Fall 2021 Commencement FAQ

Will there be in-person ceremonies?

Yes. ASU will celebrate graduates in-person the week of December 13, 2021. For a list of ceremonies please visit https://graduation.asu.edu/ceremonies/latest

Will there be convocation (college/school) ceremonies?

Yes. There will be in-person celebrations at the individual college level. The full list of ceremonies can be viewed at https://graduation.asu.edu/ceremonies/latest

I graduated in spring or fall of 2020/spring of 2021. Can I participate in future in-person celebrations?

Yes! Students who completed coursework in a previous semester may participate in December 2021 and future in-person celebrations. A link will be part of your My ASU page. All information regarding ceremonies will be forwarded using your asu.edu email address.

You may register to participate in the college convocation event and University Undergraduate Commencement. You must register in order to have a registration/reader card available for pick up for your college convocation event. Students are not individually recognized at University Undergraduate Commencement so your general participation and an indication of the number of guests who will attend is all that is required.

Doctoral candidates are individually recognized and cross the stage at University Graduate Commencement so you will need to complete your registration to have a reader card available for Graduate Commencement.

Master degree candidates are eligible to participate in Graduate Commencement. Your general participation and an indication of the number of guests who will attend Graduate Commencement is all that is required. Master degree candidates will be individually hooded at this event but will not be individually recognized. Individual recognition (having your name called and crossing the stage) for master degree candidates will take place at the college convocation event.

Will there be special-interest ceremonies this December? 
Yes — special-interest events will be celebrated in-person. When you register to participate in other graduation events, you will have the opportunity to select the special-interest ceremony in which you would like to participate through the ceremony registration page.

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)?
Yes. It is necessary to register to participte in any in-person events. A link will be made available to you on your My ASU page. 

Are we allowed to visit campus to take graduation photographs?
Yes, but everyone is asked to practice physical distancing as much as possible. 

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, graduates will receive their diplomas in the mail.

How will I receive my diploma?
If your university academic requirements are met, you will receive your diploma 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.

How can I purchase a cap and gown? 

See http://colleges.herffjones.com/college/_arizonastate/ for information about graduation regalia.

The Fall 2021 Online Grad Fair will run from Friday, October 15 at 7 a.m. MST to Sunday, October 24 at 9 p.m. MST. Keep an eye on your inbox on Friday, Oct. 15 for the unique URL you will need to be able to access your discounted graduation packages.

You can purchase your graduation package online before Nov 15. Please note, after the Online Grad Fair, graduation packages will be full price. 

Commemorative maroon and gold tassels are also available. All items can be purchased via the Herff Jones online store.

For questions about the Online Grad Fair, you can email help@southwestgrad.com or call 480-219-3247. 

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 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?
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.

Pick up honor cords at any University Registrar Services location.

ASU Online Students: After you apply to graduate you will receive an email with additional information about honor cords and 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 for details.