Commencement > FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Law Commencement​ Ceremony

The Law Commencement ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at The Chicago Theatre. Please visit the Law Commencement page for more details.

Graduates should arrive one hour before the start of the ceremony. That will allow graduates to pass through security and find their seats before the ceremony begins.

Yes, the ceremony will be webcast here, and the link to access the live feed will be available on the website the day of the ceremony. 

The number of guest tickets will be determined by the number of graduates attending commencement. For the 2025 ceremony, graduates will receive up to nine (9) total tickets, which includes eight (8) guest tickets, plus a ticket for themselves. 

Graduates can reserve their tickets by RSVP'ing. Tickets are distributed digitally via Ticketmaster and the MSG app 1-2 weeks before the ceremony. Information on ticket distribution will be sent closer to the event.

Tickets are distributed digitally via Ticketmaster and the MSG app 1-2 weeks before the ceremony. Information on ticket distribution will be sent closer to the event.

Graduates can enter the Guest Ticket lottery to receive unclaimed tickets. The Guest Ticket lottery will open in Winter Quarter.

The availability of extra tickets is not guaranteed and depends on the number of graduates and amount of returned or unclaimed tickets; please plan accordingly. Students will be notified of the lottery results in early May. If selected, all of your tickets will be available at the Commencement Pickup event for your college.

Applying for graduation, known as degree conferral, is the official request to the university to review your academic progress and confirm that you have met all the requirements to earn your degree. All students MUST apply for degree conferral. 
 
RSVP’ing for the commencement ceremony lets the university know you plan to participate in the graduation exercises. Participation is optional, but you must RSVP to attend. Participating in the ceremony does not mean you have earned your degree.  
 
Participating in the commencement ceremony is optional and does not equate to degree completion. It is a student's responsibility to review their Degree Progress Report to ensure they are on track to complete the requirements and verify their completion term. Students may apply for degree conferral in Campus Connect; please be aware that submitting an online application does not guarantee a degree will be granted from DePaul University. Additionally, regardless of participation at commencement, students will not receive a diploma until all outstanding financial obligations have been fulfilled. Students should contact their Academic Advisors and DePaul Central with questions. 

The deadline to RSVP and order your cap and gown for the College of Law ceremony will be announced in Winter Quarter 2025. 

Graduates have two options when purchasing regalia. Both options will be listed on the ordering website.

Ship-to-Home Option: Students may have their cap and gown sent to them at home for a shipping fee.

Campus Pick-up Option: Students may pick up their cap and gown at the Loop Campus Barnes and Noble Bookstore, Monday, May 19 - Thursday, May 22, 9 am - 6pm. There is no charge for this option.

Students will also be required to stop at Commencement Pickup event, which takes place May 21, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. in the DePaul Center 11th floor Gallery and Terrace. Students will pick up their reader card, check in with the Career Center and Alumni Relations, and ask any questions they may have about the ceremony. 

Yes, students will be able to pick up their reader card, speak to a college representative, Alumni Relations, and more! This is a great opportunity for students to ask questions and ensure they have everything they need for the ceremony. 

If you are unable to attend Commencement Pickup, you may send someone on your behalf to pick up your reader card and regalia (if the ship-to-campus option was selected at checkout). Your proxy will need an email or letter from you giving permission, along with the following: your DePaul ID number, your email or phone number, your college and major information.

You may purchase graduation announcements from Herff Jones. Diploma frames, alumni gear, graduation stoles and other graduation gifts will be available from the DePaul University Bookstore at the Commencement Pickup event on campus.

Please visit the Mementos page for where to purchase flowers, Class of 2025 apparel, photography packages, and StageClip.



June Commencement Ceremonies

The June Commencement ceremonies will be held at the Wintrust Arena. 

DePaul University will host its annual commencement ceremonies at Wintrust Arena on June 14-15, 2025. Please visit the June Ceremonies page for more details.

Graduates should arrive one hour before the start of the ceremony. That will allow graduates to pass through security and find their seats before the ceremony begins.

All doctoral students will be hooded on stage. Please review this video to familiarize yourself with how you will be hooded on stage.

Masters students are not hooded on stage. Please arrive to the ceremony wearing your hood.

Yes, all ceremonies will be livestreamed here. The streams will go live at the start of each ceremony.

Each student attending the June ceremonies will receive five (5) guest tickets. 

Graduates do not need a ticket to enter the arena; the reader card, which students receive at the Commencement Pickup event, will serve as the entry ticket for graduates. All tickets can be picked up at Commencement Pickup. Any graduate who doesn't need the full allottment of tickets may return them at Commencement Pickup.

Graduates can enter the Guest Ticket lottery, which will open in Winter Quarter 2025, to receive unclaimed tickets. 

The availability of extra tickets is not guaranteed and depends on the number of graduates and amount of returned or unclaimed tickets; please plan accordingly. Students will be notified of the lottery results in early May. If selected, all of your tickets will be available at the Commencement Pickup event for your college.

Per Wintrust Arena's policy, children that are under 32 inches in height do not need a ticket to enter the arena. The adult will be allowed to have one child sit on his/her lap.

