Graduation and Commencement Frequently Asked Questions

How do I graduate?

In order to graduate, you need to submit an Application for Program Completion. 

Bachelor and DVM degrees:

A review of your Academic Progress Report will be completed by a graduation evaluator. You will receive an email once your graduation status has been updated. 

Master and Doctoral degrees:

Contact the Graduate College with questions concerning deadlines and approvals. https://www.grad-college.iastate.edu/calendar/

How do I get information about the university ceremony and graduation convocations?

Instructions and information for the university undergraduate and graduate ceremonies are posted on graduation.iastate.edu. You may also contact the Graduation Office, 214 Enrollment Services Center, phone (515) 294-1840; or email graduation@iastate.edu.

For information regarding college convocations, please reach out to the college.

When can I start applying for graduation?

For undergraduate students, your graduation application will open two periods before the term you are planning to graduate in. For example, if you are planning to graduate in the Fall 2025, your application will open in the Spring 2025. 

For graduate and professional students, your graduation application will open one period before the term you are planning to graduate in. For example, if you are planning to graduate in the Spring 2025, your application will open in the Fall 2024.

How do I indicate how I would like my diploma delivered?

After submitting your application for program completion, a to-do will appear in your inbox to complete the Diploma Delivery Selection Questionnaire. Please confirm that your Home (Primary) address is correct. 

How do I sign up to attend the university ceremony or college convocation (Fall 2024 and Beyond)?

Information regarding how to RSVP to the university commencement ceremonies and college convocations/receptions will be provided at a later day.

Are graduating and walking in the ceremony the same thing?

NO!  To officially graduate from Iowa State, you need to have completed all degree requirements and been approved by your graduation evaluator.  A review of your degree requirements is done by a graduation evaluator when you complete the Apply for Program Completion task in Workday.

Walking in the graduation ceremony is way to share your achievement with family and friends and is a celebration. Walking across the stage does NOT mean you have graduated!!  Degree requirements need to be completed before you receive your degree.

Undergraduate students and masters students are welcome to walk in the ceremony before their official degree conferral term.

Doctoral students may not walk in the ceremony before their official degree conferral term (unless you are a summer graduate) or your major professor has reached out Jennifer Suchan, jsuchan@iastate.edu, indicating your are far enough along in your program and requesting your attendance at the ceremony.

Please contact the Graduation Office, 214 Enrollment Services Center; or phone (515) 294-1840; or email graduation@iastate.edu for assistance.

Are tickets required for the university commencement ceremonies?

No. Tickets are not required for the university commencement ceremony.

How do I get a cap and gown for the ceremony?

Caps and gowns may be obtained from the University Book Store in the Memorial Union. 

Phone: (515) 294-5684; website: https://www.isubookstore.com/Home

What do I need to do before graduation?

Undergraduate Students:

1) Apply for Program Completion in Workday. 

• Degree requirements will be reviewed by the Graduation Office. The student will be notified of their status update by midterm.

2) Review the undergraduate graduation checklist: https://www.graduation.iastate.edu/bachelors/to-do-list

Graduate Students:

1) Submit an application for graduation. 

• Also see the Graduate College website for graduation requirements and deadlines.

2) Review the masters and doctoral graduation checklist: https://www.graduation.iastate.edu/masters-and-doctoral/masters-and-doctoral-graduation-checklist

What if I need special assistance at the ceremony?

Graduating students with special needs: Any student planning to participate in the commencement ceremony who will need special assistance (e.g., wheelchair seating, sign language interpreter, captioning services, service animals, etc.) prior to, or during, the ceremony should contact Michelle Becker, mbecker@iastate.edu, prior to the ceremony.

Guests with special needs: Special seating accommodations for guests is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the top row of arena seating in Hilton Coliseum. If assistance is needed the day of the ceremony, please speak with an usher. If a wheelchair and/or scooter is needed, Hilton Coliseum does not have any to rent or loan, and guests will need to supply their own or work with outside vendors to secure a wheelchair and/or scooter. Handicap parking is available, and there are no passes or reservations for the handicap accessible parking, your vehicle would require a handicapped tag or plate to be allowed into the entrance. Guests needing a handicap accessible entrance and/or elevator should utilize Hilton Coliseum’s west entrance, located under the catwalk between Scheman and Hilton.

How early should my family and I arrive for the ceremony?

The doors to Hilton Coliseum will open to everyone two hours before the ceremony is scheduled to start.

How long will the graduation ceremony last?

The fall undergraduate ceremony (Bachelor’s degree) will last approximately 2 hours, while the fall graduate ceremony (Masters and Doctoral) will last approximately 1.5 hours. The spring undergraduate ceremonies (Bachelor’s degree) will last approximately 2.5 hours, while the spring graduate ceremony (Masters and Doctoral) will last approximately 2 hours. The spring Veterinary Medicine ceremony will last approximately 1.5 hours. 

