Graduation Information

Graduation Application Information (Deadlines and Steps):

  • *Candidates for Spring, Summer, and Fall must submit a graduation application in February of that year.
  • *Winter candidates must submit a graduation application by December of the previous year.
  • Only matriculated students are eligible to apply for graduation.
  • The Office of Records and Registration oversees graduation documents (diplomas and TCNJ certificates). Please allow 6-8 weeks after your commencement date to receive these documents.

Graduation candidates MUST do the following before receiving graduation documents:

*Students who do not adhere to the graduation application deadline risk having their TCNJ documents, including diplomas and certificates, delayed.

Graduation Documents Issued:

TCNJ Diploma

All M.Ed. and MA candidates are eligible to receive a TCNJ diploma upon program completion. Students apply for graduation through PAWS. All diplomas are processed and disseminated by the Office of Records & Registration. Please allow 6-8 weeks after your commencement date to receive this document.

TCNJ Certificate

All candidates completing a certificate program (domestic or global) are eligible to receive a TCNJ Certificate, issued by the Office of Records and Registration. Candidates must apply for graduation through PAWS to be eligible to receive a TCNJ Certificate. Please allow 6-8 weeks after your commencement date to receive this document.

Certificate of Qualification (CQ) – Global Students

The Certificate of Qualification is a TCNJ graduation document developed by the School of Education, verifying successful completion of a TCNJ certificate global program. Candidates must apply for graduation through PAWS to be eligible to receive a CQ. Please allow 6-8 weeks after your commencement date to receive this document.

Letter of Program Completion Request

Off-Site and Online Programs (OSOP) will send an electronic letter of completion once your degree has been posted. If students need a TCNJ letter of completion, please email osgp@tcnj.edu with your request.

Global Counseling Students (US Citizens) ONLY

Upon program completion, Counseling candidates who are US citizens may apply for certification through the NJDOE. For questions concerning certification, please consult your academic advisor.

NJ-Domestic Program (ESL and Ed. Leadership) 

Students completing an NJ Domestic OSOP Certificate Program (ESL initial certification, Bilingual Endorsement (initial or standard), or EdL Supervisor Certification may be eligible to apply for their certification with TCNJ’s Certification Office. (To ensure you complete the correct application, please consult your academic advisor before completing/submitting it.)

TCNJ Transcripts

The official transcript is The College of New Jersey’s certified statement of a student’s academic record and can be ordered through PAWS or the Office of Records and Registration. The official transcript features the College seal and the signature of the Director of Records and Registration, listing all enrolled courses, grades, academic terms, programs of study, and conferred degrees.

Graduation Mailing Information

Mailing Information

  • The Office of Records and Registration oversees graduation documents (diplomas and TCNJ certificates).
  • For students living overseas in locations where the USPS cannot deliver, OSOP will work with the Office of Records and Registration to coordinate the procurement and distribution of graduation documents. Please contact osgp@tcnj.edu for requests and next steps.

When will graduation documents be mailed?

All graduation documents are issued and disseminated by the Office of Records and Registration. Please allow 6-8 weeks after your commencement date to receive your graduation document(s).


Student Request for Notarized Document(s) or Apostille

Students seeking to have their graduation documents notarized and/or have an Apostille affixed should email OSOP at osgp@tcnj.edu with their request. Note: TCNJ does not provide Apostille services. DORES issues all Apostilles.

Students may incur shipping and handling (S&H) costs for these services, depending on their location.