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Conferral of Degrees and Diploma Designation at Niagara University

At Niagara University, we are committed to recognizing the academic achievements of our students in a manner that reflects the high standards of our institution. The conferral of a degree signifies the completion of a NYS state or Ontario provincial approved program of study, embodying a student’s dedication, intellectual growth, and mastery of a specified field of knowledge.

Degree Conferral and Diploma Designation

Upon successful completion of all academic requirements, students are awarded their respective degrees during our formal graduation ceremonies. The diploma issued by the university serves as a ceremonial document certifying the conferral of this degree. It is a symbol of the student’s overall academic achievement and the culmination of their studies at Niagara.  Niagara holds one graduation ceremony annually at the conclusion of the spring semester.  In Lewiston it typically coincides with the weekend following the end of the semester and in Vaughan, Ontario the subsequent week.  These dates are posted annually on the university’s respective academic calendars for both sites.  A placeholder and cover, not the official diploma, is presented at the respective commencement ceremony .   However, degrees are conferred one time per semester and are sent to the students shortly thereafter; a student’s conferral date is the date that the degree is officially granted and the date that appears on both the transcript and the degree.  Conferral Dates are determined as follows:
  • Fall conferral is the Saturday prior to the official start of the spring semester in January.
  • Spring conferral is the Friday after Niagara’s Commencement weekend.
  • Summer conferral occurs 10 days after the completion of the last summer session.

Why Majors Are Not Listed on Diplomas:

The diploma is designed to recognize the conferral of a degree rather than the specific major(s) or concentration(s) a student has pursued.  The diploma is a timeless and universally recognized document that attests to the level of education achieved. By focusing on the degree rather than the specific field of study, the diploma maintains a clean and professional format that is easily understood across different contexts.  Only the degree and the undergraduate latin honors or distinctions such as cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude appear on the Niagara University degree, This practice aligns with the university’s broader academic traditions, with best practices across the country, and serves several important purposes:  Niagara confers only the following degrees:  Associate of Arts, Associate of Applied Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Professional Studies, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Education, Master of Business Administration, and Doctorate of Philosophy By maintaining a consistent format for all diplomas, Niagara ensures that every graduate receives an equal level of recognition, regardless of their chosen field of study. This practice underscores the value of the degree itself among all graduates.

The Official Transcript:

A student’s academic transcript, which is available to the student and can be ordered through Parchment, offers a detailed record of the specific courses taken, grades earned, degrees conferred, and any major(s), minor(s), or concentration(s) completed. This document is the most appropriate and detailed representation of a student’s specialized academic work.  An official transcript is one that is sent directly from Niagara University to the designated recipient.  If a student receives a transcript from Niagara University and passes that on to another institution, that college may not accept it as official. While the diploma is a ceremonial representation of the conferral of the degree, we encourage graduates to use their official transcripts and other academic records to highlight their specific areas of expertise when needed.
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