Graduation vs. Commencement
Graduation is the completion of all requirements for your certificate or degree as recorded on your official transcript.
Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates the completion of your degree or certificate. Graduates who choose to participate in commencement are recognized with family and friends in a special ceremony at the Thomas and Mack Center.
*Note - Participation in the Commencement Ceremony does not guarantee degree completion or graduation from CSN. The official degree is conferred upon verification of the student’s transcript, indicating fulfillment of the declared major.
Applicants for all three graduating terms will receive detailed information about the commencement ceremonies via email and regular mail.
Are you close to graduating?
We cannot wait to celebrate your success!
Graduating students are urged to mark their calendars for the upcoming 2024 Commencement Ceremony. The event, held annually at the close of the spring semester, celebrates the achievements of bachelor’s, associate degree, and certificate recipients. Eligible candidates include those who completed their studies during the summer and fall of the previous year, as well as the spring of the current year.
Congratulations! Here’s what you need to know to ensure a smooth graduation process.
Requirements to receive a certificate or diploma.
Review your degree audit to make sure it’s complete. Contact an Academic Advisor with any questions.
Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, unless otherwise noted.
Have no holds or past due financial balances within NSHE.
The following degrees are awarded upon successful completion of all requirements:
- Bachelor of Applied Science
- Bachelor of Science
- Associate of Arts
- Associate of Applied Science
- Associate of Business
- Associate of General Studies
- Associate of Science
- Certificate of Achievement
Catalog Year
Students must meet degree or certificate course requirements listed in the CSN catalog to graduate. The selected catalog cannot be more than six years old at the time of graduation for students receiving an associate degree or certificate, and not more than ten years old at the time of graduation for students receiving a baccalaureate degree. Students must:
- Select the catalog under which the student first completed CSN courses, or
- Select the catalog under which the student officially declared or changed major, or
- Select the catalog under which the student will complete the curriculum requirements for a baccalaureate degree or an associate degree or certificate of achievement, or
- Select a degree that is offered for the first time after the student has enrolled. The student must choose the catalog year in which the degree or major was first offered.
Schedule an appointment to meet with an Academic Advisor if you are unsure of your catalog year.
When To Apply
You can apply for graduation in the semester you intend to complete your program. For example, if you wish to graduate at the end of the fall semester, you can apply when fall registration opens. All students applying for graduation are required to submit a graduation application through MyCSN by the appropriate deadline.
Meet With Advising
It’s imperative to consult with an Academic Advisor before your final semester to verify that all graduation requirements will be fulfilled.
Apply to Graduate
Once your academic requirements are verified, submit your graduation application via MyCSN. For assistance, reach out to the Graduation Team at graduation@csn.edu.