​Students who completed their degree program (degree has been conferred) in the Spring 2025 or Summer 2025 semesters are eligible to participate in the 2025 Commencement ceremony in Washington, D.C. Students expected to complete their programs in the Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 semesters may be eligible to participate, pending their academic department approval. This includes all vocational, associate, bachelor, master, education specialist, and doctoral-level students. A student completing a certificate program may not participate in commencement.

For those expecting to complete their degrees in the Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 semesters, please review the policies below for your degree level to determine if you are eligible to participate in the 2025 Washington, D.C. ceremony:

1. Undergraduate students who are expected to complete their degree requirements by the end of the Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 semesters may be eligible to participate pending their academic department's approval.  
2. Master and Education Specialist students who are expected to complete their degree requirements by the end of the Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 semesters may be eligible to participate pending their academic department's approval. Students in a master's degree program that requires a research project (thesis, applied research project, advanced research project, etc.) must have a documented completion of the project 30 days before the commencement date in order to participate.  
3. Doctoral students may be eligible to participate if all degree requirements have been completed, including a successfully documented dissertation defense has been completed at least 30 days before the commencement date. Students still engaged in clinical training may participate with the approval of their Academic Department.  ​

If you believe you will meet the qualifications stated above for your degree level, you should proceed with submitting an Intent to Participate form once it is open for the ceremony.​