Graduation and Degree Requirements

Students must submit an approved Application for Graduation with all required signatures and an application fee, according to the deadlines in the Academic Calendar.

Graduation Application: This Graduation Application is for processing requests for award of a degree or certificate. Processing involves a final review of the student’s records to verify all documentation for degree requirements is collected and will be met at the end of the student's last term. Reviews must be approved by the Graduate or Doctoral Program Director for the student’s program. Students with unresolved issues are emailed to their Molloy account. The Bursar’s Office also does a final review to resolve holds and can provide information on payment plan options. The Graduation Application starts the review process, including diploma, diploma cover and a final transcript. Diplomas and the final transcripts are mailed to the students within a 3-week turnaround from when the term ends.

Student Affairs hosts the annual Commencement Ceremony in May. Other celebratory events are held throughout the year, such as pinning and hooding ceremonies and class nights. Information on participation costs may involve purchasing the cap and gown, photos, etc. Attendance is optional for Commencement. Students and their families are not charged an attendance fee.

Completion of minimum program credit hours, minimum overall program GPA and all specified program requirements:

Business: Master's (M.B.A.), Post Master's and Post Bachelor's: All required coursework and prerequisite knowledge.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Master's: All required coursework, prerequisites, clinical practicum and internship, e-portfolio and passing the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam.
Criminal Justice: Master's: All required coursework and prerequisites.
Education: Master's and Post Master's: Initial Certification Programs require field placement hours and student teaching.
Education: Doctor of Education (Ed.D.): All required coursework and dissertation defense.
Music Therapy; Master's: All required coursework, clinical hours, and prerequisites.
Nursing: Master's and Post Master's: All required coursework and clinical hours.
Nursing: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): All required coursework clinical hours and DNP project defense.
Nursing: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): All required coursework and dissertation defense.
Speech-Language Pathology: All required coursework, prerequisites, and clinical hours.

Academic Years Allowed for Completion of a Graduate School Programs:

Business: Five (5) years - Beyond five (5) years requires Dean's Approval.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Five (5) years
Criminal Justice: Five (5) years
Education: Master's: Five (5) years
Education: Doctor of Education (Ed.D.): Nine (9) years
Music Therapy: Seven (7) years
Nursing: Master's: Seven (7) years
Nursing: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Five (5) years
Nursing: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): Nine (9) years
Speech-Language Pathology: Two (2) years

Academic Standards for Graduate School Programs:

Business: Master's and Post Master's: Maintenance of 3.0 cumulative average. Grades below “B -’’ are not applicable to this degree.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Maintenance of 3.0 cumulative average. Grades below “B -’’ are not applicable to this degree.
Criminal Justice: Maintenance of 3.0 cumulative average. Grades below “B-’’ are not applicable to this degree.
Education: Master's and Post Master's: Maintenance of 3.0 cumulative average. Grades below "B” are not applicable to this degree.
Education: Doctor of Education (Ed.D.): Maintenance of 3.2 cumulative average. Grades below "B" are not applicable to the degree.
Music Therapy: Maintenance of 3.0 cumulative average. Grades below "B -” are not applicable to this degree.
Nursing: Master's and Post Master's: Maintenance of 3.0 cumulative average. Grades below “B ’’ are not applicable to this degree.
Nursing: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Maintenance of 3.0 cumulative average. Grades below "B " are not applicable to this degree.
Nursing: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): Maintenance of. 3.2 cumulative average. Grades below "B -" are not applicable to the degree.
Speech-Language Pathology: Maintenance of 3.0 cumulative average. Grades below “B -’’ are not applicable to this degree.

Master’s and Post Master's Degree Program Requirements:

Successful completion of a research proposal suitable for the conducting of research, a completed thesis, or a comprehensive exam.
Compilation of a Professional Portfolio in all Graduate Education Programs. Evidence of successful completion of all benchmark performances must be included in this portfolio.

Nursing Doctoral Degree Program Requirements:

Requirement information is covered in the Nursing Doctoral Program section of the catalog and the Nursing Ph.D. Program Handbook, the Nursing Doctoral Dissertation Guideline Booklet, and the DNP Handbook.

Education Doctoral Degree Requirements:

Requirement information is covered in the Education Doctoral Program section of the catalog and the Education Doctoral Handbook.

Application for Graduation Request:

Completion of an Application for Graduation is required to initiate the review and approval process for a degree or advanced certificate. The deadlines to apply are in the Academic Calendar.

Note: Students should make certain that their academic records are in proper order at the time they make application for the Master’s degrees, Advance Certificates (Post Bachelor's/Post Master's degrees), or Doctoral degrees. Students must complete all required courses for their program before a degree or certificate will be awarded. Waivers are not given for missing requirements. Students will be deferred to the next degree award period for consideration.