The deadline to RSVP and order your cap and gown for the June commencement ceremonies will be announced in Fall Quarter.

Graduates have two options when purchasing regalia. Both options are listed on the ordering web site.

Ship-to-Home Option: Students may have their cap and gown sent to them at home for a shipping fee. Please note that guest tickets and reader card are not able to be mailed to students.

Campus Pick-up Option: Students may pick up their cap and gown at the Commencement Pickup event. Graduates must attend the dates and location for their college. There is no charge for this option. 

DePaul does not give out cords to students who are graduating with honors. Please inquire with your college or honor society if they offer materials for graduation. Additional stoles and cords are available for purchase through Herff Jones.

If you are unable to attend Commencement Pickup, you may send someone on your behalf to pick up your reader card, guest tickets, and regalia (if the ship-to-campus option was selected at checkout). Your proxy will need an email or letter from you giving permission, along with the following: your DePaul ID number, your email or phone number, your college and major information.

Check your Degree Progress Report (DPR) and your student account in Campus Connect to ensure that you are meeting requirements and are eligible to receive your degree. If you have questions about your academic requirements contact your college office or your advisor. Contact DePaul Central at (312) 362-8610 or dpcl@depaul.edu for questions regarding your student account. 

Students who complete their degree requirements between Autumn Quarter 2024 and Summer Session 2025 are considered part of the Class of 2025 and may be eligible to participate on their respective ceremony. Students should contact their college advisor to confirm their eligibility. Links to the appropriate emails can be found on the Academic Requirements page here.

Undergraduates students earning double majors between two colleges are invited to attend the college graduation ceremony for their primary major. Please be sure to also purchase regalia for the college where your primary major resides.

Applying for graduation, known as degree conferral, is the official request to the university to review your academic progress and confirm that you have met all the requirements to earn your degree. All students MUST apply for degree conferral. 

RSVP’ing for the commencement ceremony lets the university know you plan to participate in the graduation exercises. Participation is optional, but you must RSVP to attend. Participating in the ceremony does not mean you have earned your degree. 

Participating in the commencement ceremony is optional and does not equate to degree completion. It is a student's responsibility to review their Degree Progress Report to ensure they are on track to complete the requirements and verify their completion term. Students may apply for degree conferral in Campus Connect; please be aware that submitting an online application does not guarantee a degree will be granted from DePaul University. Additionally, regardless of participation at commencement, students will not receive a diploma until all outstanding financial obligations have been fulfilled. Students should contact their Academic Advisors and DePaul Central with questions. 

You may purchase graduation announcements from Herff Jones. Diploma frames, alumni gear, graduation stoles and other graduation gifts will be available from the DePaul University Bookstore at the commencement ceremony and at the Commencement Pickup event on campus.

Please visit the Mementos page for where to purchase flowers, Class of 2025 apparel, photography packages, and StageClip.

The application to be this year's commencement student speaker for the June ceremonies will be available Winter Quarter 2025. Please visit this page for more information.

Colors used in academic dress have significance to the degree earned, but not the academic major. The colors that DePaul uses for tassels and/or hood trim can be found here. 



Tickets & Regalia

Guest ticket numbers will be determined by the number of expected graduates at commencement.

Law graduates may request up to nine (9) total tickets, which includes eight (8) guest tickets, plus a ticket for themselves.

Students attending the June ceremonies will receive five (5) guest tickets. Graduates do not need a ticket to enter.

All graduates must have conferred or apply for degree conferral and RSVP to the ceremony in order to receive tickets.

College of Law ceremony: Per The Chicago Theatre's policy, children under 2 years old may attend without their own ticket, but they must sit on a parent or guardian’s lap and may not occupy their own seat.

June ceremonies: Per Wintrust Arena's policy, children that are under 32 inches in height do not need a ticket to enter the arena. The adult will be allowed to have one child sit on his/her lap.

College of Law graduates will receive tickets digitally via their Ticketmaster account and The Chicago Theatre app.

June graduates should plan to pick up their guest tickets, reader card (for crossing the stage), and regalia (if choosing the ship-to-campus option) at the Commencement Pickup event. Visit the Commencement Pickup page for information on the days, times, and location by college. Please note that guest tickets and reader card are not able to be mailed to students.

Regalia must be purchased through Herff Jones.

The deadline to RSVP and order regalia for the College of Law and the June ceremonies can be found here.

Graduates have two options when purchasing regalia. Both options are listed on the ordering website.

Ship-to-Home Option: Students may have their cap and gown sent to them at home for a shipping fee. Please note that guest tickets and reader card are not able to be mailed to students.

Campus Pick-up Option: Students may pick up their cap and gown at the Commencement Pickup event. There is no charge for this option. Visit the Commencement Pickup page for days, times, and locations by college.

Yes! All graduates must arrive dressed in their cap and gown. There will not be space for graduates to dress on-site.

Students may decorate their cap but not their gown or hood. All purchased regalia items are yours to keep.

All doctoral students will be hooded on stage. Please review this video to familiarize yourself with how you will be hooded on stage.

