Graduation & Commencement

Graduation Requirements

Undergrad (Bachelor’s Degree)

To graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Queens College, you need to:

Finish your general education classes (QC Core & Pathways)
Complete at least one major
Earn a minimum of 120 total credits

Use DegreeWorks to check your progress, meet with your advisor, and apply through CUNYfirst when you’re ready.

Grad (Master’s Degree)

To graduate with a master’s degree, you need to:

Complete the requirements for your specific program, listed in the Graduate Catalog
Earn between 30 and 60 credits, depending on your program
Keep a minimum 3.0 GPA

Meet with your department advisor regularly to confirm you’re on track, then apply through CUNYfirst when ready.

Graduation Deadlines & Important Dates

Semester Applied	Graduation Application Period	Conferral Date	Diploma Ordered	Degree Posted on CUNYfirst
Fall	July 2 – Nov. 1	January 1st	April 15th	March 1st
Winter**	Nov. 2 – Jan. 1	February 1st	April 15th	April 1st
Spring	Nov. 2 – March 1	June 1st	August 15th	August 1st
Summer	March 2 – July 1	September 1st	November 15th	November 1st
Summer* (for Commencement)	March 2 – April 1	September 1st	November 15th	November 1st

Conferral Date: Graduation requirements are completed by this date; degree awarding will begin after.

*Summer Graduation: Apply by April 1st to attend the Commencement Ceremony and have your name listed in the Commencement Program. Students who apply after April 1 will be invited to participate in the ceremony held the following year.

**Winter Graduation: Submit the Winter Graduation form to registrar@qc.cuny.edu using your Queens College email account.

Next Step

Please click each tab below to review important degree requirement information.

To earn a bachelor’s degree, you must complete at least 120 credits, including general education, major requirements, and any electives needed to reach the credit total.

General Education (QC Core & Pathways)

All undergraduate students must complete:

Pathways Common Core requirements
Queens College (QC) Option courses (varies by transfer status)
Two Writing-Intensive “W” courses (at least one at QC)

Undergraduate Transfer Students: Students must complete a minimum of 45 credits at Queens College to qualify for graduation. The number of QC Option courses required depends on whether you started at a 2-year or 4-year program. See the Admissions & Programs catalog.

Major & Minor Requirements

Every undergraduate must complete at least one major. Minors are optional but can help you reach 120 credits.

Some programs — including Business Administration, Dietetics, Neuroscience, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Music, BFA-Studio Arts, Design, and Education programs — require an application or special declaration.

Degree Requirements

Graduate requirements vary by program. Consult your department listing in the Graduate Catalog for the exact credits, courses, and milestones required for your degree.

Master’s Degree Requirements

Credits: Most master’s programs require 30 to 60 credits, depending on the degree
GPA: All graduate programs must be completed with a minimum 3.0 GPA
Program coursework: Complete all required and elective courses defined by your department or program
Time limit: Most master’s degrees must be completed within 4 years of matriculation (5 years for MAT and MSEd programs)
Residency & transfer credit: Up to 12 graduate credits may be transferred with department approval if earned before matriculation

Graduate Students Who Have Finished Coursework

Important: If you have completed all coursework but are not taking classes in your graduation semester, you must file a Maintenance of Matriculation form and pay the associated fee.

CUNY requires graduate students to be registered in the semester in which the degree is awarded. If there is no coursework registered for during the semester the program is completed, students will be registered for maintenance of matriculation.

This fee is nonrefundable and cannot be waived.

Graduation & Diplomas

How to Apply for Graduation

1. Log into your CUNYfirst account

2. Click on the Student Center

3. Click on the Graduation and Transcript

4. On the left-hand side, click the Application for Graduation — If you don’t see the graduation application link in CUNYfirst, please contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@qc.cuny.edu.

5. Select Yes, then click the Apply button at the bottom right of the page.

6. Select your term from the dropdown list and click Next in the top-right corner.

7. Verify your Personal Details, then click Next.

– Note: You cannot change the information on this page. If your contact information has changed, please complete the Personal Data Change Request (for legal name, phone number, and address updates).

8. Review the information on each page. Click Next in the top right corner to proceed to the final confirmation page.

9. Click Submit to finalize your application.

How to View your Application Status

Log in to CUNYfirst.
Click on “Student Center.”
Click on “Graduation and Transcript.”
On the menu on the left-hand side, Click on “Application for Graduation.”

