Advisory regarding Southern California wildfires

Advisory regarding Southern California wildfires

On behalf of everyone at Thomas Edison State University, we hope that students affected by the wildfires in Southern California remain safe. The University is offering accommodations to students affected by the wildfires:

  • Students who are directly impacted by the fires and who are currently registered in courses for the November 2024, December 2024 and January 2025 terms have the option of receiving a free eight-week course extension without mentor approval; or, a 100% tuition credit for their course(s) to a future term. Affected students should submit a Request for Course Extension Form or a Request for Course Withdrawal Form indicating “Southern California wildfires” as the reason for the request. Please note that TECEP exams in these terms cannot be extended, nor credited for tuition after the exam has been taken.
  • Impacted students who are currently on a course extension for the September 2024 and October 2024 terms can request a second eight-week extension on their current term at no additional cost.

Request an Accommodation: Students affected by the wildfire and evacuations who need an accommodation should contact the Office of the Registrar by email at registration@tesu.edu or by phone at 609-777-5680. Accommodation requests should be submitted by January 24th. Requests after that date can be accommodated if the student provides documentation of the reason for the late request.

Graduation vs. Commencement

The Difference Between ‘Graduation’ and ‘Commencement’ at TESU

Some students confuse graduation with the University’s Commencement ceremony, and it is an easy mistake to make. Graduation is the required process for every student who has completed their degree requirements and wishes to have their degree conferred. The Commencement ceremony is a voluntary celebratory event to which all graduates are invited but are not required to attend. Once your degree has been conferred through the graduation process, you are a ‘Thomas Edison State University graduate,’ regardless of whether you attend the Commencement ceremony.

  • What ‘Graduation’ Means at TESU

    Graduation is the official administrative recognition of a student fulfilling their academic degree requirements. This process begins when you complete your degree requirements, apply for graduation through Online Student Services and the University’s Board of Trustees officially confers your degree.

  • The Graduation Application Process and Deadlines for Applying

    Once you fulfill or are finalizing your degree requirements, you will complete a graduation application that confirms your name, address, email, your degree program and requests payment of the graduation audit fee. Completing the application starts the process of a graduation audit, which is a complete review of your academic record to ensure the degree requirements are complete. All students who apply for graduation by the four yearly deadline dates and pay the graduation audit fee are audited for graduation. Learn more about graduation deadlines and when you should apply.

  • Once Your Graduation Audit is Completed

    Once your graduation audit is completed and all degree requirements are met, you are sent a letter of certification by email from our graduation auditors. Once this process is complete, your degree is conferred during the next Thomas Edison State University Board of Trustees meeting and that serves as the official date of your graduation. During the week following the Board of Trustees degree conferral, graduates are sent their diploma packages in the mail, which includes their diploma and final transcript. The conferral date is when you are officially considered a graduate of your academic program and awarded your degree. Learn more about the graduation audit process and what to expect.

  • What ‘Commencement’ Means at TESU

    Commencement is an annual ceremony designed to celebrate your accomplishment of graduation. Attendance is voluntary and all graduates from the previous year’s four graduation cycles are invited to attend along with their family and friends. The Commencement ceremony is usually scheduled for a Saturday in September at the CURE Insurance Arena, in Trenton, N.J. There are no diplomas given at the Commencement ceremony, as all graduates receive their diplomas in the mail.

  • The Commencement Ceremony: What to Expect

    At the Commencement ceremony, graduates are expected to wear their academic regalia along with any honor cords they earned through the various TESU awards and process across the stage to be publicly recognized. The Commencement ceremony is a voluntary event and there is no charge to attend. Graduates who are invited to attend the ceremony receive an email invitation in July and are given additional information about ordering their regalia, attendee tickets, and the schedule of events at that time. Students who are certified for September graduation will receive their email invitation a few days after they have been certified for graduation.

The entire University community looks forward to seeing all of its graduates and their family members at the annual Commencement ceremony, so please consider attending this event. We are very proud to serve, assist and accompany you on your journey as a student at Thomas Edison State University and celebrate this momentous achievement. If you have questions, please email our staff at commencement@tesu.edu.