Commencement

SVA is offering the Class of 2021 the opportunity to order graduation regalia (caps and gowns) online. If you did not place an order prior to the Commencement ceremony, the site will reopen for regalia ordering from June 7 - 13, 2021. Please click here to place an order.

Each student is permitted one set of garments for graduation. Your complimentary regalia order includes a cap and gown. All orders will require your sva.edu email address for processing, and orders will be shipped directly to the address of your choosing. Please be advised that some international destinations have placed restrictions on incoming mail, so delays may be possible. For those countries affected, visit usps.com

If you experience issues with the site or miss out on ordering your regalia before the site closes, please reach out to commencement@sva.edu for assistance.

Due to production processing times, we anticipate that diplomas will be shipped shortly after July 1, 2021. Diplomas shipped to international addresses may take additional time to arrive.

Diplomas will be shipped to the address indicated on your application for graduation. If your mailing address has changed, please contact commencement@sva.edu.

Students taking required coursework in the summer semester will receive their diplomas after September 1, 2021.

If you need confirmation of degree completion before your diploma arrives, you may request one of the following:

• Official Transcript - your transcript will display your earned degrees. Our eTranscript service provides PDF copies of your transcript delivered to any email address within the same day.

• Letter of Verification - we can provide an enrollment verification letter, printed on SVA letterhead, which indicates the terms you were enrolled at SVA and all degrees earned. You can request a letter in MyServices.

Please keep in mind that degrees will not be posted to official transcripts until the week of May 24. Degrees will be posted after September 1 for students who are completing required coursework in the summer 2021 semester.

1) If I have a question regarding my diploma, whom should I contact?

You must contact the Office of Academic Advisement at 212.592.2540.

2) Whom may I contact for additional Commencement information?

Continue to review this Commencement section of the website thoroughly.

If you are still having trouble locating the information you need, please call the Office of Academic Advisement at 212.592.2540.

1) Who is eligible to participate in the ceremony?

Master and Bachelor candidates.

2) If I am not eligible, but still want to participate in the ceremony, what do I do?

You must put your request in writing before April 8 to: A. Lucky Checkley, Jr., Director of Academic Advisement at lcheckley@sva.edu. Your request will be reviewed in-committee. You will be informed of the decision within two weeks of your request.

3) What clearances do I have to obtain in order to graduate?

Complete an online degree application, meet with your Academic Advisor, Student Advisor, Assistant to the Chair, or Director of Operations before February 19, 2021.

• Submit documentation of Portfolio/Thesis for SVA archives to the department chair before April 30, 2021.
• Pay all financial obligations owed to the College by April 30, 2021.
• If you have received any type of guaranteed student loan through the school, you need an exit interview clearance from the Office of Financial Aid.
• Return all books to the library by May 4, 2021.
• Complete all credits and required courses by May 4, 2021.

4) Who do I contact if I have doubts regarding my academic standing?

Master candidates should contact their student advisor, or assistant to the chair.

Bachelor candidates should contact their academic advisor.

Candidates must sign in to MyServices using your MySVA username and password. Click on Graduation Overview, fill out and submit the online graduation application form. Click here for detailed instructions.

Must meet with their Academic Advisor to ensure that their credits and departmental requirements are in order for graduation.

Must meet with their Student Advisor, Assistant to the Chair or Director of Operations to ensure that their credits and departmental requirements are in order for graduation.