Graduation Checklist
Apply For Graduation
Students must fill out an Application for Graduation with the Office of the Registrar in order to graduate and participate in graduation ceremonies. The deadlines for each semester are:
Fall: October 31, 2025
Spring: February 28, 2026 Summer: July 15, 2026
RSVP for the Ceremonies
Let us know which college and campus ceremonies you plan to attend by Friday, April 3, 2026. You can return to the form to update your response any time before the deadline.
Attend the Grad Fair
Attend the Grad Fair at the Campus Store in TSC on March 16-17, 2026, to get everything you need for graduation. If you can't attend in person, you can place your order online beginning on March 18.
Celebrate with your Fellow Graduates!
Mark this important milestone by attending the University Commencement, your college convocation, and/or a statewide campus graduation ceremony. Invite your family and friends to join us as we recognize your hard work and achievements.
Summer graduates wishing to have their name included in the digital program at the time of Commencement should apply for graduation no later than March 31, 2026. Summer graduates who apply after this date will have their name added to the digital program following the conclusion of the summer semester.
Commencement Eligibility
Candidates for Bachelor's and Associate Degrees
To participate in commencement events, a student must have filed an Application for Graduation with the Office of the Registrar (TSC 246) and be a graduate (or anticipated graduate) of Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026 terms. For specific ceremony information, students may contact their college or campus rep.
Candidates for Master's and Doctoral Degrees
Candidates for master's and doctoral degrees should have filed an Application for Graduation with the Office of the Registrar (TSC 246) and be a graduate (or anticipated graduate) of Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026 semesters. Depending on whether a student is on Plan A, B, C, or a doctoral candidate, varying processes and paperwork exist which signal program completion and qualification for commencement participation. Students should view the semester deadlines to identify the deadlines and necessary steps required for degree completion and have their degree posted to their transcript. If further clarification is required, please email gradcommencement@usu.edu.
Candidates for master's and doctoral degrees will be hooded in their respective college's convocation or at a separate college hooding ceremony.
Academic Regalia
Participants in the ceremony should wear authorized caps and gowns. There will be a Grad Fair on the Logan Campus on March 16-17, 2026, 8:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m. at the Campus Store where you can purchase your regalia. Starting March 18th, regalia will be available to purchase online from the USU Campus Store. Candidates for degrees wear the black mortarboard with a tassel that is a color distinctive of the degree being received.
Many Statewide Campuses provide regalia rentals for the ceremonies. If you plan to attend at USU Eastern or USU Blanding, you must purchase your own regalia through the campus store or online. Contact your statewide campus coordinator for more information.
Please wear the prescribed academic costume that corresponds to your degree. Each part of the regalia has a traditional meaning specific to your major field, Utah State University, and higher education. Graduate degree candidates are asked to come to graduation ceremonies in full regalia.
Tassel Colors
S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services
College of Engineering
Jon M. Huntsman School of Business
College of Arts and Sciences
Integrated Studies Bachelor's Degrees, Associate Degrees, and Certificates
Doctoral Degrees
College of Veterinary Medicine
Honor Cords
Latin Honors cords are distributed by the Office of the Registrar to eligible undergraduate students. Students who qualify for Latin Honors should pick up their cord at the Grad Fair at the USU Campus Store on March 16 and 17, 2026. If students are unable to attend the Grad Fair, honor cords can be picked up directly from the Office of the Registrar beginning March 18. Students participating in Statewide Campus graduation ceremonies will be given their cords prior to the statewide ceremony.
Latin Honors are awarded, based solely on USU GPA, as follows:
- Cum Laude (3.5–3.79): Navy Blue cord
- Magna Cum Laude (3.8–3.94): Silver cord
- Summa Cum Laude (3.95–4.0): Gold cord
If you have questions about eligibility or distribution, please contact the Office of the Registrar at registrar@usu.edu.
Adornment
Adornments are items worn with academic regalia that recognize academic achievement, university involvement, or cultural significance. This may include cords, medallions, or stoles representing university-sponsored organizations and programs.
All university-issued adornments (i.e., adornments purchased using university funds) must be submitted for approval using the Adornment Approval Form. Faculty and staff looking for guidance on developing new adornments should review the Adornment Guidelines and Procedures.
Graduates are also welcome to wear personal adornments, such as leis or culturally significant items, which do not require approval. Decoration of caps is also permitted. Please note that all adornments and decorations should be respectful and appropriate for the ceremony.
Diplomas and Diploma Covers
Graduates who participate in live Commencement events will receive a diploma cover. Fall 2025 graduates have previously received their diplomas in the mail. Diplomas will be mailed to Spring and Summer 2026 graduates approximately six weeks after the end of the semester when grades have been verified and degrees conferred. These will be mailed to the address provided on the graduation packet. All 2025-26 graduates should make sure that both their preferred address and their diploma address in Banner are correct. Students can update the address in Banner and then should inform the Registrar’s Office via email at registrar@usu.edu.
Fall Graduates
Students who complete their degree requirements and have applied for graduation for the fall semester are part of the next graduating class (e.g. someone completing fall 2025 is part of the class of 2025-26).
Spring Graduates
Students who complete their degree requirements and have applied for graduation for the spring semester are part of that year’s graduating class (e.g. someone completing spring 2026 will be part of the class of 2025-26). They should plan to participate in the spring Commencement that corresponds with their graduation term.
Summer Graduates
Students who complete their degree requirements and have applied for graduation for the summer semester are part of that year’s graduating class (e.g. someone completing summer 2026 is part of the class of 2025-26).
Additional Information
Questions regarding your diploma should be sent to registrar@usu.edu. Questions regarding Commencement Ceremonies should be sent to commencement@usu.edu. Questions about College Convocation Ceremonies should be directed to your college representative listed below.
College Representatives
- S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences - jen.snyder@usu.edu; lisa.hunsaker@usu.edu
- College of Engineering – ENGR Convocation Page - angie.peterson@usu.edu
- College of Arts and Sciences – ArtSci Convocation Page - susie.parkinson@usu.edu
- Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services – CEHS Convocation Page - lisa.christensen@usu.edu
- Jon M. Huntsman School of Business - morgan.kuethe@usu.edu
- College of Veterinary Medicine - paula.reese@usu.edu
- Integrated Studies Bachelor's Degrees and Associates Degrees - ruth.jensen@usu.edu
- School of Graduate Studies - gradcommencement@usu.edu; carly.hunter@usu.edu
Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities
For information regarding ASL interpreting, accessible parking, and wheelchair access, please contact the Disability Resource Center at 435-797-2444 or via email at drc@usu.edu.