Spring 2022 Commencement FAQ

Only working staff, graduating students and authorized guests are allowed in the graduate and staff entry points, or on the floor or field near graduate seating and the stage. This restriction applies to Gammage Auditorium, Desert Financial Arena, Sun Devil Stadium or other ceremony venues.

Will there be in-person ceremonies?

Yes. ASU will celebrate graduates in-person the week of May 9, 2022. 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

Are face coverings required for students, staff and guests at graduation? 

As of March 14, 2022, face coverings will not be required across ASU campuses, except in a few locations (e.g., in designated courses with select required activities, on intercampus shuttles and in healthcare settings). Anyone (faculty, staff, students and visitors) on an ASU campus location may choose to wear a face covering at any time.

Are students allowed to remove their face covering on the platform/stage (i.e. while receiving their diploma or taking their Grad Image photo)?

Yes - while graduates are on stage, taking photos, they may remove their masks. As of March 14, 2022, face coverings will not be required across ASU campuses, except in a few locations (e.g., in designated courses with select required activities, on intercampus shuttles and in healthcare settings). Anyone (faculty, staff, students and visitors) on an ASU campus location may choose to wear a face covering at any time.

Will face coverings be required outside? 

No, masks will not be required outside. As of March 14, 2022, face coverings will not be required across ASU campuses, except in a few locations (e.g., in designated courses with select required activities, on intercampus shuttles and in healthcare settings). Anyone (faculty, staff, students and visitors) on an ASU campus location may choose to wear a face covering at any time.

Are face coverings required at offsite convocation ceremonies?

Venues not operated and maintained by Arizona state University may have different mask requirements. Please check with the venue for more details. As of March 14, 2022, face coverings will not be required across ASU campuses, except in a few locations (e.g., in designated courses with select required activities, on intercampus shuttles and in healthcare settings). Anyone (faculty, staff, students and visitors) on an ASU campus location may choose to wear a face covering at any time.

Will students or guests need to be vaccinated to attend a ceremony? 

Vaccinations will not be required for students and guests to attend an on-campus ceremony. The university continues to recommend strongly that people get vaccinated. Greater rates of vaccination are the best tool available to reduce the rate of transmission in the community. Learn more at asu.edu/covid-vaccine.

Venues not operated and maintained by Arizona State University may require proof of vaccination to enter those facilities. Please check with your college or the venue for more details.

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

Yes! Students who completed coursework in 2020 or May of 2021, may participate in May 2022 and future in-person celebrations. An email was sent to students who completed coursework in 2020 or spring of 2021. This will provide information to complete your interest in participating in May 2022 events. The week of March 7, when the Marching Order registration site opens, you will receive a message indicating how to complete ceremony registration.  All information regarding ceremonies will be forwarded using your asu.edu email address. 

May 2022 and August 2022 graduates MUST register using the link found on your My ASU Page.

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 May?
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?

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 convenient. 

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 Spring 2022 Grad Fair Online will run from Friday, February 11 at 8 a.m. MST to Friday, March 4 at 8 p.m. MST. Keep an eye on your inbox on Friday, February 11 for the unique URL you will need to be able to access your discounted graduation packages.

You can purchase your graduation package online before March 4. Please note, afterGrad Fair, Online concludes, 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.