Degree Requirements

Commencement Ceremony

Graduate students participate in the commencement program for a given semester if they have met the requirements for graduation by the deadlines for that particular term. Graduate College commencement ceremonies are held on the last Friday evening of the semester for Fall and Spring semester and the Saturday morning following the last day of classes of the second summer session. Tickets for guests attending the ceremony are not needed.

All Graduates

Approximately four weeks before the commencement ceremony, if you have a valid Application for Graduation (Diploma Slip) on file for that term, the Registrar’s Graduation Office (10A Alumni Hall, 515-294-2754) will send to your in-session address information about the commencement ceremony and a form to be filled out and returned (regardless of whether you are attending the ceremony). Participation in the graduation ceremony requires the appropriate black cap and gown. Make your own arrangements for the purchase or rental of a cap and gown well in advance of the ceremony.

Diplomas are mailed approximately 3 weeks after graduation to the address you give on the graduation form. You will be handed your diploma cover at the commencement ceremony. If you don’t attend the ceremony you may pick up your diploma cover at the Graduation Office (10A Alumni Hall).

Doctoral Graduates only

Approximately 8 weeks before graduation, the Graduate College sends a letter requesting commencement ceremony information to doctoral degree students. If you attend the commencement ceremony, you are presented at the ceremony by your major professor (or another ISU graduate faculty member). You are responsible for asking your major professor (or another faculty member) to present you at the commencement ceremony, and forwarding this information to the Graduate College at least 3 weeks before graduation. In addition to wearing a cap and gown, you wear a doctoral hood, which ISU provides at the ceremony, and which you return either on stage after the ceremony or to the Graduation Office (10A Alumni Hall) the following week. If you wish to purchase a doctoral hood, you may obtain that information from the Graduation Office.

You may find answers to frequently asked questions about the commencement ceremony at the Graduation Office FAQ website.

Students walking across central campus towards Beardshear Hall on a sunny day.

Central campus is home to ISU's distinctive campanile, several wireless access points, and dozens of events throughout the year.