Frequently Asked Questions — Commencement/Graduation

NCCU School of Library and Information Sciences

This page contains a list of frequently asked questions. If your question isn’t answered here, you can search the SLIS Website using the search box on the left side of this page or contact the

  • When is NCCU’s commencement?NCCU holds two commencement ceremonies — in December and in May. When the exact date of commencement has been announced, we will post the information to the SLIS Website and to the student list.

  • Graduation is when the Registrar confirms and approves that you meet the requirements for the degree. It is noted officially in the transcript. The diploma is ceremonial. For students who meet the requirements to graduate, you should use your transcript to confirm that you have earned your degree. The transcript is the only official certification of your graduation.. The transcript will say that you earned your degree.

  • The Registrar is able to provide an official transcript with the notation of graduation for August graduates will be about 2 weeks after the semester ends.  So if you meet the requirements in August, then you are an August graduate.

  • Also, NCCU confirms that students meet the requirements for graduation for the Fall, Spring and Summer semester. NCCU permits students to graduate in August. The application opens in June.  However, there are only 2 commencement ceremonies, December and May. August graduates can participate in the December commencement ceremony. Diplomas are ceremonial and distributed in December for summer and fall graduates and May commencement ceremonies for spring graduates. 

  • Where do I get a cap and gown for the commencement ceremony?Students can rent or purchase robes for graduation through the NCCU book store.
  • I will not be able to attend NCCU’s commencement service. Will the University mail my diploma to me?Yes, but you must contact the Registrar’s Office to have your diploma mailed. Please contact Ms. Iris Hicks by phone at 919-530-6257 or by email at ihicks@nccu.edu.
  • Does NCCU SLIS have graduation with honors? Yes, NCCU SLIS has three levels of graduation with honors. Summa cum laude requires a 4.00 GPA, magna cum laude requires a 3.90, and cum laude requires a 3.75. NCCU SLIS also nominates a certain number of MLS graduates for membership in Beta Phi Mu, the national honor society for library science graduates.
  • Does NCCU SLIS have a graduation checklist? Yes, NCCU SLIS has a list for Fall 2010 available here .