Doctoral degree Candidates
Participating in doctoral graduation ceremonies and celebrations
Congratulations, Sun Devil! Earning a doctoral degree is a significant academic achievement, and ASU offers several opportunities to celebrate this milestone with family, friends, faculty, and the university community.
University Graduate Commencement
📅 Monday, December 14, 2026
🕘 9:00 a.m. (Doors open at 8:00 a.m.)
📍 Desert Financial Arena
University Graduate Commencement is a university-wide celebration where graduate degrees are formally conferred by President Crow. Doctoral and professional doctoral degree candidates are individually recognized, cross the stage, and have their names announced during the ceremony. No tickets are required for graduates or guests to attend. Doors open at 8:00 a.m., and doctoral candidates should arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. at the southeast concourse of Mountain America Stadium, located west of Desert Financial Arena, to check in and receive their name card. Candidates must receive a name card to participate in the processional and have their names announced. Doctoral candidates should coordinate directly with their faculty hooder before the ceremony and arrange a meeting location outside the arena prior to entering. Graduates must hand-carry their regalia through security before entering the arena. Seats not occupied by graduates by 8:30 a.m. may be released to the general public, and late-arriving students are not guaranteed participation. Desert Financial Arena is a Clear Bag Facility, and all graduates and guests should review and follow the Clear Bag Policy before arriving.
Follow the steps below to participate in commencement, convocation, and celebration events.
Before you can register for graduation ceremonies, you must apply for graduation through MyASU.
Applying for graduation and registering for ceremonies are two separate steps:
- Applying for graduation begins the process of reviewing and awarding your degree.
- Registering for ceremonies reserves your place at commencement, convocation, and celebration events.
All graduate graduation events require registration.
Once your graduation application has been submitted and processed, registration links will become available through MyASU. Registration for Fall Ceremonies opens in October.
University Graduate Commencement
University Graduate Commencement is ASU's university-wide ceremony for master's and doctoral degree candidates, where graduate degrees are formally conferred by President Crow.+
Doctoral and professional doctoral degree candidates are recognized individually during the ceremony and cross the stage as their names are announced.
The Rite of Investiture (Hooding)
The Rite of Investiture, commonly known as "hooding," takes place during Graduate Commencement.
Doctoral candidates participate in the Rite of Investiture by having their academic hood placed on them by a faculty hooder. Candidates will identify their hooder during the registration process and should coordinate meeting arrangements before the ceremony.
Doctoral candidates should carry their hoods into the ceremony and wait to put them on until instructed during the Rite of Investiture.
College convocations
College convocations are hosted by your academic college and provide individual recognition for graduates.
At convocation, graduates cross the stage, have their names announced and receive individual recognition for their achievement.
Special interest celebrations
ASU also offers celebrations that recognize various student communities and experiences.
Graduates are welcome to participate in these events in addition to commencement and convocation.
How do I know I'm registered?
After successfully completing your registration, you will receive a "Ceremony Registration Confirmation" email.
If you do not receive a confirmation email, your registration may not have been completed. Check your registration status in Tassel or contact the ceremony organizer for assistance.
We recommend saving your confirmation email, as it may contain important ceremony information and updates.
Summer Graduates
Doctoral candidates who complete degree requirements during the summer term are eligible to participate in either the preceding spring ceremonies or the following fall ceremonies. Candidates must apply for graduation and pay applicable fees before ceremony registration becomes available through MyASU.
University Graduate Commencement
Monday, December 14, 2026
9:00 a.m.
Desert Financial Arena
Doors open at 8:00 a.m.
Before You Arrive
- Review venue policies before attending.
- Follow Desert Financial Arena's Clear Bag Policy
- Allow extra time for security screening.
- Bring only approved items.
Graduate Arrival
Doctoral candidates should arrive no later than 8:30 a.m. at the southeast concourse of Mountain America Stadium, located west of Desert Financial Arena.
Upon arrival, candidates will check in and receive their name card. The name card is required to pass security, participate in the processional and have your name announced during the ceremony.
Candidates should carry their hoods with them and should not wear them when entering the arena. Hoods will be placed during the Rite of Investiture.
Doctoral candidates should coordinate directly with their faculty hooder regarding a meeting location prior to entering the arena.
Seats not occupied by graduates by 8:30 a.m. may be released to the general public. Late-arriving students are not guaranteed participation.
Only graduates, authorized personnel and event staff may access graduate seating and staging areas.
Guest Information
University Graduate Commencement does not require tickets for graduates or guests.
Guests should review venue policies before arriving and follow the arena's Clear Bag Policy. Guests who bring prohibited items may be asked to return them to their vehicle before entering.
Don’t forget about your cap and gown!
A cap, gown and hood are required for graduate commencement, convocation and most celebration events.
At ASU venues, graduates are required to hand-carry their gown through security before entering and may put it on after clearing security.
Visit the Cap and Gown Guide for information about Grad Fair, graduation attire requirements, purchasing options and wearing instructions.
Not sure which event to attend as a Doctoral candidate?
Commencement is the university-wide celebration where degrees are conferred, doctoral candidates are hooded, have their name announced and cross the stage.
Convocation is your college ceremony where your name is announced and you cross the stage.