Commencement
Congratulations, graduates! We’re #RedbirdProud and excited to celebrate this milestone with you.
Can't attend in-person?
Watch the Commencement Live Stream!
Graduation Checklist
Graduate Checklist
During the semester in which you plan to graduate, be sure to complete the following steps:
-
Apply to Graduate
- All students must apply for graduation and pay the application fee.
- Know the application deadlines.
- Questions about your degree requirements? Be sure to consult with your academic advisor.
-
Register to participate in your commencement ceremony
- Although the winter commencement registration deadline has passed, you can still fully participate in your ceremony by completing the registration form. Please note that your name will not appear in the commencement program book. Registration and cap and gown sales for spring commencement will begin in mid-February.
- Those graduating at the end of the fall semester participate in December commencement. Spring and summer graduates participate in May commencement. Students must participate in the ceremony of their graduation term, except in cases of military deployment during the scheduled ceremony or University study abroad programs that end after the scheduled ceremony.
- Participation in a commencement ceremony is optional and does not impact the awarding of your degree.
-
Purchase cap and gown
- Online cap and gown ordering has closed. The last opportunity to purchase an Illinois State University cap and gown for winter commencement is Wednesday, December 10, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., 304 Student Services Building. A Jostens representative will have caps and gowns available for purchase onsite on a first-come, first-served basis.
- All students participating in a commencement ceremony should wear a cap and gown.
-
Pick up your honor cord if you have earned a Latin honors designation
- Pick up your honor cord if you have earned a Latin (laude) honors designation. Approximately four weeks before the commencement ceremonies, eligible students will receive an email from the Office of the University Registrar with information about honor cord pick-up.
-
Request transcripts
- Order an official Illinois State University transcript showing your degree earned if needed.
- Degrees may not appear on transcripts for several weeks after graduation.
-
Final steps
- Share where you're headed after graduation by completing the Graduating Student Survey
- Confirm your personal information, including your mailing address, is up-to-date.
- Diplomas will be mailed to the address indicated on the application for graduation approximately 12 weeks following the conclusion of the semester.
-
Ceremony instructions
- Graduates and Guests: Watch the commencement informational video so you know what to expect on the day of the ceremony.
- Graduates: Go to Horton Field House with your cap and gown one hour prior to the start of your ceremony for check-in and line-up. Doctoral and MFA candidates will check in at the Media Room (Room 165) in CEFCU Arena. This doctoral video will provide additional information about what to expect during the line-up and while being hooded during the commencement ceremony.
- Guests: Go to CEFCU Arena. Doors will open one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. Seating is first-come, first-serve. There are no tickets and no limit to the number of guests who may attend.
-
View your Commencement Ceremony Photos
- If you participated in a commencement ceremony, GradImages will email your photos to your Illinois State email address approximately one week following the ceremony.
- You can also use the GradImages online photo locator to look up your ceremony photos
Schedule
2025 Ceremony Schedule
Winter 2025 Commencement Ceremonies
Saturday, December 13, 2025 at CEFCU Arena
- 9 a.m.: College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Mennonite College of Nursing, and Interdisciplinary Studies
- 1 p.m.: College of Applied Science and Technology, College of Business, and Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts
Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremonies
Friday, May 8, 2026 at CEFCU Arena
- 4 p.m.: Mennonite College of Nursing and College of Arts and Sciences Social Sciences including students in the majors of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Economics, Politics and Government, Psychology, Social Work, and Sociology and Anthropology
- 8 p.m.: College of Arts and Sciences Natural Sciences/Mathematics and Humanities including students in the majors of Biological Sciences; Communication; Chemistry; English; Geography, Geology, and the Environment; History; Languages, Literatures, and Cultures; Mathematics; Philosophy; Physics; and Interdisciplinary Studies
Saturday, May 9, 2026 at CEFCU Arena
- 9 a.m.: College of Education, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts
- 1:30 p.m.: College of Applied Science and Technology
- 6 p.m.: College of Business
Ceremony Info
Ceremony Information
Graduates and guests, watch the commencement informational video and review the ceremony information for helpful tips for the big day! Doctoral and Master of Fine Arts graduates will receive an email with check-in and hooding instructions.
Each commencement ceremony will last approximately 2 1/2 hours (spring) or 2 hours (winter). The ceremony includes the graduate processional, speeches from University officials, and graduates receiving their diploma cover as they cross the commencement stage when their name is read. Graduates should wear regalia (cap and gown).
Graduates, go to Horton Field House with your cap and gown one hour before the start of your ceremony for check-in and line-up. Guests and children are not permitted in Horton Field House. During the ceremony, only the graduating student may cross the stage. Infants or children of any age cannot be held as graduates cross the stage, nor can they walk or sit with the graduating student. Additional participation information will be emailed to graduates three weeks prior to commencement.
Guest seating is first-come, first served, and doors will open one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. There are no tickets and no limit to the number of guests that may attend.
- No bags, backpacks, or boxes, except for small purses, small camera bags, diaper bags, and medical equipment.
- No strollers, outside food, inflated balloons, or items that create a visual obstruction for other guests (large signs, banners, etc.).
- No megaphones or other items that can create a noise disruption.
Registration for the commencement ceremonies begins in late February (spring) or late-September (winter). All students who have applied for graduation by the published deadline will receive an email from the Commencement office about ceremony registration. Students graduating in spring or summer participate in a May commencement ceremony.
