Student Handbook

If the application is approved, the student must register with the Office of Student Affairs and pay all necessary tuition charges.

Commencement Commencement exercises will be held annually at the conclusion of the spring term. Conferral of Degrees The SUNY College of Optometry confers the Doctor of Optometry (OD), Doctor of Philosophy in Vision Science (PhD) and the Masters of Science in Vision Science (MS) degrees. The conferral of degrees will be to students who satisfactorily complete all academic requirements, are not on probation and do not have outstanding financial obligations. Conferral of degrees in three designated months: May, August and December. Paper and electronic diplomas will be issued based on when degree requirements are completed: • May: for requirements completed between January and May • August: for requirements completed between June and August • December: for requirements completed between September and December

If a student who completes their degree in the fall (December conferral) wishes to receive their diploma at the next commencement ceremony, they should indicate this on the commencement form.

Requirements for Graduation A student must receive a passing grade for every required course in the curriculum (including clinics) and at least a 2.0 grade-point average in order to be considered for graduation. A student on probation is ineligible to graduate.

Commencement Participation Policy

1. Spring Graduates Students who complete all degree requirements by the end of the spring term are eligible to participate in the spring commencement ceremony. These students will march and receive their diplomas during the ceremony. 2. Summer Graduates (Delayed Graduation) Students who complete their program requirements at the end of the summer term are also eligible to participate in the spring commencement ceremony. However, diplomas for these students will be awarded upon the successful completion of all degree requirements at the end of the summer term. 3. Fall or Later Graduates Students who complete their program requirements after the summer term are not eligible to participate in the spring commencement ceremony. These students will join the next available commencement ceremony following the completion of their degree requirements.

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