SMLR Class of 2026 Convocation and 260th Anniversary Commencement

Step 1: Check your graduation date

Please check your graduation date to be sure it accurately reflects your degree completion through Degree Navigator. When you log in, you can see the date at the top right of the page in the box where your name, RUID, and NetID are listed. 

If you need to change your graduation date and are a SMLR student (Bachelor of Science in Labor and Employment Relations), complete this form. If you are a School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) student (Bachelor of Arts, Human Resource Management major or Labor Studies and Employment Relations major), please contact your advisor at SAS Advising and Academic Services.  

Step 2: Apply for your diploma

Don't forget to apply for your diploma as soon as possible for either May 2026 or August 2026. All students must complete this online process to graduate. May graduates have until May 15th to apply for their diploma. August graduates can complete the diploma application between April 15 – August 15. Click here to view all University deadlines for submission. 

Please note: All 2026 Graduates wishing to have their name included in the SMLR Convocation program must have the correct graduation date on their record by April 1 regardless of their graduation month.

Step 3: Clear any financial obligations

To learn more about financial holds and loan exit counseling, visit the Student Accounting, Billing, and Cashier Services website. Students will not receive their diploma until all financial holds are cleared.

Information about honor awards

Departmental Honors 

Bachelor students of the Human Resource Management program, Labor Studies and Employment Relations program, and Labor and Employment Relations program who achieve a 3.70 GPA or higher for coursework within their major will receive an excellence pin and a certificate upon graduation.

Latin Honors

The baccalaureate degree is conferred summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude for students achieving honors in the overall program of study at Rutgers University. All degree honors are determined by final cumulative GPA as listed below and are noted on the diploma and final transcript:

Note: Averages are not rounded to the next higher number in the calculation of honors.

Students earning the Bachelor of Science in Labor and Employment Relations who achieve overall program honors of summa or magna cum laude will receive white cords from the School of Management and Labor Relations. The School of Arts and Sciences awards the honor cords for Bachelor of Arts students majoring in Human Resource Management and/or Labor Studies and Employment Relations.

Step 1: Submit your degree candidacy form

Submit your Degree Candidacy Form as soon as possible for either May 2026 or August 2026. All graduate students must complete this form to graduate. 

• MLER (online and In-person) program graduates: Complete and submit the MLER Degree Candidacy Form to Ann Marie Fiorella-Mullen at amf322@smlr.rutgers.edu.  
• MHRM program graduates: Complete and submit the MHRM Degree Candidacy Form to Rebecca Tinkham at tinkham@smlr.rutgers.edu. 
• Online Professional MHRM program graduates: Contact Allison Kushner at allison.kushner@rutgers.edu for the degree candidacy form. 

Step 2: Apply for your diploma

Don't forget to apply for your diploma as soon as possible. All students must complete this online process to graduate.

• SMLR Graduate Student Application Deadline for May 2026 graduates is April 1.
• SMLR Graduate Student Application Deadline for August 2026 graduates is August 15.  

Please note: All 2026 Graduates wishing to have their name included in the SMLR Convocation program must apply for their diploma by April 1 regardless of their graduation month.

Step 3: Clear any financial obligations

To learn more about financial holds and loan exit counseling, visit the Student Accounting, Billing, and Cashier Services website. Students will not receive their diploma until all financial holds are cleared.

Information about Honor Awards

All SMLR master’s degree students achieving a 4.000 GPA within their program receive gold cords to adorn their regalia. Students who believe they are eligible for a cord should check their program records with their individual SMLR student counselor. 

Academic regalia (cap and gown) for the 2026 School of Management and Labor Relations Convocation and the 260th Anniversary Commencement ceremonies is available for purchase. 

Order your regalia here:
https://oakhallcg.com/pages/rutgersnbu

Important Dates:

• Early Bird: Order by February 28 for in-store pick-up (Barnes & Noble campus bookstore).
  Pick-up starts: April 1.
• Ship-to-home: Order by March 30.
• Grad Fair event at the Barnes & Noble location April 1 & 2 (10 AM – 6 PM) for pick-up or in-store purchases only.

Tickets are required for you as the graduate and for each of your guests attending the convocation ceremony on May 20, 2026.

All SMLR graduates will receive one digital ticket for themselves along with 10 additional digital tickets to share with guests. Tickets for guests are general admission seating.

Digital tickets for the SMLR Convocation ceremony will be available to download in the graduate's Rutgers Ticket Account in late April.

Click here for information about tickets for our convocation ceremony.

The SMLR Convocation will be held Wednesday, May 20th at 10:00am in Jersey Mike's Arena. During this school-specific ceremony, each individual graduate of the School of Management and Labor Relations will have their name called as they walk across the stage. Watch the video of last year's SMLR Convocation to see an example of our ceremony.

The 260th Anniversary Commencement will be held Sunday, May 17th in SHI Stadium and celebrates all members of the Class of 2026 from Rutgers–New Brunswick and Rutgers Health at one large event. No individual student names are called. Tickets for all attendees will be required and are limited. As always, parking passes will be required. Details about Commencement can be found here: commencement.rutgers.edu. Please check back as more details will be provided in the coming months.

Undergraduate students in the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) majoring in Human Resource Management or Labor Studies & Employment Relations will be individually recognized at the SMLR convocation ceremony on Wednesday, May 20th, but you are eligible to attend one of the SAS ceremonies as well. You can attend both!