Academic Records

Diplomas

Question:

When will I receive my diploma?

Answer:

Each student will receive notification to their Hofstra email address when their diploma has been ordered. This email will contain instructions on how to claim a digital credential for immediate use and ask that graduates confirm their delivery address for the physical diploma. Diplomas that are delivered to the Office of Academic Records and Registrar by special student request can be picked up during business hours in Room 207 Memorial Hall once received. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Summer hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Question:

How will I know if I have met all requirements for graduation?

Answer:

In addition to speaking with an adviser, undergraduates may check their degree audit via the Hofstra Portal to determine progress toward completion of degree requirements.

  • For students entering fall 2013, their requirements will be in the DegreeWorks degree audit system only.
  • For students who entered in the years of 2012-2013 and 2011-2012, their requirements can be viewed using both the DegreeWorks system and the DAR system.
  • For students who entered in 2010-2011 or earlier, their requirements can be viewed using the DAR system only.

The Office of Academic Records will notify students who have applied for graduation and have not met their requirements. Students will be mailed an early warning notice indicating any requirements that are lacking.

Question:

I transferred credits to Hofstra from another university or from more than one school. Will I be eligible for honors?

Answer:

If you earn at least 60 credits in residency at Hofstra University, you will be eligible to receive your Baccalaureate Degree with distinction. For this purpose only, if you did not take at least 82 credits in residency at Hofstra, your transfer credit GPA will be considered in conjunction with your Hofstra GPA when calculating the GPA necessary for the various honors levels.

For the GPA requirements of the levels of distinction, click here.

Question:

How will the transfer GPA calculations affect my honors level?

Answer:

Only the credits and quality points from prior schools’ courses that are accepted by Hofstra are added to the student’s Hofstra credits and quality points to determine the combined GPA. In all cases, the student’s combined GPA must equal at least 3.6 in order for a student to graduate with distinction. If the combined GPA is higher than the Hofstra GPA, the level of honors is determined by the Hofstra GPA. If the combined GPA is lower than the Hofstra GPA, the level of honors are determined by the combined GPA. The level of honors is based on the lower of the two GPAs, Hofstra’s or the combined.

Question:

Can you give me an example of transfer GPA calculations?

Answer:

If you earn at least 82 credits in residency at Hofstra, only your Hofstra GPA will be considered when determining your level of distinction. If you earn between 60 and 82 credits at Hofstra, we will consider the other schools’ GPA to determine the level.

Example 1

Other schools: GPA 3.7
Hofstra: GPA 3.9
Combined: GPA 3.8
Honors: magna cum laude – since the combined GPA is lower than the Hofstra GPA, the level of honors is determined by the combined GPA (3.8)

Example 2

Other schools: GPA 3.9
Hofstra: GPA 3.7
Combined: GPA 3.8
Honors: cum laude – since the combined GPA is higher than the Hofstra GPA, the level of honors is determined by the Hofstra GPA (3.7)

Question:

I am completing my graduation requirements but not attending classes. Do I need to complete any paperwork?

Answer:

Students who have been granted permission to complete final semester graduation requirements while not attending classes must pay a Maintain Matriculation fee, and file a registration card during the regular registration period for their final semester.

All students are required to file an Application for Graduation in the Office of Academic Records, Room 207 Memorial Hall, in accordance with the dates below:

Undergraduate Candidates

  • Candidates for May graduation must file by October 1. Applications received after October 1 are subject to a $25.00 fee. Applications received after March 1 are subject to a $50.00 fee.
  • Candidates for August graduation must file by March 1. Applications received after March 1 are subject to a $25.00 fee. Applications received after August 15 are subject to a $50.00 fee.
  • Candidates for December graduation must file by May 1. Applications received after May 1 are subject to a $25.00 fee. Applications received after October 1 are subject to a $50.00 fee.

Graduate Candidates

  • Candidates for May graduation must file by March 1. Applications received after March 1 are subject to a $25.00 fee.
  • Candidates for August graduation (no ceremony) must file by June 15 (if they are attending Summer Session I), July 15 (if they are attending Summer Session II), or August 15 (if they are attending Summer Session III). Applications received after these dates are subject to a $25.00 fee.
  • Candidates for December graduation must file by October 1. Applications received after October 1 are subject to a $25.00 fee.

Students will receive information from the Commencement Office, 516-463-4346, regarding time, tickets, cap and gowns, etc.

Replacement Diplomas

Once a student has graduated from Hofstra, a replacement diploma or certificate with a name other than the name shown on the original diploma or certificate will be ordered upon request, if the student can provide proper documentation that they were entitled to use the proposed name change on or before the date of graduation.

A completed Diploma Replacement Form may be submitted to the Office of Academic Records, Room 207 Memorial Hall, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If the student does not have or cannot print out a Diploma Replacement Form, the following information may be submitted in writing:

  • Name
  • Name if different when attended
  • Student ID#
  • Degree received
  • Date degree was granted
  • Address to send diploma
  • Signature

The fee is $35.00. Check or money order (made payable to Hofstra University) must be sent to:

Office of Academic Records
Room 207 Memorial Hall
126 Hofstra University
Hempstead, NY 11549-1260

Unless the original diploma is returned, the following statement will be printed on the bottom of the replacement diploma:

THIS DOCUMENT IS ISSUED (date) AS A REPLACEMENT FOR THE ORIGINAL DIPLOMA

Replacement diplomas require approximately six to eight weeks for printing.

Degree With Distinction

The University will confer the graduate degree with distinction on students who have attained a minimum grade point average of 3.75 with at least 80 percent of the credits for the degree earned at Hofstra.