Commencement > FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Law Commenceme​​nt Ceremony

The Law Commencement ceremony will take place on May 20, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at The Chicago Theatre. Please visit the Law Commencement page for more details.

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

Yes! Please contact us at commencement@depaul.edu. 

Each student may receive one (1) graduate admission ticket and up to eight (8) guest tickets for the ceremony. By RSVP'ing to the ceremony, graduates are reserving their tickets, which will be distributed electronically via their new or existing Ticketmaster account and The Chicago Theatre app. Information on ticket distribution will be sent closer to the event.

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. 

Yes! Please contact us at commencement@depaul.edu. 

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 of $13.95.

Campus Pick-up Option: Students may pick up their cap and gown at the Commencement Pickup event, which takes place May 17-18 from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. on the DePaul Center Concourse. There is no charge for this option.

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 ceremony and at the Commencement Pickup event on campus.



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 10-11, 2023. Please visit the June Ceremonies page for more details. 

Saturday, June 10, 2023

  • Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media and The Theatre School
    8:00 - 10:30 am, doors open at 7:00 am

  • College of Communication and the College of Education
    1:00 - 3:30 pm, doors open at 12:00 pm

  • College of Science and Health and the School of Music
    6:00 - 8:30 pm, doors open at 5:00 pm

Sunday, June 11, 2023

  • Driehaus College of Business (Undergraduate only)
    8:00 - 10:30 am, doors open at 7:00 am

  • Kellstadt Graduate School of Business
    1:00 - 3:30 pm, doors open at 12:00 pm

  • College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies
    6:00 - 8:30 pm, doors open at 5:00 pm

Graduates should arrive one hour before the start of the ceremony. That will allow graduates to pass through security, use the restroom, 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.

Graduates at the June commencement ceremonies at Wintrust Arena may receive up to six (6) 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.

The deadline to enter the guest ticket lottery has passed.

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 were 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.

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 of $13.95. 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. 

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 2022 and Summer Session II 2023 are considered part of the Class of 2023 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. 

Yes! Please contact us at commencement@depaul.edu. 

Yes! Please contact us at commencement@depaul.edu. 

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.

The deadline to apply to be this year's commencement student speaker for the June ceremonies has passed, and all of the commencement student speakers have been selected.



Tickets & Regalia

College of Law graduates will receive up to nine (9) tickets, which includes one ticket for the graduate and eight guest tickets. Law tickets will be distributed digitally.

June ceremony graduates will receive up to six (6) guest tickets. June graduates do not need a ticket to enter. Please note that guest tickets are not able to be mailed to students.

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

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.

The deadline to purchase regalia has passed. If you missed the deadline and would like to attend commencement, please contact us at commencement@depaul.edu. 

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 of $13.95. 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 2023 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.


Parents, Families & Guests

Commencement for the College of Law will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023. 

Ceremonies for all other schools and colleges will take place the weekend of June 10-11, 2023. 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.

The deadline to enter the guest ticket lottery has passed.

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 were notified of the lottery results; 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.

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 Wintrust Arena 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 2023 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.

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.

DePaul does not give out honor cords based on G.P.A. Graduates who are members of an honor society, affinity group, or student organization may receive an honor cord symbolizing achievements throughout their academic career. Please check with the group or organization to see if they provide honor cords.

Graduates who attend the Commencement Pickup event have the opportunity to purchase a Legacy Cord from the Alumni Relations booth.

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. 

Law commencement: Honors is not announced at commencement and will be determined after the May ceremony has taken place.

June commencement: For Autumn and Winter graduates, honors and distinction are based on the designation earned for the awarded degree. For Spring and Summer graduates, honors and distinction are based on the cumulative G.P.A. as of Winter Quarter. For programs that require more than G.P.A. to earn honors or distinction, those designations are not announced at commencemernt.

The deadline to apply to be this year's commencement student speaker for the June ceremonies has passed, and all of the commencement student speakers have been selected.

The deadline to apply to be this year's commencement student speaker for the June ceremonies has passed, and all applicants have been notified of the committee's decision.

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

Floral arrangements, commemorative Class of 2023 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.

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