Graduation

Degrees in the Graduate School are conferred three times a year, in August, January and May. The upcoming official graduation dates are:

• May 19, 2012
• August 8, 2012
• January 6, 2013

At the beginning of the semester in which a student is planning to graduate, he or she must register and complete the ND Roll Call process. Students who are planning to submit a research thesis or dissertation should familiarize themselves with the deadlines and submission requirements for their target graduation date. For program-specific requirements, consult your department or the Graduate Bulletin of Information.

Commencement Ceremonies

There is no ceremony for the August and January graduations; students from all three graduations are, however, invited to participate in the Commencement celebrations the following May. This year, students who graduated in August 2011 and January 2012, or who are eligible to graduate in May 2012 may participate in the May 2012 ceremonies.

The Graduate School at the University of Notre Dame hosts a separate ceremony specifically for doctoral and master’s students in programs under the Graduate School purview. Students are invited to participate in both the Graduate School Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, and the University ceremony on Sunday, but the hooding of Ph.D. recipients and the conferral of doctoral and master’s graduate degrees will take place during the Graduate School program.

Separate ceremonies are held for graduate students in architecture, business, law, and the ESTEEM program. Please consult your department for additional information.

Gregory Sterling, dean of the Graduate School, will preside over the ceremony. Fr. John Jenkins, president of the University, the academic officers and the college deans will be in attendance.

All students, staff, faculty and their guests are invited to attend the Saturday ceremony.

Venue

The Graduate School Commencement Ceremony will be held in the Compton Family Ice Arena on the south edge of campus. Immediately following the ceremony, graduates and their guests are invited to enjoy an indoor reception on the upper level of the Compton center.

RSVP Required

Students eligible to participate in the Saturday ceremony must notify the Graduate School whether they plan to attend. The RSVP form is now closed, but students may contact Graduate School by email if they have questions, or their plans have changed.
 

Commencement Weekend:
Schedule of Events (Tentative)

Important Links

• Graduate Commencement Protocol Booklet
• RSVP or notify us if your plans change
• Campus Maps and Directions
• Guest Accommodations

Associated Deadlines