Commencement

There are three degree granting periods at HSPH: November, March, and May. To apply for graduation, students must complete the application for degree by clicking on the apply to graduate link on the apply to graduate tab on the MyHSPH portal.

Previously conferred degrees will appear in the Harvard University Commencement Booklet only if the student’s file contains an official transcript from the institution conferring the degree showing the conferral of the degree and the student has not invoked FERPA.

Students expecting to graduate must apply to graduate via the MyHSPH portal by the following dates:

For Diploma Awarded On:	Deadline for Degree Application:	Dissertations Due:
November 6, 2012	September 7, 2012	September 28, 2012
March 5, 2013	January 4, 2013	January 18, 2013
May 30, 2013	February 15, 2013	April 26, 2013

Students who do not expect to attend Commencement may request that their diploma be sent to them at the time they apply to graduate. There is a fee for postage and handling.

Students who fail to comply with the above deadlines will have to apply for the degree in the next granting period.

An academic degree audit by both the HSPH Registrar’s Office and the student’s department occurs shortly after the degree application deadline for degree applicants. The Registrar’s Office also conducts a financial audit.Students who have met all academic and financial requirements will be placed onto the degree list.

All degree candidates must make restitution to HSPH and Harvard University by paying their Student Term Bill and any other financial obligation to the university in full.

Payments due	October 2012	for November degrees
Payments due	February 2013	for March degrees
Payments due	May 2013	for May degrees

Those students who do not pay their Student Term Bill or other financial obligations to the university in full will not have their degree(s) voted until this obligation is met, and approval is granted by the governing board. Graduating students paying the balance late in the semester should obtain a receipt from the Student Billing Office and bring it to the HSPH Registrar’s Office to obtain financial clearance to graduate.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE: November degree candidates who complete their degree requirements by September 12 will not be eligible for health coverage through the HUSHP. Students who register for the fall term and complete their degree requirements after September 14 will be charged for health coverage both the Student Health Fee and the the Student Health Insurance Plan through the HUSHP.

March degree candidates will not be assessed University Health coverage.

Students graduating in November or March should consult the Harvard University Health Services web site and/or with HUHS Member Services (at 617-495-2008 or mservices@huhs.harvard.edu) regarding the HUHS policy on health insurance coverage during your final semester and after graduation.

November, March and May graduates are invited to attend commencement ceremonies at Harvard Yard and at HSPH. All information regarding the commencement ceremony in May is provided through the web at http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/commencement/. This web site (“Commencement Corner”) is available beginning February for the May commencement. It is the graduate’s responsibility to obtain information from this site. The web site is available all year for basic information on the ceremony.

Please note that the process whereby students “apply to graduate” is a separate and distinct process from one’s intention to attend the ceremony. Please see the web site referred to above for more details on attending the ceremony.