Commencement & Diplomas

Commencement exercises are held once a year, in May, when degrees are conferred to those students who have completed requirements by the end of the spring semester. Diplomas are mailed subsequently directly to the student. Those who complete degree requirements by the end of the fall semester or by the end of a summer term receive diplomas dated in December and September, respectively, by mail. The May commencement also includes a PhD hooding ceremony. Doctoral students who graduated earlier in the academic year are encouraged to attend the May ceremonies, despite having already received their degrees. The doctoral hooding ceremony does not include master’s students or PhD students who have not fully completed their degree requirements. Diplomas and final transcripts will not be issued until all balances due to the bursar have been paid in full. All degree recipients graduating in a given year are permitted and encouraged to attend the year’s culminating University commencement ceremonies.