Graduation Information

Graduation Date

Commencement will take place on Sunday, May 26, 2024.  

Senior Deadlines

  • All PE requirements must be fulfilled by the last day of classes on Friday, May 3, 2024.
  • By mid-April look for an email from the Registrar asking you to verify the correct listing of your name, major(s) and minor(s) for your diploma and the graduation list. See more about names, below.
  • All financial obligations must be met by noon on Friday, May 17, 2024.
  • All academic work and academic requirements (except Honors orals) must be fulfilled by the last day of finals on Thursday, May 16, 2024.
  • All transfer credit must be received by Friday, May 3, 2024.
  • All library materials must be returned to the Libraries by Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
  • Seniors grades are due Tuesday, May 21, 2024.  

Graduation Rule

By Swarthmore policy, to graduate seniors must be completely finished with degree requirements and approved for graduation by vote of the faculty (Catalog 8.9).  Swarthmore does not permit seniors to walk in Commencement without being completely finished with degree requirements, nor are seniors allowed to participate without actually graduating if they defer their graduation year. 

Verify Graduation Name Listing and Diploma Information

In April, the Registrar's Office sends seniors an email requesting students verify the name, major(s) and minor(s) for their diploma.  Students may email the Registrar now to make any needed changes; see more options below.

NAMES

Full legal names are printed on the diploma and graduation list, unless otherwise requested.   

  • Students intending to use the diploma as an international document (for working abroad) or as a legal document should use their legal name.
  • The graduation list is not a legal document and names need not be a legal name. 
  • Information on chosen names may be found here.

ACCENT MARKS

To include accent marks on the diploma or Graduation List, please email registrar@swarthmore.edu and we will make every effort to include these markings.  Students are also welcome to send a photo of hand-written names with markings included. 

MAJORS AND MINORS

Majors and minors may be confirmed by checking the degree audit in mySwarthmore.  Any change of major or minor needs departmental approval. 

GRADUATION AND COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM NAME LISTS

The graduation list displays student names and major(s) in the Commencement Program.  Bachelor of Arts are listed first, then Bachelor of Science. Minors don't appear in the graduation list. Separate from the list of graduates, there is a list of Honors participants by last name. The Commencement Program also lists honorary awards to members of the graduating class: Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, Tau Beta Pi, Fellowships and Prizes and Pennsylvania Teacher Certification.

Students who prefer not to be included in the Graduation List or the Commencement Program must notify the registrar in writing by May 3, 2024.

DEGREES AND DIPLOMAS

The Swarthmore diploma includes a student's name, degree, level of Honors earned (if applicable), major(s) and minor(s).

Swarthmore awards the Bachelor of Arts degree for all its majors except the Engineering major, which earns a Bachelor of Science. Swarthmore students earning majors in Engineering and another field earn two degrees and two diplomas.

The Honors designation is awarded by the College, not by a particular department.  Honors listed on the diploma will not be attributed to a particular major.  The diploma lists the level of Honors earned on one line, followed by major(s) and minor(s) on separate lines.

PARTICIPATION

Participation in the graduation ceremony is encouraged but not required.  After the faculty have approved the candidates for graduation and degree requirements have been reviewed, student degrees will be recorded and students will be graduated.  

SOCIAL SENIOR

Seniors who are not graduating this year, please learn more here.

DECEMBER FINISHER

Students who plan to complete the degree requirements in December should learn more here.

UPDATE YOUR GRADUATION YEAR

If you would like to change your graduation year, please learn more here.