Commencement Ceremonies
Masters’ and professional commencement and doctoral hooding ceremonies are held each December and May. Make sure you know the dates and requirements to apply for graduation and participate in commencement.
The Graduate School Calendar
Deadlines & Commencement
Fall 2025
| Date | Deadline/Event |
|---|---|
| August 25 | Last day to change/drop a course without a grade of "W" being recorded |
| September 19 | Graduation Application Deadline |
| October 7 | Format Check Deadline for Thesis/Dissertation |
| October 24 | Defense Deadline |
| October 24 | Doctoral Hooding Program Information Deadline |
| November 5 | Last day to change/drop a course without a grade of "WF" being recorded |
| November 7 | Final Submission Deadline |
| December 15 | Doctoral Hooding, 10:00 a.m., Koger Center for the Arts |
| December 15 | Master’s and Professional Ceremony, 2:00 p.m., Colonial Life Arena |
Spring 2026
| Date | Deadline/Event |
|---|---|
| January 20 | Last day to change/drop a course without a grade of "W" being recorded |
| March 7 | Format Check Deadline for Thesis/Dissertation |
| See Registrar website | Graduation Application Deadline |
| March 26 | Defense Deadline |
| March 26 | Doctoral Hooding Program Information Deadline |
| March 30 | Last day to change/drop a course without a grade of "WF" being recorded |
| April 9 | Final Submission Deadline |
| May 7 | Doctoral Hooding, 9:00 a.m., Koger Center for the Arts |
| May 8 | Master’s and Professional Ceremony, 8:30 a.m., Colonial Life Arena |
| May 8 | Master’s and Professional Ceremony by college, 3:00 p.m., Colonial Life Arena |
| May 9 | Master’s and Professional Ceremony by college, 11:00 a.m., Colonial Life Arena |
| May 9 | Master’s and Professional Ceremony by college, 4:00 p.m., Colonial Life Arena |
Summer 2026
| Date | Deadline/Event |
|---|---|
| July 3 | Format Check Deadline for Thesis/Dissertation |
| July 15 | Defense Deadline |
| See Registrar website | Graduation Application Deadline |
| July 24 | Final Submission Deadline |
| August 15 | Summer Graduation* |
*Note – there is no Summer Commencement Exercise.
BULLETIN: Check Your Degree Requirements