Commencement Ceremony Participation
Commencement Ceremonies
At the University of Missouri, several commencement ceremonies are held over a three-day weekend.
The ceremony for all graduate students in all schools and colleges is the Graduate School Commencement Ceremony. In the spring semester, there are two ceremonies–one for master’s and educational specialist graduates and one for doctoral graduates.
Other ceremonies are for professional and undergraduate students. Some schools and colleges, however, recognize their graduate students at their undergraduate or professional commencement ceremonies. Contact your academic program for more information.
For a complete listing of places and times of ceremonies, please visit the MU Commencement website.
Certificate Recipients
There is no ceremony for students earning only a graduate certificate at this time.
Students Graduating in the Current Term
Students are who are completing a graduate degree in the fall or spring term are eligible to participate in the fall or spring ceremony respectively provided they:
- Have the necessary degree paperwork on file.
- Have completed the online application for graduation.
- Completed the online RSVP to attend Commencement.
Recent Graduates
Students are eligible to attend the commencement ceremony only for the term in which they are graduating, unless they are a summer graduate.
The Graduate School recognizes, however, that there can be certain circumstances beyond a student’s control that may prevent this. Therefore, if you have already graduated and wish to participate in an upcoming commencement ceremony, please contact the Graduate School during the first month of the term by emailing your request to umcgradsturecords@missouri.edu. You will be contacted with further instructions.
Summer Graduates
Summer graduates are invited to participate in the fall commencement ceremony following their summer graduation.
The Graduate School recognizes, however, there may be certain circumstances that necessitate a summer graduate participating in the spring ceremony prior to their term of graduation.
To be eligible to participate in the spring ceremony prior to your summer graduation:
- Complete the Summer Application for Graduation available concurrently with the Spring Application for Graduation.
- A doctoral candidate must successfully defend their dissertation and submit the D4 on or before the last day of the Spring semester. Students enrolled in clinical doctorates must also submit the D4 form before participating.
- An educational specialist candidate must have an approved S1 and S2 on file with the Graduate School prior to completing the application for graduation.
- A master’s candidate must have an approved M1 (an M2 if doing a thesis option) on file with the Graduate School prior to completing the application for graduation.
- Complete the online RSVP to attend the spring commencement ceremony.
- Is not an indication of completion (i.e., graduation).
- Does not mean a student can receive their diploma, transcripts, and other final documentation early.
Ceremony Check-In
Please arrive at the ceremony location one hour prior to the beginning of the event.
- For ceremonies being held in the Hearnes Center, students should proceed directly to the Field House.
- For ceremonies being held in Jesse Auditorium, students should proceed directly to the second floor. Signs will direct you to the proper check-in table.
Hooding faculty members should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony.
Regalia
All candidates must wear academic attire at the ceremony.
Caps, gowns, tassels, and hoods can be obtained from the University Bookstore, 573-882-7611. The deadline to order your cap, gown, tassel, and hood is at least 1.5 months in advance of commencement.
Pick up your academic attire early to make certain that the company sent your correct order to the bookstore.
Tickets and Access
- No tickets are required. You may invite as many people as you would like.
- Accommodations are available for people with disabilities.
- You can find more information about guests, access, parking and lodging on the commencement website.
Privacy Holds
Placing a privacy hold on your student record will prevent the University from releasing any information without your written request. This hold will prevent your name from appearing in the commencement bulletin distributed at all of the graduation ceremonies.
If you would like your name to appear in the bulletin, log on to Student Center in myZou and select Privacy Settings from the drop-down menu in Personal Information.
If you cannot access myZou, supply the Graduate School with written permission (include full name and eight-digit student ID number) at least two months before the last day of classes. E-mails cannot be accepted as a form of permission. This should be delivered to 125 Jesse Hall or faxed to 573-884-4997.
If you have any questions, please send an e-mail notifying the Registrar’s Office to: commencement@missouri.edu.
Photographs
Chappell Graduation Images provides a candid photography service at commencement. Graduates are photographed as they receive their commemorative diploma covers. View and order photos online at gradimages.com. There is no obligation to purchase these pictures. You will receive proofs approximately one week after graduation.
Questions Regarding Commencement
If you have questions about any of the information provided, please contact the Graduate School umcgradsturecords@missouri.edu or 573-882-6311 (toll free at 800-877-6312).