Graduation and Commencement
Congratulations! The big day is almost here!
The final steps to getting your diploma are applying to graduate and then registering for commencement (if you want to participate in our ceremony).
Learn how to take these two steps below.
What You Need to Know About Graduation
Step One: Apply for Graduation
You must apply to graduate in order to receive your degree. You will not officially earn your degree until you have applied for graduation. You cannot participate in Commencement without first applying for graduation.
The deadline to apply for graduation is Friday, January 23, 2026.
Applying to graduate does NOT mean that you have to participate in the Commencement ceremony. The application alerts the Records Office that you have finished (or are near finishing) all of your degree requirements. Similarly, applying to graduate does NOT reserve your spot in the Commencement ceremony; you must register for Commencement separately.
Once the pre-audit is complete, you will receive a response indicating whether you have met (or will meet) the graduation requirements after the pre-audit is complete. If you have met or will meet all the requirements, you should then register for Commencement.
Step Two: Register for Commencement
If you would like to participate in the May 2026 Commencement ceremony, the deadline to complete the Register for Commencement form is Thursday, February 26, 2026. You must have already applied for graduation.
The deadline to complete the Register for Commencement form is Thursday, February 26, 2026, if you want to participate in the May 2026 Commencement ceremony. You must have already applied for graduation.
Only students who completed their degree requirements following the fall 2025 semester and students who will complete their degree requirements during the spring and summer 2026 semesters are eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremony on May 9, 2026.