What Is Commencement?

Commencement is the ceremony at which a college or university celebrates its graduating students and formally recognizes them as degree recipients. It is the name used in the United States, where it often takes place in spring, and sometimes in winter or summer for smaller groups. The word reflects the idea that graduation is a beginning as well as an end.

What happens

A typical ceremony involves a procession of faculty and graduates in academic regalia, speeches from the president, a guest speaker and sometimes a student speaker, and the presentation of graduates by school or program. Graduates cross the stage as their names are read, shake hands with officials and receive a diploma cover. The actual diploma may be mailed later.

Large universities often hold a main ceremony plus smaller departmental or school ceremonies, where names are read individually.

Commencement versus graduating

Graduation is the completion of your degree requirements, confirmed by the registrar when degrees are conferred, with an official date on your transcript. Commencement is the ceremony, which may be held before final grades are in. This is why some students "walk" in the ceremony and finish later.

Steps to take part

• Apply to graduate by the deadline. This is usually a separate form from the ceremony registration.
• Register for the ceremony, and request tickets if needed.
• Order regalia by the deadline.
• Check the dress code, schedule, location and rules.
• Arrange travel and housing for guests.
• Plan accessibility needs with the commencement office.

In other countries

In the UK and Commonwealth countries, the ceremony is usually called graduation, and "convocation" is used in Canada and India. Commencement is used differently in some places.

Related terms

See convocation, academic regalia, valedictorian, alumni and matriculation.