Graduation Guidelines

Eligibility

Students with the following Expected Graduation Term in COIN will be eligible to apply for graduation based on the following:

Expected graduation term	Application deadline	Degree conferral date
2024 Fall	12/31/2024	1/31/2025
2025 Spring	4/1/2025	5/16/2025
2025 Summer	4/1/2025	8/31/2025

How to apply

Step 1: Review your Academic Requirements

If you have not done so already, review your Advisement Report and transcript in COIN, or request a degree audit in the LEC to ensure that you are on target to meet all program requirements. In addition to program requirements, you must satisfy the Law School graduation requirements.

Step 2: Log in to your COIN Student Center (Mobile View) to verify your expected graduation term

Select COIN Student Center > My Advising Center > Academic Summary to view your expected graduation term.
If your expected graduation term is correct, proceed to Step 3 below.
If your expected graduation term/year is incorrect, please update your expected graduation term via your COIN Student Center:
- Select the My eForms dropdown.
- Select Change Expected Graduation.
- Under New Expected Graduation, enter the term you will complete your program and university requirements. Then, select submit.

Please note: If you are completing your requirements in Fall 2025 through Summer 2026 terms, you will apply for graduation beginning in October 2025 and participate in the 2026 Commencement Ceremony.

Step 3: Apply for graduation in COIN

Log into your COIN Student Center using MOBILE VIEW.
Select My Academics > Graduation > Apply for Graduation.
Select Apply for Graduation, then select UMDAR Graduation Survey.
Upon completion of the survey, select Apply for Graduation.
Select Continue.
Select Submit Application.
Return to My Academics > Graduation > View My Graduation Status. Review the information carefully.

Degree name

Degree Name is the name that will appear on your diploma/certificate. If there is no Degree Name added, your Primary Name will be used.

To add or change a degree name, go to COIN Student Center > Personal Information > Names.
Click on Edit if name type already exists and update as appropriate.
If name type does not exist, select Add a new name and update Degree Name fields as appropriate.

Diploma address

Your Diploma address is where your diploma/certificate will be mailed. If there is no Diploma Address listed in COIN, your diploma/certificate will be mailed to your Mailing Address as listed in COIN. If there is no Mailing Address listed in COIN, your diploma/certificate will be mailed to your Permanent Address as listed in COIN. So please be sure to check this information in COIN.

To add or change the address your diploma/certificate will be mailed to, please add a "Diploma Address" through COIN:

Go to COIN Student Center > Personal Information > Addresses.
Select Add a New Address to enter the address then select “Diploma” as the address type.

If you experience any issues with applying or do not plan to graduate in 2025, please contact the Law Enrollment Center, LEC@umassd.edu

Summer graduates

If you will not complete your degree requirements by the spring semester but wish to participate in the May Commencement Ceremony, you must meet the following conditions:

A Law (JD) candidate may participate in the Spring commencement Ceremony only if they (a) need nine or fewer credits to complete all degree requirements; (b) are registered by commencement day for summer term courses that would satisfy their remaining credits; and (c) are expected to complete any other graduation requirements by the end of the summer term. Law (JD) degree candidates who will not complete all degree requirements by commencement day but seek this option are required to submit the Permission to Participate in Commencement form along with required college dean signature and, if applicable, proof of summer registration to the Registrar’s Office.

After you apply

You may view your application status at My Academics > Graduation > View My Graduation Status. Your status will change as your application is processed:

Graduation application status	Description
Applied for graduation	Your application has been received but not yet reviewed by the Registrar's office.
Eligible for graduation	Your application for fall or winter term has not been submitted and you must submit your application immediately.
Needs to finish pending work	Additional information required by student and/or department to determine eligibility for graduation.
Application in review by department	Your application has been reviewed by the Registrar's Office and you have been identified as a prospective graduate based on the number of potential earned credits and GPA. Important: Your status will remain"in review" until you have been certified by your academic department beginning on your degree conferral date.
Contact your department (LEC)	Your application was denied based on the number of earned credits, GPA, and/or other missing program requirements. Contact your academic department for assistance.
Degree awarded	Your department has certified that all requirements have been met and your degree has been recorded on transcript.

Process

The degree certification review process will begin on your degree conferral date, following the completion of your final semester as well as finalization of all semester grades. All graduating students’ records will then be individually reviewed by the appropriate academic departments for certification that all degree requirements have been fulfilled. Due to the significant number of graduates, the review and certification process may take several weeks. Once your degree has been reviewed and approved by your department, the Registrar's Office will award the degree, and it will be reflected on your transcript. Please check your unofficial transcript through COIN to verify that your degree has been awarded. Once your degree has been awarded, you may request an official transcript from the National Student Clearinghouse as proof of your degree conferral.

Diploma

Diploma ordering begins approximately 8 weeks after the degree conferral date for students whose degrees have been awarded. Therefore, please allow 14-16 weeks for ordering, processing, and delivery of your diploma. Your Diploma address is where your diploma/certificate will be mailed. If there is no Diploma Address listed in COIN, your diploma/certificate will be mailed to your Mailing Address as listed in COIN. If there is no Mailing Address listed in COIN, your diploma/certificate will be mailed to your Permanent Address as listed in COIN. So please be sure to check this information in COIN.

Important note

Diplomas will not be released if your degree has not been certified and posted to your transcript. You should check your graduation status and transcript through COIN to verify your degree has been awarded. In addition, all financial holds must be resolved before a diploma and/or official transcript can be released by the University.

Other important university/degree requirements

Confirm your personal information is current in COIN (i.e. degree/diploma name, diploma/permanent address, personal email address, etc.).
Clear all financial obligations to the university, including but not limited to: full payment of your entire university bill, emergency loans, parking violations, borrowed library books, electronic equipment, and sports equipment. All borrowed university property must be returned to the appropriate place, and any late fees must be paid. Check your COIN account regularly for holds.
Complete your Federal Direct Loan exit counseling requirements with UMass Law Financial Aid Services: Federal Unsubsidized and/or Graduate PLUS borrowers: Federal Student Aid
Complete your career services post-graduation planning appointment and graduation placement survey.
PILF recipients: Complete your exit interview, post-graduation includes a four-year public interest law employment commitment.
Learn about the UMass Law Alumni Association. Once you graduate, make sure you stay up to date: