Graduates must register separately for each ceremony they plan to attend. Registration opens via My ASU Oct. 14. Once registration opens, register for ceremonies by visiting My ASU and selecting "Register for ceremonies." All graduates planning to attend in-person ceremonies must register to attend.
Which ceremony should I attend?
Commencement — ASU ceremony
Commencement ceremonies are the official graduation events for the university, open to all graduating students, regardless of the college in which they are graduating.
Undergraduate commencement:
During the university’s undergraduate commencement ceremony, President Michael Crow confers degrees on all ASU bachelor’s degree candidates by colleges (not individually). This means Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College students will be recognized together and will not individually cross the stage at this ceremony.
Graduate commencement:
During the university’s graduate commencement, President Michael Crow confers degrees on all ASU master’s and doctoral candidates.
- Master’s degree candidates will be hooded, but not called individually to cross the stage.
- Doctoral candidates will be hooded and called individually to cross the stage and receive congratulations.
Convocation — Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College ceremony
Convocation is a high-spirited celebration for graduating MLFTC students, in which graduates are individually recognized for their academic achievement.
Participation in graduation events is not required in order to graduate, although it is encouraged. Family and friends often want to see their graduates cross a stage and hear their names read.
Graduation resources
Regalia
Cap and gown are required for all events. Graduates must be in regalia to walk in the ceremony. Learn what regalia is required.
Regalia can be purchased at a discounted rate online via Herff Jones through early October 18. Graduating students received a unique URL via e-mail October 4. Regalia discounts will only be available through the unique link.
Regalia questions? Visit the FAQs or email help@southwestgrad.com.
Undergraduate honor cords
Honor cords are for undergraduates who have earned at least 56 credit hours of resident credit at ASU. Your current GPA at the time of your cord request will determine which honor cords you are given. Cords may be picked up at any University Registrar Services location.
In-person students: honor cords may be picked up at any University Registrar Services location.
ASU Online students: honor cords will be mailed automatically to eligible students based on the requirements listed above.
Learn more about honor cords.
Master’s students graduating with distinction
Graduate students completing a master’s program with a 4.0 cumulative GPA qualify for With Distinction recognition. This recognition is indicated on the diploma and the ASU transcript with a notation of With Distinction. The With Distinction recognition applies only to students completing master’s degrees and will not be awarded retroactively. The cumulative GPA for With Distinction recognition is based on ASU coursework only.
Inquiries about master’s students graduating With Distinction may be directed to grad-gps@asu.edu.
Diplomas
Diplomas will be mailed within six to eight weeks. Visit My ASU to confirm or change your home address, or local address for international students. Diplomas returned to ASU will be kept for one year. You will receive an email notification via your ASU email account when your diploma has been mailed.
Guests
Time and venue
Convocation will take place at Desert Financial Arena and will begin promptly at 9 a.m. MST (Arizona time). The ceremony is expected to last 90 minutes.
Doors to the arena open 1 hour before the ceremony for all guests at 8 a.m. No tickets are required and seating is open.
Clear Bag Policy and prohibited items
A clear bag policy is in effect during Convocation. Review the ASU Bag Policy for a list of prohibited items. Common prohibited items are signs, water bottles, air horns, etc.
Where to park
Parking for all attendees is in Lot 59 and the Packard Drive South parking structure. Please refer to ASU's event parking information for additional details.
Accessibility and disability information
Desert Financial Arena is ADA accessible. Guests who have a mobility impairment will be able to sit in reserved ADA seating with one companion.
Desert Financial Arena’s disabled seating is located on the interior concourse level of the arena. One additional guest may accompany the disabled guest in this area. To assure disabled seating for all who need to be accommodated, we ask that other guests be seated in the rows directly in front of the disabled seating areas. Download the Desert Financial Arena seating chart displaying locations for disabled seating. The seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage all guests to arrive early to avoid lines.
There will be live captioning available and an ASL interpreter on the stage.
Live stream
All ceremonies are streamed online for guests who cannot attend in person. Please visit live.asu.edu to view all ceremonies.
Celebrate your graduate!
Leis and bouquets will be sold at the convocation ceremonies. Students and guests are encouraged to pre-order for pick up before the ceremony so they can wear their leis on stage and in pictures. Please visit the Graduation Day Flowers' pre-order page to place your order.
