Spring 2021 Commencement FAQ

For an overview on how to participate in virtual ceremonies, please click HERE

Will there be online ceremonies?
Yes. On May 3, the university will host virtual ceremonies to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2021. The ceremonies will premiere at 9 a.m. MST on Monday, May 3, and can be viewed anytime after that. The list of virtual ceremonies can be viewed at https://graduation.asu.edu/virtual-ceremonies  The University Commencement celebration will be part of each college virtual celebration. 

Will there be convocation (college/school) ceremonies?

Yes. There will be both virtual convocation ceremonies and in-person celebrations at the individual college level. The in-person celebrations will take a variety of forms, and for health protocol reasons, attendance will be limited to the graduating students only.

Colleges and schools will host virtual convocation ceremonies, which will premiere at 9 a.m. MST May 3 on YouTube. The links for convocation and special-interest ceremonies will be posted about a week before ceremonies premiere. All ceremonies will premiere on the same day but can be viewed anytime after that. 

In-person celebrations for graduating students will occur at the individual college level, hosted by academic deans. Events associated with each college can include the hooding of doctoral candidates and many smaller events. 

Why can only graduating students attend the in-person celebrations?
Because we are still in the middle of a pandemic and because many people have not yet been able to receive a vaccination, we are choosing to prioritize the continued safety of our students. This was a difficult decision, as we know how important it is for loved ones to celebrate the achievement of their students. We appreciate your understanding on this matter and encourage families to find alternative ways to celebrate this important milestone.  

Students who are traveling to campus for graduation celebrations are advised to follow current CDC guidelines. Please review the CDC guidelines: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/

Can spring 2020 and fall 2020 graduates also participate in the in-person celebrations?
Students who completed coursework in a previous semester may reach out to their college to request to participate in activities for spring 2021. Participation is at the discretion of the college.

Will there be special-interest ceremonies this May? 
Yes — special-interest events will be celebrated virtually this May. When you register to participate in other virtual events, you will have the opportunity to select the special-interest ceremony in which you would like to participate. The links for these ceremonies will be posted about a week before they premiere. All ceremonies will premiere on May 3 but can be viewed anytime after that. 

Where will my name, photo and personal statement be listed?
It will be part of your individual college’s virtual convocation ceremony. The link to complete your ceremony registration will be found on your My ASU page. The registration will provide the opportunity to upload a photo and personal statement. For an overview on how to participate in virtual ceremonies, please click HERE.

Does participating in virtual ceremonies mean I cannot attend in person ceremonies later?
No — you are welcome to do both. Students are welcome to participate in future in-person ceremonies as they are available to do so; they will need to reach out to their respective colleges to find out details on that. Participation is at the discretion of the college.

If I don’t want to participate in any of the ceremonies, do I need to apply to graduate?
Yes. You must apply to graduate regardless of ceremony participation. For information on how to apply for graduation, visit https://students.asu.edu/registration/graduation-apply.

Do I need to register to participate in commencement or convocation (school/college ceremonies)?
No — the virtual ceremonies will be available for anyone to view. However, if you would like to include your personal message along with a photo in the ceremony, you will need to complete the Virtual Graduation Registration. Graduating students will find the link to register for college or school convocation events on your My ASU page. The deadline to submit a photo and personal message is Wednesday, April 21, 2021. For an overview on how to participate in Virtual Ceremonies, please click HERE.

In-person celebrations for graduating students will occur at the individual college level, hosted by academic deans. Events associated with each college may include the hooding of doctoral candidates and many smaller innovative events. Information about these activities will be available through each college. Attendance at these events will be limited to graduating students only.. 

Are we allowed to visit campus to take graduation photographs?
Yes, but everyone is asked to practice physical distancing as much as possible. The safety of our community is extremely important as COVID-19 continues to spread across the Phoenix metropolitan area and throughout Arizona.

In addition, GradImages will be taking complimentary photos at each of ASU's campuses. For more information about photo dates, locations and links to register, please visit  https://graduation.asu.edu/ceremonies/memories  Graduates may register to take photos at any available campus location that is convienient. 

For another fun way to create virtual mementos, please visit https://graduation.asu.edu/get-social 
to view and download a number of graphics, Zoom backgrounds, social media filters and GIFs to help you celebrate your achievement.  

Do I need to participate in a ceremony to graduate?
No. If students choose not to take part in any ceremony and their university academic requirements are met, similar to prior years, students will receive their diplomas in the mail.

How will I receive my diploma?
If your university academic requirements are met, similar to prior years, students will receive their diplomas in the mail. Diplomas are mailed approximately six to eight weeks after the degree conferral date. Graduates will receive an email notification via their ASU email account when their diploma has been mailed. Diplomas are mailed to the student's diploma mailing address, which can be viewed and updated from My ASU. For more information, visit https://students.asu.edu/diploma.

I am not participating in any graduation activities. How do I request my diploma case?
Graduates who do not plan to return for future graduation celebrations may request to have a diploma case mailed directly to them. You can request your diploma case by contacting your college.

Can I still purchase a cap and gown? 
Yes! See http://colleges.herffjones.com/college/_arizonastate/ for information about graduation regalia.

You can purchase your graduation package online before April 6. Please note, after the Online Grad Fair, graduation packages will be full price.

Don't want to wait? You can purchase your cap and gown at any Sun Devil Campus Store now. 

If I want to attend an in-person ceremony at a later time, will I still be able to purchase my graduation regalia?
Students who graduated in a previous semester are not sent information about graduation events. Students can review the information on purchasing caps and gowns at bit.ly/asu-grad-wear. Students can purchase regalia anytime.

What if I have a question about graduation announcements?
Please email help@southwestgrad.com and the Herff Jones representatives will respond directly.

How do I get my honor cords?
If you are an undergraduate student who is eligible for academic honors (cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude), the university will mail your honors cords to your diploma address beginning in late March 2021. 

Honor cords are for undergraduates who have earned at least 56 credit hours of resident credit at ASU. Your current GPA as verified at the time you request your honor cords will determine which cords you are given. For more information, visit https://students.asu.edu/graduation-ceremonies.

Why do we need to pay a graduation fee?
It's common for universities to have a fee associated with graduation. The graduation fee pays for items such as the diploma, diploma case and honor cords. The fee is paid at the time you apply for graduation. 

Will we need to pay twice if we decide to attend both commencement this semester and at a later date?

No. The graduation fee is for the processing of a student's degree, the diploma case and other consumable items; students do not pay to participate in commencement or college graduation events. Students are welcome to participate in future ceremonies as they are available to do so; they will need to reach out to their respective colleges to find out details on that.