Appendix B. Eligibility of Graduate Students to Participate in Commencement

Policy for Determining Eligibility to March in Commencement

Participation in a commencement ceremony acknowledges the completion of degree requirements (certificate completion does not constitute a degree) and signifies academic accomplishment of the highest order. Students eligible to participate in the December commencement ceremony must have completed the following by August or December of that year. Students eligible to participate in the May commencement ceremony must have completed the following by May of that year. Receipt of commencement information or ceremony participation does not, in any way, constitute certification for graduation. Graduate candidates eligible to march in the ceremonies include the following:

For degree programs that do not culminate in a thesis or dissertation:

  • Those who have completed their degree requirements in the eligible semester(s) for the given ceremony.
  • Those in programs with required summer internships who will have completed their course work and passed their comprehensive examination(s) or master’s examination (if required) during or before the deadlines in the Graduate School calendar for the Spring semester, and will complete their internship over the following Summer term (Students should consult with their Department or the Graduate School regarding their eligibility).

For degree programs that culminate in a thesis or dissertation:

  • Those who will have completed their degree requirements including successfully defended the thesis/dissertation by the appropriate deadline in the Graduate School calendar. Submission of the final copy is not required to be able to participate in the graduation commencement ceremony. Continuous registration is required until degree completion and the degree is conferred in the semester that the final copies are completed.
  • Those in programs with required summer internships who will have completed their course work and passed their comprehensive examination(s) or master’s examination (if required) during or before the Spring semester, will have successfully defended their dissertations/theses and submitted final copies by the appropriate deadline in the Graduate School calendar, and will complete their internship over the following Summer term (Students should consult with their Department or the Graduate School regarding their eligibility).

(Amended on November 4, 2024)