Commencement & Graduation

Celebrate Your Achievement

Commencement is one of the most meaningful milestones in the life of a Mongoose University student — and we can’t wait to celebrate it with you. Whether you’re completing a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree, this page has everything you need.

Commencement Ceremonies

Spring Commencement 2027

Date: Saturday, May 16, 2027

Location: Mongoose Stadium (rain plan: Mongoose Arena with overflow viewing in Morrison Library Auditorium)

Schedule:

8:00am — Gates open
9:00am — Graduate and Doctoral Ceremony (Mongoose Arena)
10:00am — Undergraduate Ceremony (Mongoose Stadium)
12:30pm — College receptions (various campus locations)

Ceremony length: approximately 2 hours. The undergraduate ceremony includes the processional, National Anthem, student speaker, keynote speaker, conferral of degrees by college, and recessional. Honorary degree presentation. The ceremony is held regardless of weather — dress appropriately.

December Commencement 2026

Date: Saturday, December 20, 2026

Location: Mongoose Arena

Schedule:

10:00am — Combined ceremony for all undergraduate and graduate December completers
12:00pm — Reception in Student Center Ballroom

December graduates may also choose to walk in the May ceremony (must notify Registrar by March 15). Approximately 350 students participate in December commencement. Ceremony is smaller and more intimate than May — each graduate’s name is read as they cross the stage.

Livestream & Recording

All commencement ceremonies are livestreamed at commencement.mongooseuniversity.edu/live for family and friends who cannot attend in person.

Professional recording: Available for purchase within 2 weeks

Full ceremony ($25)
Individual graduate clip ($15)

Order at commencement.mongooseuniversity.edu/video

Professional photos: GradImages will photograph each graduate crossing the stage. Proofs emailed within 48 hours; packages starting at $30.

Social media: Share your celebration with #MongooseGrad and tag @MongooseUniversity.

Applying for Graduation

You must formally apply for graduation — degrees are not automatically conferred.

Application deadlines: October 15 for May graduation, March 15 for December graduation, June 15 for August graduation (summer completers). Apply through MyMongoose under Academics > Apply for Graduation.

Application fee: $75 (covers diploma, commencement materials)

Degree audit: Run your degree audit in MyMongoose (Academics > Degree Audit) before applying. The audit shows completed and remaining requirements. If you have outstanding requirements, you can still apply — the Registrar will note them and you’ll receive guidance on completion.

Requirements for graduation:

Undergraduate — minimum 120 credits (varies by program), cumulative GPA of 2.0 (some programs higher), completion of Mongoose Core Curriculum (42 credits), major and minor requirements, residency requirement (minimum 30 credits at MU, with at least 15 of your final 30).

Graduate — completion of all program requirements, minimum 3.0 GPA, thesis/dissertation approved (if applicable).

If you apply and later determine you will not complete requirements on time, notify the Registrar to move your graduation date — there is no fee to reschedule.

Diplomas: Mailed 6-8 weeks after degree conferral to the address on file. Verify your diploma mailing address in MyMongoose. Diploma replacement: $50.

Latin honors (undergraduate): Cum Laude (3.5-3.69), Magna Cum Laude (3.7-3.89), Summa Cum Laude (3.9-4.0). Honors are calculated on the complete academic record at time of degree conferral and printed on the diploma.

Graduation application & diploma information

Cap, Gown & Regalia

Ordering Your Regalia

All graduates must wear official Mongoose University regalia. Order through the MU Bookstore at bookstore.mongooseuniversity.edu/commencement or in-store (Student Center, 1st Floor).

Order deadline: April 1 for May ceremony, November 15 for December ceremony. Late orders subject to $25 surcharge and may not arrive in time.

Pricing:

Bachelor’s regalia package (cap, gown, tassel): $65
Master’s regalia package (cap, gown, hood, tassel): $85
Doctoral regalia rental (tam, gown, hood): $125

Cap and gown are yours to keep. Doctoral regalia is rental only (return within 1 week). Regalia pickup: MU Bookstore, beginning 2 weeks before ceremony.

Regalia Details & Traditions

Cap (mortarboard): Worn flat on the head. Decorate your cap! MU encourages graduates to personalize their mortarboards. Just keep it tasteful and remember caps must still be wearable. Supplies available at a Bookstore “cap decorating station” the week before commencement.

Tassel: Worn on the right side, moved to the left during the ceremony when degrees are conferred (this is “the turning of the tassel”). Tassel colors: gold for bachelor’s, black for master’s, gold for doctoral.

Honor cords: Cum Laude (silver), Magna Cum Laude (gold), Summa Cum Laude (gold and silver). Additional cords/stoles: Phi Beta Kappa (pink and blue), honor societies (various), veteran stole (red, white, and blue), multicultural stoles (available through Cultural Centers).

Hood (master’s and doctoral): Colors reflect your degree field. The hood is placed by a faculty member during the graduate ceremony.

