✤Graduation vs. Commencement✤

 
Graduation (Office of the Registrar)      

• • Fulfillment of academic requirements and the award of a degree on the official record.      
  • Students must submit a Graduation Application.
    
  • Students should apply for graduation for the term they will complete all degree requirements for their program. Applications for Graduation are submitted for the term in which the student is completing their degree requirements.  All applications must be submitted during the application period. Specific dates are noted in the Academic Calendar. Students who miss the deadline should contact their academic department to determine eligibility and to request a late submission. Students submitting a late application risk not being included in the commencement program.  Applying for graduation is completely separate from registering to attend the commencement ceremony.  Students must RSVP to participate in the ceremony.

Commencement (Commencement Office) 

• • Applying for graduation is completely separate from registering to attend the ceremony.
  • Students must RSVP to participate in the ceremony. 
  • Commencement is the celebration/ceremony where graduates walk dressed in academic regalia (cap and gown) to be congratulated by the university’s leadership and faculty. It does not mean you've officially graduated.  Only the Office of the Registrar can confirm your graduation status and issue your Transcript/Diploma.
  • Please note that students should RSVP to the ceremony in which they have an active graduation application on file.  If a student attends a ceremony in which they do not have an active graduation application on file the diploma name will not be reflected within the Commencement Program nor will they receive important graduation communications.
  • Summer term graduation applicants have the option to choose to participate in either the Spring or Fall Commencement ceremonies. Students must RSVP to participate.
  • Students receiving an A.A. or certificate only do NOT participate in in the commencement ceremony. The Commencement Ceremony is reserved for those obtaining degreesa bachelor's or higher degree.