Graduate Studies

Master’s Commencement Ceremony

May 15, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. University Stadium

Congratulations to those students who are nearly finished with their master’s degree. We look forward to celebrating your achievements with you!

Did you know that applying for graduation and registering for the Commencement Ceremony are two separate processes?

What is Commencement?
Graduate students at the Graduate Commencement Ceremony

Commencement takes place before you have officially graduated and is where we celebrate your accomplishments in a public ceremony held at the University Stadium. Commencement is when graduates (and candidates for graduation) are recognized by walking across the stage.

Note: there is not a separate fall Commencement Ceremony for fall graduates. All students who graduate in the fall semester have the option of participating in the spring Commencement Ceremony in May.

What is Graduation?
Monica Lopez Acosta (Graduate student, Teaching International Languages,
Graduation is the official granting of a degree after you have met all of your degree requirements. Graduation happens once you have submitted your graduation clearance form; after your thesis/project/or other culminating activity is complete; after all grades have been finalized by the Office of the Registrar; and the Office of Graduate Studies has reviewed your record and signed off on everything. 

Both are treated separately in how you apply and participate. Applying for graduation does not automatically register you to walk in Commencement.

Please read the following important information carefully to learn more about these different processes and what to do, and when. 


How To File For Graduation and Register For Commencement

If you are a 2024 summer or fall graduate and do not plan to register for and walk early in the 2024 Commencement, you do not need to apply for graduation at this time. Please refer to the Office of Graduate Studies website deadlines page to determine the regularly scheduled graduation application deadlines for summer 2024 and fall 2024.


Dates/Deadlines to Apply to Graduate and Register for the Commencement Ceremony

PLEASE REVIEW CAREFULLY – DATES WILL BE UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER
ActionDeadline Date
Apply to Graduate (PDF)Friday, February 16, 2024
Update Your Preferred Name for the Printed Commencement Ceremony ProgramTuesday, February 27, 2024
Apply to Graduate (PDF) with an additional $10 feeFriday, March 1, 2024
GradFest Wednesday, March 6 | 10 a.m.–4 p.m. | Wildcat Bookstore
Thursday, March 7, | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. |
Wildcat Bookstore

Register for Commencement

Graduates will receive an email to their Wildcat email from Marching Order with the subject "Add Graduate to Ceremony." Graduates can also register directly on Marching Order.

Wednesday, March 6–Wednesday, April 17, 2024
Deadline to preorder cap and gown rentals for pick up in the Wildcat BookstoreTuesday, March 12, 2024
Deadline to preorder cap and gown rentals for ship-to-home ordersWednesday, April 17, 2024
Deadline to Register for CommencementWednesday, April 17, 2024
Preordered cap and gown rentals can be picked up at the Wildcat BookstoreTuesday, April 23, 2024 | Starting at 9 a.m.
Didn’t get a chance to pre-order your cap and gown online? Walk-ins for cap & gown rentals can be made at the Wildcat Bookstore during normal store hours. Contact the Wildcat Store at (530) 898-5223 for their hours during Commencement week.Monday, May 6, 2024
Digital GradPass will be sent to your Wildcat email address with the subject line “Here is your GradPass!” The GradPass serves as the graduate’s ticket entry into the stadium and will have the name displayed and announced on the jumbotron.Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Deadline to preorder cap and gown rentals for ship-to-home orders on expedited shipping chargeThursday, May 9, 2024
Attend the Commencement Ceremony at the University StadiumWednesday, May 15, 2024 | 7 p.m. | University Stadium

More to Come

The Office of Graduate Studies will send more information and updates about tickets and hooding to your Wildcat email account in the following weeks. Feel free to contact us or stop by our office in the Student Services Center (SSC) 460 or email graduatestudies@csuchico.edu if you have any questions or concerns.