About Graduation

Walking at graduation to receive your degree or certificate will be one of the best times of your life. Reaching your goal will require persistence in following your program, monitoring your progress and meeting the requirements for graduation. For most programs, successful completion of a program includes:

  • Completing the minimum credits required for graduation
  • Attaining a minimum institutional grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (Institutional GPA does not include grade points from developmental classes or transfer credits.)
  • Completing the required courses, restricted electives and general electives prescribed by the program

Make sure you are on track for graduation by viewing My Progress in Student Planning to measure your progress in your assigned program or another proposed program and meeting with an academic advisor to plan your courses for future terms.

If you are not sure whether you are ready to graduate, please meet with an academic advisor to discuss your degree audit.

Graduation regalia has arrived and is available on the bookstore website or in person at the Allegheny Campus bookstore. Order online and ship for free to the Boyce, North and South bookstores for pickup. Learn more by clicking below!

View Graduation Regalia

 

Need to Register for Commencement or Have Questions?

Commencement is Thursday, May 22, 2025!

Apply for Graduation

Have Questions?

To Register and Attend Graduation, Click Here

 

Graduation Timeline

Apply online in Self-Service on the Graduation Overview pane, choosing the term you expect to graduate. There is no fee for the graduation application. See the instructions for Graduation Overview.

Summer - July 30
Fall - November 30
Spring - March 30 (to ensure your name will be included in the Commencement program)
Spring - April 30 (if not attending the ceremony)

Apply online in Self-Service on the Graduation Overview pane, choosing the term you expect to graduate. There is no fee for the graduation application. See the instructions for Graduation Overview.

Summer - June through July
Fall - September through December
Spring - January through April

At the end of the term AFTER GRADES HAVE BEEN VERIFIED, the regional directors of registration will review the final degree audit and certify your credential if requirements are complete.

Summer - After final grades; through the first week of September
Fall - After final grades; through the first week of January
Spring - After final grades; through the first week of June

Incomplete requirements?

Requirements may not be complete if you failed to complete your last semester courses or other requirements are missing. If requirements are not complete, you will receive an email from the Registration office and will be encouraged to meet with an advisor to adjust your academic plan.

Graduates: Once all graduation certifications are complete (three weeks after final grade posting), the Registrar's office will send you an email asking you to confirm your diploma name and mailing address.

Summer - Early September
Fall - Early January
Spring - Early June

Diplomas will be mailed to the address listed on your graduation application, approximately eight to 10 weeks after the commencement date.

 

Need to Order Transcripts, a Replacement Diploma or Verify Your Degree?

Transcripts and Degree Verification

Student Regalia

Due to ongoing facilities issues, the Allegheny Campus Bookstore, located on Ridge Avenue on the North Shore, will continue to operate as follows:

  • If you have not yet ordered graduation regalia (caps & gowns) purchases can be made using the online bookstore.
  • Regalia can be picked up in the Allegheny Campus Student Services Center, room 310 on Monday, May 19, Tuesday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 21 from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
  • If you are unable to pick up your order in advance or if you did not order your regalia and still want to purchase it the day of commencement, the bookstore team will be at Acrisure Stadium when the doors open at 930am on Thursday, May 22.

Faculty Regalia

  • Due to ongoing facilities issues, the Allegheny Campus Bookstore, located on Ridge Avenue on the North Shore, will continue to operate as follows:
  • Graduation Regalia: faculty should pick up their graduation regalia in the Student Services Center, room 310 on Monday, May 19, Tuesday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 21 from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
  • If you are unable to pick up your order in advance, the bookstore team will be at Acrisure Stadium when the doors open at 930am on Thursday, May 22.
  • Reminder: Regalia that is rented and must be returned after the Commencement Ceremony.

 

Commencement Day

Thursday, May 22, 2025

  • Doors open at 9:30 a.m. (no storage is available; please limit personal possessions).
  • Free parking is available on Allegheny Campus, which is a short walk to the stadium. PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY!
  • This is a Rain or Shine event!! Ponchos will be available for graduates, if needed.
  • Umbrellas and non-clear bags are permitted for this private event at Acrisure Stadium. (Security screening will take place).
  • No outside food or beverage is permitted. A concession stand will be available for food purchase (credit card only, NO cash).
  • Graduates will enter Gate B with their regalia. Marshals will direct graduates to line up for the procession at 10:00a.m.
  • Guests and family will enter Gate C - Fed Ex Great Hall.  Please be seated in the stadium, as doors will be closed for the processional.
  • This is a non-ticketed event; students may invite an unlimited number of family and friends to witness this special occasion.
  • The college bookstore will be available for regalia purchases and other items.
  • All graduates are advised to wear lightweight clothing beneath their regalia.
  • All graduates are advised to wear comfortable, low-heeled footwear appropriate for the ceremony.
  • All graduates and guests are encouraged to bring and apply sunscreen, as temperatures may be warm.
  • Directed by Marshals, faculty and staff line up for the processional at 10:00a.m.
  • The commencement ceremony will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. and conclude at approximately 1:00 p.m.
  • The Class of 2025 Graduation After-Party will begin immediately following the conclusion of the ceremony in the Student Services Building on Allegheny Campus! Please join us to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the Class of 2025!! 

 

Academic Procession

Commencement marshals will assist you in lining up for the processional and direct you to your seat. Please remain standing for the processional and the national anthem. We request that all caps be removed during the national anthem.

Presentation of Graduates

Assisted by commencement marshals, graduates will be directed to and from the stage at the appropriate times.

You will provide your name card to the announcer and shake hands with the college president, the chair of the board of trustees and other stage party members.

You will be presented with a diploma case. (Your actual diploma will be provided at a later date; you will be notified when it is available.)

Conferring of Degrees & Certificates

At the appropriate time, you will be asked to rise for the conferring of degrees and certificates. You will then be prompted to move your tassel from the right to the left side of your cap to designate your graduate status.

Recession

When the recessional begins, please remain seated until all members of the stage party have left the stadium. At that point, the ceremony will conclude, and graduates will exit up the stairs from the seating sections to the FedEx Great Hall.

Your cooperation with these general guidelines/instructions will enable everyone to enjoy this special occasion. We congratulate you upon your pending graduation!