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Students smile while wearing their caps and gowns during Commencement
Graduation & Commencement

Graduation and Commencement

Graduation is not the same thing as the Commencement Ceremony. Graduation is the process by which degree completion is confirmed and certified. The Commencement Ceremony celebrates that academic achievement.

Degree Completion

Degree completion is not automatic. You must apply to have your degree conferred, even if you do not plan to attend a commencement ceremony. 

  • Complete the Graduation Application in your My Ohio Student Center. The application is available on the first day of the semester. If you do not see the correct program, degree, or are missing a certificate, you need to update your record with the Graduate College. Before proceeding with the application, contact your graduate program for help submitting an update of program form.
  • You must meet all deadlines for filing your final project, thesis, dissertation, or other capstone experience.
  • Your cumulative graduate grade point average must be at least 3.00 (without rounding).
  • You must have completed all requirements for your degree and removed any incompletes.
  • You must be in unconditional and final admission status.
  • You must fulfill all financial and other obligations to the university before your diploma will be released.
  • Graduation applications not completed by the deadline listed in the academic calendar will be assessed a late processing fine.

Certificate Completion

Certificate conferral is not automatic. You must complete the Graduation Application in your My Ohio Student Center. If you do not see a certificate option in the application, you need to update your record with the Graduate College by filling out an Update Graduate Program form: Graduate College Forms | 51ÉçÇø. 

  • Your cumulative grade point average must be at least 3.00 (without rounding).
  • You must have completed all certificate requirements.
  • You must be in unconditional and final admission status.
  • You must fulfill all financial and other obligations to the university before your certificate will be released.
  • Graduation applications not completed by the deadline listed in the academic calendar will be assessed a late processing fine.
 

Cap, Gown, and Hood

Information about ordering academic regalia (cap, gown, and hood) is on the University Commencement page. Regalia is required for the ceremony.

 

Master's and Doctoral students can order custom-made regalia (cap, gown, and hood). Custom orders take additional time. For information about custom orders, contact Event Services at commencement@ohio.edu.

 

There are different styles for gowns depending on the level of degree conferred. Doctoral gowns have a front velvet facing and three velvet stripes on the sleeves. Hoods for master's graduates are shorter than for doctoral, and the velvet color indicates the degree earned. Doctoral hoods are longer, and the velvet color signifies the degree earned (Ph.D. – dark blue; Ed.D. – light blue; D.Aud. – green; D.P.T. – green; D.N.P. – apricot).

 

Tradition dictates that because master's and doctoral graduates wear hoods, they do not receive honor cords.

Still have Questions?

Visit the University's official Commencement website, which features Frequently Asked Questions, the schedule of events, event speakers and more.

Commencement Website