Information for Graduating Students

For information on May commencement activities, go to the commencement website.

Lesley offers four conferral periods per academic year (February, May, August, and November).

The online declaration of intent to graduate form is available at all times, but as each of the above deadlines passes, it will no longer be possible to file for that conferral period.

Declaration of Intent to Graduate on LOIS

Log on to LOIS to declare your intent to graduate. Follow the prompts:

1. Click the checkbox under Choose One to indicate the academic program from which you plan to graduate.
2. Click Submit.
3. Enter the exact name you want on your diploma.
   Pay attention: this field defaults to your title, first name, middle initial, and last name, e.g. Mr. Mickey M. Mouse. You must enter the correct diploma name, and remove your title in this field!
4. If you want your diploma sent to an address other than your usual mailing address, enter that address information in the appropriate fields.
   Keep in mind that this does not change your permanent mailing address; if you need to change your mailing address permanently, go to myLesley and use the change form at "my account preferences."
5. From the drop-down list, choose the date on which you plan to graduate.
6. Click Submit.
7. The system will process the information you’ve entered and return a confirmation notice on the next screen. Click OK.

This process automatically generates a $125 degree completion fee, which will be billed to your student account.

Degree Completion Fee

The degree completion fee is $125 (subject to change), and will be billed to your student account when the declaration of intent to graduate is filed online.

Late Filing Fee

The degree completion fee for declarations of intent received in the Office of the University Registrar after the published deadline is $250. Due to publication deadlines, the names of students who file for May graduation after the published deadline will not be included in the commencement program. Students who file after the deadline will be unable to file online and must submit a late filing form, along with the $250.00 late filing fee.

Important Notes

• You are only eligible for graduation and allowed to participate in commencement activities if

• the declaration of intent to graduate is completed by the appropriate deadline;
• all degree requirements are satisfactorily completed;
• and all financial obligations to Lesley University, including library and parking obligations, have been met. The Check Holds feature is available on LOIS to confirm that you have no outstanding student account obligations.

• The declaration of intent to graduate must be filed online regardless of whether or not you intend to participate in the commencement ceremony.
• Your intent to graduate record will be moved to the next conferral period only once if you do not finish your requirements. No additional deferrals will be permitted; a new declaration of intent must be submitted, and a new fee will be billed to your student account.
• You are not eligible for graduation during the same semester that official admission to Lesley University is granted. There must be a minimum of one full semester between official admission and the date of graduation.
• Detailed information on Lesley's May commencement can be found on the commencement website. A commencement information packet is mailed to all candidates who file within the application deadline.

Completion Deadlines

February conferral candidates must complete all coursework no later than January 25.

May graduation candidates: expect to do accelerated coursework during the final semester, since all grades--including outstanding incomplete grades--will be due two weeks prior to the scheduled graduation date.

August conferral candidates must complete all coursework no later than July 25.

November conferral candidates must complete all coursework no later than October 25.

Please see the Academic Calendar for deadline dates for upcoming conferrals.

Academic Responsibilities

• You are responsible for checking your unofficial transcript on LOIS and contacting your academic or program advisor to review the transcript for completion of degree requirements. This should be done at the same time the declaration of intent to graduate is filed.
• Transfer and life-experience portfolio credit and course-waiver procedures must be completed prior to the beginning of the final semester before anticipated graduation.