Your Graduation and Commencement Toolkit
Preparing to graduate this semester? This toolkit is your hub for everything you need to know as you plan your final semester at 兔子先生传媒文化作品!听
Please note that this toolkit is intended for use by graduate students (graduate certificate, master's, and doctoral students) only.
GRADUATION
Expand the tabs below for more information on preparing for graduation!
APPLYING FOR GRADUATION
Applying to Graduate
Applying to graduate is the first step to preparing to graduate! All students are required to apply to graduate in order to have their degree awarded for the term of their graduation.
We've got a new webpage that details on applying for graduation including:
- How to apply for graduation
- How to check if you have applied to graduate or review your application
- Frequently asked questions
How to Apply for Graduation Webpage
Planning to graduate this term or the next term? Be sure to apply to graduate as early as possible to ensure you receive graduation and commencement related mailings.
DEGREE CHECKLISTS
Degree Checklist Webpages
Searching for a degree checklist? Here are links to each of our checklists containing the requirements of the College of Graduate Studies to graduate!听
Important note! Remember to always connect with your advisor/plan of study contact to determine whether or not additional requirements must be met within your department for graduation.
GRADUATE FORMS
Academic Program Forms Webpage
Searching for graduate academic forms? Visit our Academic Program Forms webpage for:
- Plan of Study forms for each degree
- Thesis, dissertation, and project forms
- And more!
ELECTRONIC THESIS & DISSERTATION (ETD) INFORMATION
Electronic Thesis & Dissertation Deadlines
Wrapping up a thesis or dissertation? Here are the deadlines to save in your calendar for Fall 2025! For future terms, visit our ETD Preparation webpage.
Electronic Thesis & Dissertation Webpage
We've got information and resources to support you as you prepare cross the finish line! Visit our Thesis & Dissertation Preparation webpage.
This is your hub for:
- Important dates
- Details about the preparation and upload process
- Formatting checklists
- Templates
- Answers to frequently asked questions
- And more!
Electronic Thesis & Dissertation Drop-In Hours
Throughout Fall 2025, our in-house ETD expert and director Teri Green will be online weekly on Wednesdays from 12 - 1 p.m. to answer your questions on accessibility, formatting, upload, and more!听
If you're graduating this term, we recommend RSVPing and saving all of the calendar invitations for all ETD Drop-In Hours via InvoNet.
DIPLOMA AND TRANSCRIPT INFORMATION
Diplomas
For information on diplomas and certificates including mailing and digital diplomas, visit the Office of the Registrar's Diplomas and Certificates webpage.听
Transcripts
For information on ordering your official transcripts, visit the Office of the Registrar's Transcripts webpage.听
GRADUATION FAQs
What is the difference between graduation and commencement?听听
Graduation refers to the official awarding of your degree by 兔子先生传媒文化作品. Commencement refers to the ceremony celebrating the completion of your degree requirements.听
When do I officially graduate?听
Students officially graduate when the university clears them for graduation and awards their degree. Students can visit their student profile in their MyUT Portal student tab to view whether their degree has been officially awarded.听
Degrees are typically awarded in the weeks following the date of commencement.听
When can I expect my diploma to arrive?
Once the degree has been posted, students should generally expect to receive their diploma or certificate by mail within three weeks. The diploma is sent to the address indicated in the graduation application.听
I put the wrong address in my graduation application and I want my diploma mailed somwhere else. How do I change it?
You can change the diploma mailing address using the Office of the Registrar's Diploma Address Change form. Important note: You can only complete this form up to the last day of your term of graduation.听
Commencement
Expand the tabs below to review information that will help you prepare for the commencement ceremony!听
COMMENCEMENT TO-DO LIST
1. Apply for Graduation听
This applies for all who are graduating, but is an important step in preparing for commencement! Applying for graduation by the posted deadline ensures you receive all commencement-related communications from The College of Graduate Studies and Office of the Registrar.听
2. Keep an Eye on Your Rockets Email
Check your Rockets email regularly throughout the semester for important commencement updates and action items!听
3. Doctoral Candidates Only: Complete the Commencement Program Webform
All doctoral candidates who applied to graduate for Summer 2025 and Fall 2025 by the posted dealine for their term of graduation will receive an email from gradsuccess@utoledo.edu with a link to input their information for the commencement program booklet.
Doctoral candidates can expect emails regarding the webform starting the week of September 15, 2025.
4. Complete the Tassel (formerly called MarchingOrder) RSVP and Name Pronunciation Form
You'll receive an email with a link to complete your commencement RSVP and name pronunciation form. This form guarantees you guest tickets, captures your name (and hooder's name if you are a doctoral candidate) pronunciation to be played aloud during commencement, and displays your name and program (and hooder if you are a doctoral candidate) as you cross the stage! It is very important that you fill this out!听
5. Purchase Your Regalia
You must purchase regalia to participate in commencement. Learn more about where to purchase regalia and what your regalia will look like here!听
6. Review Commencement Website for Important Commencement Information
Have questions about parking, accessibility, and other important commencement day topics? Review commencement information posted for your ceremony here!
