Frequently Asked Questions about Commencement

Apply for graduation by clicking on the Academics tab via MyIUP, then going to "Academic Record" and choosing Apply for Undergraduate Graduation.

Deadlines to Apply

Undergraduate

• May graduation: Must apply by November 15
• August graduation: Must apply by April 1
• December graduation: Must apply by April 1
• January graduation: Must apply by December 1

Graduate

• May graduation: Must apply by April 1
• August graduation: Must apply by April 1
• December graduation: Must apply by November 1
• January graduation: Must apply by December 31

• May: Students who will graduate at the end of spring, or the summer term directly following the spring term.
• December: Students who will graduate at the end of fall, or the winter term directly following the fall term.

• Ensure your eligibility by reviewing Degree Works.
• Confirm your eligibility with your advisor in your college.

Diplomas are mailed two to six weeks after the last term of attendance.

All graduating undergraduate students are encouraged, but not required, to attend. The main objective of the ceremony is to recognize those individuals who have dedicated their time and energy to achieve this award.

Typically, ceremonies last approximately one-and-a-half to two hours, depending on the size of the graduating class.

Tickets are not required for the Winter Ceremony.

Normally, there are separate ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate students at both Spring and Winter Commencement.

Yes. Students must confirm their attendance on their MyIUP home page to participate in the May or December commencement ceremonies. You must first apply for graduation (see How do I apply for graduation?). An overnight process needs to occur after applying before you will be able to confirm your attendance.

• Undergraduate Students: Confirm your attendance
• Graduate Students: Confirm your attendance

Guest tickets are not required for the Winter Commencement ceremonies.

Yes, they may attend. Children under the age of three must remain on the lap of another attendee. The ceremonies can be lengthy, and children may get restless. Use your discretion to determine if the child should attend.

No, there is no rehearsal.

Yes.

Graduating seniors will follow directional signage and use the dedicated, graduates-only entrance #21 located on the west/stadium side of the Kovalchick Complex for the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies.

Graduating master's and doctoral will follow directional signage and use the dedicated, graduates-only entrance #21 located on the west/stadium side of the Kovalchick Complex for the Graduate Commencement Ceremony.

Yes. Upon arrival at the KCAC there will be staff available to direct you to your set in the arena. You will be given a line-up card that will place you in alphabetical order, by college, for the procession and seating for the ceremony.

• Graduating seniors will follow directional signage and use the dedicated, graduates-only, entrance #21 located on the west/stadium side of the Kovalchick Complex for the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies.
• Staff members will be available inside to direct you to the correct location to line up.

Yes, parking is free at the KCAC on the day of the commencement ceremony!

Yes, the KCAC is accessible. Please visit the KCAC website for more details.

The doors to the KCAC will open one hour before the ceremony start time. Please be aware that once you have entered, no re-entry will be permitted.

• Graduate Ceremony: Doors open for family and friends at 8:30 a.m.

• Undergraduate Ceremonies: Doors open for family and friends at noon.

Traditional Latin honors are awarded at graduation to first bachelor's degree candidates with appropriate academic records. Calculation is based on all undergraduate credits and quality points earned at IUP. Graduation honors are not granted for second (subsequent) degrees. The distinctions are:

• Cum laude: 3.25 to 3.49 cumulative GPA

• Magna cum laude: 3.50 to 3.74 cumulative GPA

• Summa cum laude: 3.75 to 4.00 cumulative GPA

Honors medallions are awarded based on the GPA of the last term completed.

Yes, vendors will sell flowers, balloons, and water. The Co-op Store will also have a table with alumni items for sale along the upper concourse.

Caps and gowns can be pre-ordered at the Co-op Store website, or by stopping into the Co-op Store Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The website contains information about caps, gowns, announcements, and more.

Check back for updated information.

Yes. You can find more information on cap and gown orders on the Co-op Store website.

Before candidates receive their degrees, the tassel is worn on the right side of the cap. After the conferral of the degree, the tassel is moved to the left side.

Yes, IUP has contracted with Grad Images to take photos of graduates at Commencement.

Diplomas will be mailed within two to six weeks after the ceremony. Diploma covers are given at the ceremony. If you do not attend the ceremony, a diploma cover may be purchased at the Co-op Store.

• Check your Junk Mail. The anti-spam in the current IUP email environment will aid in identifying and handling messages that may be spam. With any anti-spam utility, there is a risk that some legitimate email messages will be flagged as spam.

• Is your IUP email box full? It is the responsibility of email users to monitor, read, and use their IUP email account. If your account is full, you will not receive intended messages.

Yes, but your diploma will not be sent to you, so it is pertinent to take care of these holds ASAP.

Yes, each ceremony will be available to watch in real time via the livestream. All ceremonies will also be viewable later on the IUP YouTube Channel.

Please call Co-op Store for options at 724-357-3552.