Masters students are not hooded on stage. Please arrive to the ceremony wearing your hood.

You may purchase graduation announcements from Herff Jones. The site to order announcements and other merchandise is now available.

Floral arrangements, commemorative Class of 2025 t-shirt or sweatshirt, and other items for your graduates are also available to order. Preorders can be placed until 9:00 p.m. the evening before the graduate's commencement ceremony. All online orders will be available for pickup on site the day of the graduation.

Diploma frames, alumni gear, graduation stoles and other graduation gifts will be available from the DePaul University Bookstore at the commencement ceremony and at the Commencement Pickup event on campus.

Please visit the Mementos page for more information about graduation merchandise. 


Parents, Families & Guests

Commencement for the College of Law will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025.

Ceremonies for all other schools and colleges will take place the weekend of June 14-15, 2025. More specific information about the dates and times of ceremonies can be found on the June Ceremonies page of the Commencement website.

Yes! All ceremonies will be livestreamed for all guests unable to attend in person. The links will go live at the start of each ceremony.

Yes! Information about availability and rates for the nearby parking lots can be found here. Please be aware that parking lots fill up quickly. Guests are also encouraged to find parking via Spot Hero and limited street parking.

Please also consider taking public transportation to the arena.

Information about the guest ticket lottery can be found on the Tickets page of the Commencement website. Please note that guests cannot request additional tickets; requests for additional tickets must come from the graduate directly.

The availability of extra tickets is not guaranteed and depends on the number of graduates and amount of returned or unclaimed tickets; please plan accordingly. College of Law graduates will be notified of the lottery results in April; June graduates will be notified of the lottery results in early May.

More information about this process can be found on the Tickets page of the Commencement website.

College of Law ceremony: Per The Chicago Theatre's policy, children under 2 years old may attend without their own ticket, but they must sit on a parent or guardian’s lap and may not occupy their own seat.

June ceremonies: Per Wintrust Arena's policy, children that are under 32 inches in height do not need a ticket to enter the arena. The adult will be allowed to have one child sit on his/her lap.

Doors to each venue open one hour before the start of the ceremony. Guests are encouraged to arrive when doors open to allow for enough time to pass through security and find their seats.

Yes! Please familiarize yourself with Wintrust's purse and bag policy. Guests who arrive with bags not in accordance with the arena's bag policy will not be permitted to enter.

You may purchase graduation announcements from Herff Jones. The site to order announcements and other merchandise is now available.

Floral arrangements, commemorative Class of 2025 t-shirt or sweatshirt, and other items for your graduates are also available to order. Preorders can be placed until 9:00 p.m. the evening before the graduate's commencement ceremony. All online orders will be available for pickup on site the day of the graduation.

Diploma frames, alumni gear, graduation stoles and other graduation gifts will be available from the DePaul University Bookstore at the commencement ceremony and at the Commencement Pickup event on campus.

Please visit the Mementos page for more information about graduation merchandise. 

Yes! Please visit the Parents & Families page for more information, additional events, and ways to stay connected and informed.

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Other

Graduates' first and last names as they appear in Campus Connect are announced at the commencement ceremony. Middle names are not included in the name announcement. Students must present their reader card in order for their name to be called at the ceremony.

Graduates' full legal names as they appear in Campus Connect are listed in the ceremony program and on the diploma. The actual diplomas are not presented at the commencement ceremony; diplomas are mailed to graduates' diploma address in Campus Connect following the successful conferral of the degree.

DePaul University uses students' legal names listed in Campus Connect for the reader card, name announcement, and ceremony program. If you need to make a change to your legal name, you can learn more about that process here. 

Please note that name changes through the university can take some time to process. In order for your correct name to be used for the ceremony, you will need to have your name changed in the system before the commencement RSVP deadline.

No, only graduates who attend commencement in person will have their name announced at the ceremony. Graduates' names are read from a Reader Card, which graduates must present at the stage.

No, upon the successful completion and conferral of your degree, diplomas will be mailed and should be received within 10 weeks. Please make sure that the 'diploma address' that you have listed in Campus Connect is correct. 

After your degree is conferred, you will receive an email from dpcl@depaul.edu congratulating you on earning your degree. You will be asked to confirm the diploma address listed in Campus Connect is updated and that there are no holds or To-Do’s on your account that will prevent your diploma from being sent. The diploma is shipped to that address within 10 weeks after the last day of the term in which you graduated. 

The application to be this year's commencement student speaker for the June ceremonies will be available in Winter Quarter 2025. Please visit the Student Speaker page for more information.

You may purchase graduation announcements from Herff Jones. The site to order announcements and other merchandise is now available.

Floral arrangements, commemorative Class of 2025 t-shirt or sweatshirt, and other items for your graduates are also available to order. Preorders can be placed until 9:00 p.m. the evening before the graduate's commencement ceremony. All online orders will be available for pickup on site the day of the graduation.

Diploma frames, alumni gear, graduation stoles and other graduation gifts will be available from the DePaul University Bookstore at the commencement ceremony and at the Commencement Pickup event on campus.

Please visit the Mementos page for more information about graduation merchandise. 

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