree requirements, submit a petition to graduate (located in the Graduation Overview section of My Salve).

Undergraduate students are also required to:

  • Submit any official transcripts from other institutions that may apply towards the completion of your degree requirements.
  • If applicable, submit all forms for life experience credit, military experience, credit by examination (CLEP) or Advanced Placement (AP).
  • If applicable, register for outstanding coursework to complete your degree requirements.
  • Resolve any outstanding account balances with the Business Office.
  • If applicable, complete an exit interview with the Office of Financial Aid.
  • Complete the senior exit survey, which provides an opportunity to give important feedback about your Salve Regina experience.

Graduate and doctoral students are also required to:

  • Submit any official transcripts from other institutions that will be applied towards the completion of your degree requirements.
  • Resolve any outstanding account balances with the Business Office.
  • If applicable, complete an exit interview with the Office of Financial Aid.

If you completed your degree requirements during the summer term or the fall semester, you are welcome to participate in Commencement.

Undergraduate students who will have no more than six credits left to earn their degree and who will complete their final degree requirements during the subsequent summer term or fall semester may qualify to participate in Commencement. You must submit evidence of your final course registration to the Office of the Registrar by the end of the first week of April to participate. You must complete all requirements by the Dec. 31 conferral date of that year.

Graduate and doctoral students who will have no more than three credits left to earn their degree, who will complete their final degree requirement during the following semester and who are currently registered for that course may qualify to participate in Commencement.

Full academic regalia, including a cap, tassel, gown and hood, is required for all Commencement ceremonies and must be ordered through the links below:

  • Bachelor’s degree regalia – Order by March 8. The cost of regalia is factored into your graduation fee.
  • Master’s degree regalia – Order by March 8. The fee for regalia will be collected by the Salve Regina bookstore at pickup.
  • Doctoral degree regalia (rental) – Order by March 15. The fee for rented regalia will be collected by the Salve Regina bookstore at pickup. Rented regalia must be returned to the bookstore within a designated timeframe. Students will have a hold placed their account if the regalia is not returned.
  • Doctoral degree regalia (purchase) – Order by March 15.

Regalia will be available for pickup in the Salve Regina bookstore the week of April 22.

Undergraduate ceremony: Tickets are required for admission. Each graduate is issued six tickets, and no additional tickets will be available. Tickets will be available for pickup from Monday, April 15 through Thursday, May 9. You must present your Salve ID to pick up tickets. Students will not be permitted to pick up another student's tickets.

Graduate ceremony: Tickets are not required for admission.

Full academic regalia (including a cap) is required. During the ceremony, only University-recognized cords, stoles or pins may be worn on the outside of the gown.

Guests attending Commencement events are asked to follow the instructions provided by designated security personnel. Please be advised that parking on campus is limited and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Considering this limitation, guests are encouraged to consider carpooling whenever feasible to alleviate parking congestion on campus.

Undergraduate students who have a guest with special accommodations should notify the staff regarding the accommodation when they pick up their Commencement tickets.

Graduate students who have a guest with special accommodations should complete the Commencement RSVP form to ensure that all necessary arrangements are made prior to Commencement weekend.

The drop-off area for guests with special accommodation and their escorts is located at the corner of Shepard and Ochre Point avenues. Security officers will direct you once you arrive on campus. To provide easier and safer access, a section in the tent will be designated to accommodate wheelchair guests and their escorts.

Honor cords are given to bachelor's degree candidates with a cumulative GPA of 3.60 or higher. Announcements concerning Latin honors are handled by the Office of the Registrar. Please do not contact the office to determine your eligibility. Before Commencement weekend, a list of Latin honors recipients will be posted on the Commencement website. Students will be notified by email with a link to the webpage.

Your diploma will be mailed to the address indicated on your petition to graduate a few weeks after the degree conferral date. If you need to update your address, please email the Office of the Registrar at sruregistrar@salve.edu. Diplomas are in Latin with a translation page provided. All graduates will receive a ceremonial diploma cover during the Commencement ceremony.

Both Commencements will be livestreamed on Salve Regina's YouTube channel. Links will be added to the Commencement webpage shortly before each ceremony.