Accessibility & Accommodations

The commencement venue is fully accessible. Wheelchair seating is available in the graduate seating area and in a reserved family section near the stage. ASL interpretation provided at all ceremonies (seated near the front). Assistive listening devices available at the check-in table. Large-print programs available upon request.

If you need any accommodation to participate in commencement, contact the Office of Disability Services by April 1 (disability@mongooseuniversity.edu, (555) 478-3260).

Graduates who use mobility devices will process with their college and cross the stage with assistance as needed. Service animals welcome. Sensory-friendly quiet area available near the venue for families who need a break.

Guest Information

Tickets: Each graduate receives 6 guest tickets for the May undergraduate ceremony (Mongoose Stadium capacity: 8,500). Guest tickets are not required for the December ceremony (Mongoose Arena seats 3,200, typically no ticket restrictions for ~350 graduates). Additional tickets: request through MyMongoose by April 15; additional tickets distributed based on availability after April 20. Overflow viewing room with live feed available in Morrison Library Auditorium (no ticket required).

Seating: Gates open 2 hours before the ceremony. Seating is open/general admission (not assigned). Arrive early for best seats. Reserved sections for accessibility, VIPs, and faculty.

Guest parking: Lots A, B, and C are open (free, no permit needed on commencement day). Accessible parking in Lot A. Follow signs and volunteer traffic directors.

Prohibited items: Outside food/drink (water bottles OK), balloons, noisemakers, large bags, weapons. Strollers permitted in designated areas.

Guest amenities: Concession stands open (water, snacks), restrooms at stadium and nearby Student Center. First aid station staffed.

Guest etiquette: Please remain seated during the reading of names. Hold applause/cheers until after each college’s group has been recognized, so every family can hear their graduate’s name. Celebrations: after the ceremony, graduates will meet families at their college’s designated reception area (signs posted). Light refreshments provided.

Guest information and event details

After Graduation

Your Diploma & Transcripts

Diplomas are mailed 6-8 weeks after degree conferral to the address in MyMongoose (verify before graduation!).

Diploma format: 8.5″ x 11″, printed on archival-quality parchment paper with university seal and signatures. Includes degree, major, minor, Latin honors (if applicable).

Diploma frames: Available at the MU Bookstore ($50-$120, various styles including double-matted with school colors).

Transcripts: Order official transcripts at registrar.mongooseuniversity.edu/transcripts ($10 each, electronic via National Student Clearinghouse recommended for fastest delivery).

Your MyMongoose portal access continues for 2 years after graduation; after that, use the alumni portal.

Alumni Transition

Welcome to the Mongoose Alumni family! Your alumni benefits activate automatically upon degree conferral. You’ll receive:

alumni.mongooseuniversity.edu account access with searchable alumni directory
Lifetime alumni email forwarding (firstname.lastname@alumni.mongooseuniversity.edu)
Free career services (resume reviews, counseling, MongooseHire job board)
Recreation Center access at alumni rates
Library borrowing privileges
15% Bookstore discount
25% tuition discount if you return for graduate study

Join the Mongoose Alumni Association (free) and update your profile to stay connected. Young Alumni Council: graduates from the last 10 years are invited to quarterly networking events. First event post-graduation: Young Alumni Welcome Reception (June, held in Buffalo, NYC, and Boston).

Senior Week & Celebrations

Senior Week (May 11-16, 2027): A week of events exclusively for graduating seniors.

Events include:

Senior BBQ on the Quad (Monday)
Senior Boat Cruise on Lake Erie (Tuesday, $25)
Class Gift Ceremony (Wednesday — contribute to the Class of 2027 gift at give.mongooseuniversity.edu/classgift)
Senior Awards Night (Thursday — department honors and university awards)
Midnight Breakfast (Friday — a beloved MU tradition)
Commencement (Saturday)

Senior portraits: Schedule your professional portrait session through the MU Bookstore (sittings in February-March, $40 includes 2 digital images).

Cap and gown photos available at the campus photo booth the week of commencement. Class of 2027 merchandise: limited-edition apparel and memorabilia at the Bookstore and online.

Contact & Key Dates

Office Contacts

Office of the Registrar (graduation applications, degree audit, diplomas)
registrar@mongooseuniversity.edu
(555) 478-3215
Administration Building Room 210

MU Bookstore (regalia, frames, merchandise)
bookstore@mongooseuniversity.edu
(555) 478-3350

Disability Services (accessibility accommodations)
disability@mongooseuniversity.edu
(555) 478-3260

Key Dates

October 15: May graduation application deadline

November 15: December regalia order deadline

December 20: December Commencement

March 15: December grads notify intent to walk in May

April 1: May regalia order deadline & accommodation request deadline

April 15: Additional guest ticket request deadline

May 11-16: Senior Week

May 16: Spring Commencement

More Information

For complete details about commencement ceremonies, regalia, accommodations, and alumni services, visit:

commencement.mongooseuniversity.edu

Questions? Contact the Office of the Registrar or visit our FAQ section.