Status	What It Means
Apply for Graduation	Your application is submitted
Program in Review	General education requirements are being reviewed
Needs to Finish Pending Work	Major/minor requirements are being reviewed
Degree Awarded	All requirements completed. (Diplomas are ordered 3 months after the conferral date)

Next Step

Please click each tab below to review important information about commencement and diplomas.

Queens College holds one Commencement ceremony each year, following the Spring semester.

For the current ceremony date, schedule, and event details, visit the Queens College Commencement website. That site has the latest information on dates, RSVP deadlines, guests, cap and gown, parking, accessibility, and other announcements.

Graduation Application and Commencement Participation

Students must apply for graduation through CUNYfirst to be considered for degree conferral.

Applying for graduation and participating in Commencement are two separate processes. If you want to walk in the ceremony, you must also complete the Commencement RSVP when it opens.

Important: Applying for graduation does not register you for Commencement. An invitation or eligibility to participate also does not mean your degree has been conferred — Queens College must still review and officially award your degree.

Helpful Links

Commencement Eligibility

Eligibility is based on your graduation term and the graduation application deadline.

Check the Commencement website and your QC/CUNY email for current requirements and deadlines.

RSVP for Commencement

Students who plan to participate must complete the Commencement RSVP by the deadline announced by the Commencement Office.

The RSVP is separate from the CUNYfirst graduation application. Students who meet the applicable graduation application deadline will have their names included in the Commencement program, subject to College requirements.

Commencement RSVP

Cap and Gown

Students participating in Commencement must wear the appropriate academic regalia.

Purchasing dates, locations, and pricing will be posted on the Commencement website as they become available.

Guests

Graduates may invite guests to attend Commencement. Guest registration and ticket requirements (if any) will be announced by the Commencement Office.

Commencement Guest Information

A livestream may also be available for guests who cannot attend in person. Details will be posted on the Commencement website when available.

Parking and Campus Entry

Parking on campus is limited on Commencement Day. Plan transportation in advance.

Parking, campus entry, accessible parking, arrival times, assembly areas, and transportation options will be posted on the Commencement website before the ceremony.

Bring your Queens College ID and follow all arrival and assembly instructions from the Commencement Office.

Accessibility and Accommodations

Students or guests who need accommodations should contact the Commencement Office in advance so the College can make arrangements.

Commencement Office: commencement@qc.cuny.edu · 718-997-3600

Questions and Support

For questions about the ceremony, RSVP, guests, or event details, contact the Commencement Office:

Commencement Office

Ceremony details, RSVP, guests, and event questions

Emailcommencement@qc.cuny.edu

Phone718-997-3600

HoursMon–Fri, 9:00am–5:00pm

Important Links

Stay Updated

Commencement details can change during the year. Visit the Commencement website often and check your QC/CUNY email for the latest dates, deadlines, RSVP info, guest instructions, cap and gown details, and parking updates.

Apply for Graduation

Students must apply for graduation through CUNYfirst to be considered for degree conferral.

You do not need to RSVP for Commencement in order to apply for graduation.

Before you apply, review your academic record and DegreeWorks audit to confirm you are on track to complete all degree requirements. Check your QC/CUNY email regularly for updates about graduation, degree conferral, and diplomas.

Important: Applying for graduation and participating in Commencement are separate processes.

Helpful Links

Check Your Name and Address in CUNYfirst

Make sure your full name and mailing address are correct in CUNYfirst before your conferral date.

Your diploma will show the name listed in your CUNYfirst record, and your physical diploma will be mailed to the address on file. This information cannot be changed on the graduation application page.

Note: If your name or address is incorrect, submit the Personal Data Change Form to registrar@qc.cuny.edu using your QC/CUNY email address.

How to Check Your Name and Address

Log in to CUNYfirst.
Go to Student Center.
Open Profile.
Select Personal Details to review the name on your record.
Select Addresses to review the mailing address on file.

Helpful Link

Registrar Forms

Diploma Ordering

Once your degree is officially posted in CUNYfirst, Queens College places the initial diploma order for eligible graduates. You do not need to place this first order yourself.

Diplomas generally become available about three months after the conferral date, once the degree has been posted.

Confirm your mailing address before your conferral date — your physical diploma is mailed to the address on file.

Diploma Delivery

After the College places the diploma order, Parchment emails you about your electronic diploma. The e-diploma is typically available about two weeks after the order is placed.

Your physical diploma is then mailed to you. From order to delivery usually takes about 3–4 weeks. International delivery may take longer.