Graduates are required to apply for graduation prior to Commencement. Students who have applied for graduation and have completed all degree requirements during the previous summer, fall, and the current spring semester are eligible to participate in the spring Commencement ceremony. Contact the Office of the Registrar at 336-721-2670 or registrar@salem.edu if you have questions about your eligibility.
Graduates will not be able to participate in the ceremony or receive their transcripts or diploma if there is a balance on their student account. Students should review their account before graduation to ensure they will receive their diploma or transcripts. Contact the Salem College Business Office at businessoffice@salem.edu with questions. Once the account is settled, students should send an email notifying the Registrar’s Office at registrar@salem.edu so that their diploma can be ordered.
Undergraduate and graduate diplomas will be mailed to graduates over the summer. Following a long-standing Salem tradition, diplomas are in Latin. There is not another version of the diploma. An English translation will be provided. Diplomas are 7”x 9”. If the address needs to be updated, please notify registrar@salem.edu.
Latin graduation honors are awarded in accord with the following graduation G.P.A. listed below. Grade point averages are not rounded up. A transfer student must have completed 30 semester hours at Salem to be eligible for Latin honors. Waived courses do not count toward the required 54 semester hours at Salem College. Latin honors are based on the following GPA’s: cum laude: 3.500 - 3.699; magna cum laude: 3.700 - 3.899; summa cum laude: 3.900 - 4.000
To graduate with Departmental Honors (honors in a major), a student must complete two Honors Independent Study courses (3 semester hours each, minimum) in that major, be recommended by their department and maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.50 or above in the discipline.
There are three components in the College Honors Program: Honors courses in the academic disciplines, interdisciplinary seminars and Honors Independent Study courses. In order to graduate with College Honors, the student must complete six Honors courses, maintain a 3.5 or greater cumulative G.P.A. and be recommended by the Honors Program committee. The six Honors courses must include at least one Interdisciplinary Honors Seminar (HONR 210), one Disciplinary Honors Seminar (HONR 220) and two Honors Independent Study courses in the major. A student may fulfill the remaining two course requirements by taking additional Honors courses (including SALEM 111 and/or SALEM 121) or by doing honors options in regular courses. No more than two Honors Independent Study courses may be used towards the six Honors courses required for College Honors.
Graduate students are not eligible for graduation honors. For information concerning distinction qualifications, please contact the Office of the Registrar at 336-721-2760.
You will be required to wear the appropriate regalia during the ceremony, cap, gown and dark shoes. Honor cords and stoles are optional. Check your Salem email for information on caps and gowns. Contact your honor society or clubs for information on cords and stoles. The appropriate attire under your regalia is business casual.