Walking at Commencement Policy

I. PURPOSE 

New York Medical College (NYMC) confers degrees three (3) times during the year: in May, August and December. However, the formal Commencement ceremony is held only once, in May. The purpose of this policy is to define which Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBMS) students are eligible to participate in the May Commencement Exercises at NYMC.

II. POLICY

GSBMS students may participate in the formal May Commencement Exercises at NYMC under the following conditions.

A. Students who have completed all degree requirements, including the submission of approved Master’s literature reviews, Master’s theses, or doctoral dissertations are eligible to participate; or

B. Students who graduated in the previous two (2) terms (August or December).

Students are only eligible to participate in Commencement once. If a student chooses not to attend the ceremony during their eligible year, they will not be permitted to participate in a future ceremony.

III. SCOPE

This policy applies to all students in the GSBMS at NYMC.

IV. DEFINITIONS

NYMC: New York Medical College
GSBMS: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Ph.D.: Doctor of Philosophy Degree

V. PROCEDURES

A. May graduates must apply for graduation in order to be eligible to participate in the May Commencement Exercises.

B. May graduates must submit an approved Master’s literature review, Master’s thesis, or doctoral dissertation by April 1.

C. Students who graduated in August or December of the previous year must indicate their intention to participate in the May ceremony. Their names will be listed in the Commencement Program, with a footnote indicating, "August or December [commencement year] Graduate."

VI. EFFECTIVE DATE 

This policy shall be effective immediately.

VII. POLICY MANAGEMENT

Executive Stakeholder: Dean, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Oversight Office: Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Dean’s Office