Commencement Eligibility Policy

Who is eligible to participate in Commencement?

Standard policy statement

Students who plan to complete their degree requirements within the academic year (fall, spring, summer) are eligible to participate in that year’s Commencement ceremonies. Please see your Academic Advisor or your school Registrar to inquire about your eligibility. Exceptions to this policy may be made by permission of the Dean or Registrar of their home school.

Detailed Policy for Commencement

University of Rochester – Commencement

Students who are expected to graduate at the end of the fall, spring or summer term will be included in the spring commencement program of that academic year. Additional students may be included by permission of the Dean. A list of any students being invited to participate in commencement off cycle should be provided in writing to the Office of the University Registrar. To be included in the commencement program, all additions must be received no later than April 1st.

What this means is that students graduating in the fall (2025), spring (2026) or summer (2026) will be included in any requests, communications, invitations, etc. that may be generated for the spring commencement program. Data sets will be derived based on the “Expected Completion Date” present on the student record in UR Student. It should be known that for any student that is still active, this date is simply a prediction and will provide us with the widest net.

Eligible Participants in Commencement and Degree Ceremonies

Candidates for Bachelors, Masters or Doctoral or MD degrees shall be invited to participate in commencement events and individual school or department recognition ceremonies.

Except for the Performer’s Certificates, students earning certificates, advanced certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, minors, concentrations, or other similar credential will not be individually recognized during the university, school, or departmental celebrations.

Based on direction from the Provost’s Office individual schools may choose to include candidates for Advanced Certificates on the invitation list and for participation in their individual school or department recognition ceremonies.

Degree Conferral and Diplomas

The Registrar’s Office is responsible for certifying degree requirements are complete, conferring the degree on the student record and ordering the diploma. In most cases, students should expect to receive their diploma 4-6 weeks after the degree is conferred. Diploma covers will be provided to participants at official commencement/degree ceremony events. It is expected that one cover be provided for each of the degree types indicated above (Bachelors, Masters or Doctoral or MD degrees).

If you have additional questions about Commencement Eligibility, please contact our office at Registrar@Rochester.edu.