Candidates for degrees must declare their candidacy by filing a diploma card with the Office of the Registrar in accordance with the following schedule: 

• January graduation—file on or before June 1 
• May graduation—file on or before December 1
• August graduation—file on or before February 1.

Diploma cards may be obtained at the Office of the Registrar (ADM 233).  Diploma cards should be filed as long as there is a reasonable certainty that all degree requirements will be satisfied prior to the graduation date. Diploma cards received after the deadline may not be processed.

Graduation With Honors: At Commencement, baccalaureate degrees with honors will be conferred on students who have earned a minimum of 90 credits at the College as follows:

• Summa cum laude on students who have a cumulative index of 3.9;
• Magna cum laude on students who have a cumulative index of 3.7;
• Cum laude on students who have a cumulative index of 3.5.

Graduation With Honors for Transfer Students:

A. If transfer students have earned 90 credits for the B.A. or 96 credits for the B.S. (exclusive of challenge exams and experiential learning credits) at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, and have maintained cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, they are eligible for graduation with honors.

B. If transfer students have not taken 90 credits for the B.A. or 96 credits for the B.S. of their credits for graduation (120-126) at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, their cumulative index for all courses accepted in transfer must be the equivalent of requirements for honors distinction at Mount Saint Vincent cumulative index in order to graduate with honors. (That is, students’ transfer credit index as well as the index earned at the College of Mount Saint Vincent must equal the minimum requirements for honors distinction.)

C. Students who have met the requirements for a second baccalaureate degree and satisfy the requirements listed in A and B above will receive the following distinction:

• Summa cum laude  for a cumulative index of 3.9;
• Magna cum laude for a cumulative index of 3.7;
• Cum laude for cumulative index of 3.5.

Awards and Medals:

Cardinal Cooke Memorial Award. Founded by the Archdiocese of New York. Awarded to the senior who has maintained the highest scholastic standing during the four-year collegiate course.

Marjorie Connelly Award. Founded by the administration, faculty and students in memory of a former Director of Continuing Education. Awarded to a student  matriculating through the Office of Graduate Studies and Adult Education for outstanding academic achievement.

Doris Smith, S.C. Award. Founded by the faculty, administration, and staff in honor of the former College president. Awarded to the student with the highest index in the Core Curriculum.

John XXIII Award. Founded by Cardinal Spellman in 1963. Awarded for responsible campus leadership.

Margaret Catterson McKee Award. Founded by Joseph V. McKee, former Mayor of New York City, in memory of his mother. Awarded for volunteer service both on and off campus.

Joseph McGoldrick Memorial Award. Founded by Ann Nugent McGoldrick ’27, in memory of her husband, Dr. Joseph McGoldrick. Awarded to an outstanding biology major.

Susanne Breckel, R.S.M. Memorial Award .Awarded to the outstanding communication major.

Marjorie Walsh, S.C. Memorial Award. Founded by friends and former students.

Elizabeth Marian Murray, S.C. Award.  Founded by the English faculty of the College in memory of its former Chair and Professor of English.  Awarded for excellence in writing to an outstanding writing minor.

Solange Bruneau Mally Memorial Award. Founded by Michelle Mally in memory of her mother, an alumna and a former French faculty member. Awarded to an outstanding French or modern foreign language major.

Dr. Mary C. Stuart Award. Founded by the administration, faculty, and staff of Mount Saint Vincent to commemorate Dr. Stuart’s inauguration as President of the College. Awarded to an outstanding history major.

Kathleen P. Knowles Award. Founded by faculty, alumnae/alumni and friends of the Department of Nursing in honor of the former Academic Vice President. Awarded to a student in nursing for outstanding academic achievement.

Margaret Broderick Memorial Award. Founded by Bishop Edwin B. Broderick in memory of his mother. Awarded to an outstanding psychology major.

Patrick J. Broderick Memorial Award. Founded by Bishop Edwin B. Broderick in memory of his father. Awarded to an outstanding student in teacher education.