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Eligibility & Registration

 

STUDENT TERM AND CEREMONY PARTICIPATION
 
Invitations for the university – wide ceremonies are issued based on the individual student’s graduation term as outlined below. Students are not eligible to attend ceremonies outside of their graduation term.  
 

Student Graduation Term

Student Commencement
Ceremony Participation

Spring
(April)

Spring Commencement

Summer
(May, June, August)

Winter Commencement

Fall
(December)

Winter Commencement
 

GRADUATION

  • Graduation is the completion of all degree requirements as recorded on the official transcript. To officially graduate, students must satisfy all degree program requirements.  All students must register to graduate by submitting an official online graduation application through my.pitt.edu. More information about this separate process can be found here. 
     
  • The University Registrar or the student records department of each school or college can assist with any eligibility or diploma questions.
     
  • Applying for graduation is required regardless of your plans to attend Commencement.

COMMENCEMENT

  • Commencement is the ceremony celebrating graduating students! Students must satisfy all degree program requirements prior to the date of the scheduled commencement ceremony. Students will be invited to attend the first ceremony that occurs after they satisfy all degree program requirements.
     
  • The Office of Special Events coordinates the university-wide ceremony only. Questions regarding school, college or department ceremonies/celebrations should be directed to the respective school or college.
     

REGISTRATION

  • All eligible candidates, who have graduated or are graduating between May 2024 - December 2024, will receive an invitation for the university-wide ceremony in October from the Office of Special Events (commencement@pitt.edu). The invitation goes to the candidate's PITT EMAIL ADDRESS. 

  • An RSVP link is provided within the invitation. The deadline to register for the university-wide ceremony is Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 6 p.m. Responses after this date and time will not be accepted. A confirmation email is automatically sent to the candidate upon successful completion of the registration.
     
  • Be sure to record your name ASAP!  Check your email on how to record your name pronunciation via NameCoach. Search for the subject "Check this off your Commencement list!" or commencement@pitt.edu.