Commencement Participation Policy

Commencement is the campus-wide ceremony recognizing academic achievement. Graduation is the official act of awarding a degree to students who have successfully completed, to the satisfaction of the college or school, the academic requirements necessary to the award of a degree by the University. Participation in commencement does not constitute the award of a degree (graduation) or guarantee thereof.

1. Commencement ceremonies are held in May and December of each year. Eligibility for participation in commencement ceremonies is dependent upon the completion and submission of a graduation application form and payment of the graduation fee by the posted deadline date(s).
2. Degrees are conferred on the official conferral date (the end of the Summer term), Summer (August) undergraduate candidates will be listed in both the May and December commencement program booklets. Summer candidates who wish to physically participate in the May ceremony must follow the early participation process and deadlines of the University. Graduate and Doctoral candidates must meet Graduate School deadlines for participation. Participation in a ceremony does not guarantee degree conferral or affect conferral timelines. Appeals to this portion of the policy can be submitted to the Academic Dean or Graduate Dean. Appeals are not allowed for Doctoral candidates.