Commencement vs. Graduation

By Amelia Smith, Registrar Services Specialist-Graduation Coordinator

Commencement and graduation are related concepts, but they are not the same. It’s easy to see how commencement vs. graduation might be used to mean the same thing. But when you know what each term means, you can better understand how they’re related to each other and how they differ.

For example, you can have one without the other.  You can graduate but choose not to walk in commencement. In this situation, you meet the requirements for your major and earn your degree and diploma, but you don’t participate in the traditional cap-and-gown ceremony.

At many colleges and universities, you can also walk in commencement without officially graduating. In this scenario, you may be permitted to take part in the commencement ceremony with your classmates as long as you meet the graduation requirements soon after commencement.

Commencement

• What it is: The ceremonial event that honors students, often called graduation or “walking.”
• Meaning: A public celebration recognizing students.
• When it happens: Usually at the end of a semester.
• Result: You walk across the stage, hear your name called, and celebrate with family and friends.

🎓 Commencement is a ceremony, not the awarding of the degree.

Graduation

• What it is: The official academic completion of degree requirements.
• Meaning: You have met all requirements (courses, credits, GPA, etc.) and have been awarded your degree.
• When it happens: After final grades are posted and requirements are verified.
• Result: Your degree is conferred and appears on your academic record; your diploma is issued.

🎓 Graduation is a status, not an event.

Quick Comparison

Example of Commencement vs Graduation

• In the summer of 2014, a student participated in the commencement ceremony.
• In March 2016, he informed the Registrar’s Office that he had completed his degree requirements.
• The student expected his diploma to reflect an August 2014 graduation date.
• He claimed that he had “graduated” and “walked” in the summer of 2014.
• However, he officially completed his degree requirements in 2016, meaning his actual graduation date was in May 2016.

The bottom line

You graduate when your degree is officially awarded.

You attend commencement to celebrate that achievement.