7. Pick Up Your Name Card
If you filled out your Tassel RSVP and name pronunciation form, you'll be issued a name card with a barcode that you will provide to a staff member to scan during commencement. This reads off your name and displays it on screen as you cross the stage. You can pick up your name card on the week of commencement and find information on pickup locations here.听
8. Celebrate!
You did it! Enjoy commencement day and be proud of your hard work and achievements.
To-Do at a Glance
- Apply for Graduation
- Monitor Rockets Email
- Doctoral Candidates: Program Webform
- Commencement RSVP Form
- Purchase Regalia
- Review Commencement Website
- Pick Up Name Card
- Celebrate!
DOCTORAL ONLY: COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM WEBFORM
Commencement Program Webform (Doctoral Candidates Only)
Doctoral candidates, if you applied to graduate for Summer 2025 and Fall 2025 by the posted dealine for your term of graduation, you will receive an email from gradsuccess@utoledo.edu with a form link to input your information for the commencement program booklet issued during the ceremony.听
In the form, you will indicate your advisor, thesis/dissertation/scholarly project title, and previous institution information.
Doctoral candidates can expect emails regarding the webform starting the week of September 15, 2025.听
RSVPING FOR COMMENCEMENT
RSVPing for Commencement
If you apply to graduate by the Office of the Registrar's posted deadline found on their Commencement webpage, you will receive an email from Tassel with a link to RSVP for the commencement ceremony and submit your name pronunciation (and if you're a doctoral candidate, your hooder's information).听
Tip for doctoral candidates: Be sure to select and coordinate with your hooder for commencement as early in the semester as possible! For more information on doctoral hooding, visit our Doctoral Hooding Ceremony webpage.听
REGALIA
Purchasing Regalia
All graduates must wear regalia (cap, gown, & hood) to participate in the commencement ceremony.
Students can purchase regalia online or in-store. Visit our All Things Regalia webpage for information on what regalia to wear for your degree/program and where to purchase regalia.
How to Wear My Regalia
Our partner Oak Hall takes you through how to wear your grad gear! Below you'll find helpful videos for master's and doctoral regalia:
Doctoral candidates: Remember, you won't wear your hood before the ceremony. You'll drape it over your arm with the velvet trim pointed outwards.听
DOCTORAL HOODING
What is the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony?
At the start of commencement, all doctoral candidates are hooded in a ceremony by a hooder of their choice. While this is usually the doctoral candidate's dissertation/scholarly project advisor, they may choose another hooder.听
Who Can Be a Hooder?
A hooder must hold a terminal degree i.e. the highest degree in a specific field (Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Business Administration, Juris Doctor, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master of Library Science, etc.)
Visit our Doctoral Hooding Webpage for More Information!
We have a Doctoral Hooding Ceremony webpage that you and your hooder can use to learn more including:
- What to expect during the ceremony
- A how-to video and video of a doctoral hooding ceremony
- Answers to frequently asked questions
IMPORTANT COMMENCEMENT DAY INFORMATION
Office of the Registrar Commencement Webpage
Great for graduates: The Office of the Registrar's commencement website is where you'll find information on RSVPing for commencement, name card pickup, lineup, and other important day-of details.
University Commencement Website
Great for guests: The University Commencement website is where you'll find accessibility information, past commencement videos and programs, and more!听
COMMENCEMENT FAQs
What is the difference between graduation and commencement?听
Graduation refers to the official awarding of your degree by 兔子先生传媒文化作品. Commencement refers to the ceremony celebrating the completion of your degree requirements.听
What if I didn't complete my Tassel RSVP by the deadline?
You can still attend commencement! If you do not RSVP via Tassel (sent to your Rockets email) by the deadline, email graduation@utoledo.edu to request guest tickets for commencement.
On the day of commencement, you will be provided with a red card which you can use to input your name pronunciation and email for commencement photos.听
Will commencement be livestreamed?
Yes! You can share the link to the commencement livestream with friends and family. The link will become available on the University Commencement webpage as we near commencement day.
Will there be a photographer at commencement?
Yes, a photographer will take a picture of you before you cross the stage. You will receive an email following the ceremony to view and purchase photos.听
I'm a graduate. When should I arrive?
All graduates must arrive 45 minutes prior to commencement start time to line up. Graduates are pre-seated, which means they will proceed into Savage Arena to be seated for the ceremony prior to the start of the ceremony. For more details on arrival, visit the Office of the Registrar's Commencement webpage.听
How long is commencement?
You can expect the commencement ceremony to last between 1.5 to 2 hours.听
Back to TopQuestions?听
Let us know! We're happy to share more information about graduation and commencement with you.
We are so excited to celebrate you this December, Rockets!