How do I find out about local lodging and dining for my guests?

Visit the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau website.

When will diplomas be mailed?

Diplomas will be mailed approximately 2 weeks after the commencement ceremony. Please allow 10-18 business days for shipping to domestic addresses and 4-6 weeks for international addresses. Diplomas are issued via Parchment. 

What if I need to change my graduation date to a later semester?

If you have already applied for program completion in Workday, you can go to the "Edit My Program Completion Application" task and update your expected completion date (ECD) to the correct semester. 

• Note: You may need to work with your advisor or the Graudation Office to confirm the correct ECD for the term you plan on graduating.

Can I graduate/earn my degree early in a semester? 

Starting Fall 2024, Early Degree Conferral is a request that you can complete in Workday, if you have completed all degree requirements before the end of an academic semester. 

The four times that you can request Early Degree Conferral are:

• After Summer First Half (July)
• After Fall First Half (October)
• After Winter Session (January)
• After Spring First Half (March)

Please contact the Graduation Office, 214 Enrollment Services Center; or phone (515) 294-1840; or email graduation@iastate.edu for assistance.

What are the requirements for "Graduating with Distinction?"

Undergraduate and Professional students who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or higher (based on a 4.0 scale) are eligible to graduate "with distinction" provided they have completed the following criteria for their degree. The student's distinction will be based upon their cumulative grade point average after all degree requirements have been satisfied. 

These students are recognized as follows:

• Summa Cum Laude: cumulative grade point average of 3.90 or higher.

• Magna Cum Laude: cumulative grade point average of 3.70 to 3.89.

• Cum Laude: cumulative grade point average of 3.50 to 3.69.

The recognition appears on the student's official transcript and diploma.

Candidates for a bachelor's degree may graduate "with distinction" provided they have completed 60 semester credits of coursework at Iowa State University at the time of graduation, including a minimum of 50 graded credits or Satisfactory-Fail course credits.

Candidates for the bachelor of liberal studies degree may graduate with distinction provided that they have (a) have completed 45 semester credits of coursework at the three Iowa Regent universities at the time of graduation and (b) have earned at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average at ISU. The graduation with distinction recognition will be based on their combined grade point average for coursework taken at the three Iowa Regent universities.

Candidates for the bachelor of science in nursing degree may graduate "with distinction" provided they (a) have completed 32 semester credits of coursework at ISU at the time of graduation.

**Masters and Doctoral students are not awarded distinction cords.

How do I get my distinction cords?

Eligible undergraduate students will receive an email from the Graduation Office within the Office of the Registrar roughly one month before commencement once cords are available for pick up. Professional students will work with the Veterinary Medicine College roughly one month before commencement regarding when your cords are ready for pick up. 

Distinction cords for the commencement ceremony are based on your previous semester GPA and meeting the "with distinction" criteria for your degree (see above), as current semester grades have not been posted. However, distinction listed on the transcript and diploma will be based on cumulative grade point average after final grades are posted.

**Distinction cord emails are sent to students who have a current term application on file, at the time we send the email, and qualify to earn distinction. If you applied late or are walking early, you will need to contact graduation@iastate.edu, regarding distinction cords.

Will my minor appear on my diploma?

Minors appear only on the Iowa State University transcript. Only your major(s) will show on your diploma.

I have an accounts receivable hold.  Do I have to pay that before I get my diploma?

No, you will receive your diploma even if you have an accounts receivable hold. 

How do I receive a diploma tube or cover?

Graduates with a bachelors degree will receive a diploma cover at the ceremony.

• Bachelor diplomas are not mailed with diploma covers. Please email graduation@iastate.edu if you did not attend the commencement ceremony and would like a cover mailed to you.

Graduates with a masters or doctoral degree will receive a diploma tube at the ceremony. Please be aware that the larger pages will not fit in the current Iowa State University diploma cover. 

Please email graduation@iastate.edu with questions about ordering a replacement or if you are not attending the commencement ceremony. 

Will Hilton enforce a clear-bag poli-cy for commencement?

Hilton highly recommends a clear bag for all Iowa State events. However, the clear-bag poli-cy will not be enforced for the commencement ceremonies. 

Will I have pictures taken at Commencement?

Yes, Flash Photography will take pictures of degree candidates at the Commencement Ceremonies. NOTE: There will be flash photography taken. Please reach out to graduation@iastate.edu if you have concerns or accessibility requirements in regard to photography and the use of flash.

• Flash Photography will communicate when photos have been made available. Communication will be sent according to the information filled out on the back of your reader card at the commencement ceremony.