Graduation / Final Audit

It is the student's responsibility to complete the curriculum prescribed in the University catalog in effect, or as modified, when he/she matriculates.  Students who will be completing their curriculum requirements for degrees, teacher certification, or Post Baccalaureate certificates must file an Application for Final Audit in the Office of the Registrar.  In order to be evaluated for completion of requirements and subsequently become eligible for degree conferment, certificate or recommendation for teacher certification, students must adhere to the following deadlines in filing an application:


 June 1 for the following January graduation
 October 1 for the following May graduation
  March 1 for the following August graduation


Depending on which graduation list you filed in time for, you will receive a Final Audit from this office according to the following schedule, and prior to the change of program registration period for your last semester:


late November-December for May list
late April-May for August list
late July-August for January list

If You Missed the Deadline to File for August 2013 Graduation

Although you cannot be added to the August 2013 graduation list at this time, if you are able to complete all of your program requirements by the August conferment date, you will be able to graduate in August 2013.  In order to set this process in motion, you must file immediately for a graduation date of January 2014 by completing an Application for Final Audit and returning it to the Office of the Registrar.  On the top of the application form, write the following:  PLEASE MOVE TO AUGUST 2013.

After June 3, 2013, the audits for January 2014 candidates will begin to be processed.  Should the result of your Final Audit indicate that your program requirements will be completed in time for the August 2013 conferment date, you will be notified and moved to the August 2013 graduation list. Should the result of this Final Audit indicate that you will not meet your program requirements, you will be notified that you will remain on the January 2014 graduation list.

Certification/certificate only candidates should follow the above instructions as well.

Please note that all documents that are needed to fulfill graduation requirements must be on file in the Office of the Registrar before you can be moved to the May graduation list (i.e., transcripts from other institutions, grade changes, and other credentials).

NOTE: The procedures outlined above are for use between

March 2, 2013 and June 3, 2013

Certification (State of New Jersey) 
Baccalaureate and Master's degree candidates, as well as Post Baccalaureate Certificate candidates, who have been evaluated through the Office of the Registrar for New Jersey  teaching, educational services, or administrative certificates must complete the Application for Certification and pay the required fees by the following deadlines:

November 15 for January graduation
April 15 for May graduation
August 1 for August graduation

All degree/certification requirements must be met before your application is sent to Trenton by this office after January 31 for the January conferment, August 31 for the August conferment and approximately 2 weeks after the May conferment date. 

Application forms will be mailed to candidates approximately four weeks prior to the deadline. Completed applications MUST BE NOTARIZED and returned with payment to:  Office of the Registrar, Montclair State University, 1 Normal Ave, Montclair, NJ 07043.
The State of NJ has issued new fees which range from $95 to $190 per certificate. More information is available on the NJ Teacher Education web site at:

Certificates will be sent to students from the State Department of Education in Trenton approximately six weeks after the date of conferment.

Commencement
Commencement exercises are held in the spring of each year for students who have earned degrees in the preceding January or August, as well as for May degree candidates. In order to participate in Commencement, a student must have completed all degree requirements before the degree conferral date. Candidates who are either removed from the May graduation list or re-file for a subsequent degree conferral date will be eligible to participate in Commencement the following May. Students should file for final audit by October 1 for May graduation, June 1 for January completion, or March 1 if the degree is to be completed in August. In addition to the formal University-wide Commencement exercises, each School and College hosts a Convocation Ceremony during the week prior to Commencement.

Replacement Diplomas
Diploma Replacement form
If you have lost or misplaced your original Montclair diploma, or if you would like to replace your diploma with one bearing the name of MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY, send a $45 check or money order (payable to Montclair State University) to:  Office of the Registrar, Montclair State University, 1 Normal Ave.,  Montclair, NJ 07043. Please indicate:

  • Your FULL NAME as it should appear on your diploma, using UPPER and LOWER case letters and appropriate SPACING and PUNCTUATION (first names and surnames must match University records).
  • Your nine digit Student ID Number or your eight digit CWID.
  • Degree earned.
  • Address where diploma is to be mailed.
All replacement diplomas are issued bearing the name of Montclair State University, the date of the original graduation and the signatures of the current Montclair State University President and Board of Trustees Chairperson.The following notation will be printed at the bottom of the replacement diploma: "replacement diploma issued (date of issue)" Please allow 6-8 weeks for the diploma to be sent to you from this office.