(Please note:  Students enrolled in Division of Extended Learning graduate programs or in the School of Education Doctoral Program should refer to their program’s home page as policies and procedures may differ from those listed here.)

Graduation 

Preparing to Graduate:

Upon registering for your final semester, you should submit your petition to graduate. 

The following deadlines apply for petition submission:

  • March 1           if planning to complete degree in May (Spring)
  • May 1              if planning to complete degree in June (Summer I)
  • July 1              if planning to complete degree in August (Summer II or III)
  • October 1       if planning to complete degree in December (Fall)

Petitions submitted past the deadline will be processed for the following semester.

Petitions are available in many locations:

Petitions may be submitted:

  • By US Mail:
    Academic Services Office H102C
    Holy Family University
    9801 Frankford Avenue
    Philadelphia, PA 19114

  • In person:
    Academic Services Office H102C
    Newtown Reception Desk

  • By Fax: (215) 637-1478

Once your petition is received and you have registered for your final semester, your exit interview paperwork will be prepared by the Academic Affairs Coordinator and, if all is in order, submitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs for approval.  Upon approval, you will receive written confirmation that you have been added to the graduation list.

If you do not receive a letter indicating you have been added to the graduation list within three weeks of registering for your final semester, please confirm receipt of your petition by contacting Julie Tangradi, (267) 341-3209.

Degree Audit Program Evaluation:
You may check your degree progress or predict how your coursework will fit into another program using the Degree Evaluation link via WebAdvisor.

Degree Audit Program Evaluation is an electronic advising tool that lists the courses required to graduate for a student in their particular major.  In addition, the tool can be used by students to determine an unofficial evaluation for the question ‘What if I changed my major?’ 

How to access the Degree Audit Program Evaluation:
Log in to your WebAdvisor account. Under the ‘Academic Profile’ section, select the Program Evaluation.  To run your current program evaluation, click the checkbox next to your current program and submit.  The report generated lists all the courses that are required for graduation and where the classes you have taken meet those requirements. 

If you are considering a change in program and would like to view how your coursework fits into the new program, you would simply select the desired major from the drop down box located on the Program Evaluation home page.  The report generated will show you how the classes you have taken will meet the requirements for the desired major.  [Please note that this is an unofficial evaluation.]

If you believe your Degree Evaluation to be inaccurate, please contact Julie Tangradi at jtangradi@holyfamily.edu.

When will my degree appear on my official transcript?
Once final grades are posted and verified, the Registrar posts degrees to academic records.  If you need an official transcript confirming your degree, you may request one from the Registrar’s Office.  Make sure you check the box on the form that reads “Hold for degree posting.”

If all academic and financial (including payment of the graduation fee) obligations have been fulfilled AND you are graduating in June, August or December, your diploma will be sent to you from the Registrar’s Office.

If all academic and financial (including payment of the graduation fee) obligations have been fulfilled AND you are graduating in May, your diploma will be available following Commencement exercises at the Kimmel Center.  If you do not attend Commencement, your diploma may be picked up at the Registrar’s Office or will be sent to you.

COMMENCEMENT:

Commencement is held in May at the Kimmel Center.  There are separate ceremonies for graduate and undergraduate students.

Once your petition is approved, you must REGISTER (THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS PETITIONING) on-line using the link above to acquire tickets and academic attire. 

Tickets:
Regular ticket distribution:
Graduates do not need tickets, but all guests (including children) do. 
Graduates will be given a maximum of six (6) guest tickets.

Extra tickets:
Requests for extra tickets must be made while completing the online response form.
A limited number may be available AFTER regular ticket distribution.
There is a two (2) extra ticket limit.

Handicapped Guests Tickets:
Special seating is available for guests using a wheelchair, walker or crutches.  The handicapped guest ticket is included in the six (6) ticket maximum.

Students must pick up guest tickets in person and are required to show photo identification when picking up tickets.  Tickets will not be mailed.  Lost or stolen tickets cannot be replaced.

Academic Attire:
Academic attire must be ordered online.  You may pick up your attire at the Bookstore according to the posted schedule on the Commencement Web link.  Caps and gowns are not available at the Kimmel Center.

Graduates should arrive at the Kimmel Center no later than 45 minutes preceding the ceremony. 
Graduates will be directed to the designated dressing area upon arrival.

Graduates should not bring personal possessions into Verizon Hall.  No flowers should be worn until after the ceremony and no balloons, horns or noisemakers are permitted.

Only handheld video cameras are permitted.
 
Guest should be seated in Verizon Hall at least 20 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.

Commencement may be viewed live at www.holyfamily.edu .

(Please note:  Students enrolled in Division of Extended Learning graduate programs or in the School of Education Doctoral Program should refer to their program’s home page as policies and procedures may differ from those listed here.)