April 28, 2026

The following information is for Drexel graduate students enrolled in quarter programs who intend to complete their degree requirements and graduate this spring or summer term. If this information does not apply to you, please disregard this message

We encourage all students to maintain regular communication with their assigned faculty and/or professional staff academic advisor(s) who can address any concerns related to academic progress, including any unforeseen challenges encountered (personal, family, health or other). Students planning to complete their degree requirements and graduate this spring or summer term MUST adhere to the deadlines and procedures outlined below. Unfortunately, there are no exceptions.

In addition, please note that individual programs may have additional requirements and/or deadlines which may be earlier. We encourage you to discuss your graduation plans with your academic advisor(s) as soon as possible.

Spring Quarter 2026

Students planning to complete their degree requirements and graduate at the end of the spring term MUST submit an Application for Degree in their DrexelOne portal by Friday, May 1 in order to:

1. Receive information about Commencement 2026, RSVP, request tickets, and order regalia;
2. Be listed in the official Commencement program;
3. Be cleared for graduation (official transcript will note degree awarded June 13, 2026);
4. And, receive a diploma in the mail to the address entered on the degree application.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for my degree?

Please review the step-by-step instructions on the University Registrar's website (listed under the Deadlines). The first question on the application asks you to confirm your most recent or last term of enrollment/registration and NOT the graduation term. For most, this will be the current spring term, if registered. Otherwise, please enter the last term of enrollment/registration in the program.

How do I RSVP for Commencement?

After you submit an Application for Degree in DrexelOne, the RSVP for Commencement will appear in your DrexelOne portal within one week’s time. Follow the steps to RSVP. If you need to adjust your RSVP after submitting, please email commencement@drexel.edu. The deadline to RSVP for Commencement is Friday, May 8. Please note that the deadline to RSVP for Commencement is AFTER the deadline to apply for degree which is Friday, May 1 and which MUST occur first in the process. The deadline to order regalia online is Friday, May 29. Visit the Graduation Checklist on the Commencement website for step-by-step instructions.

What if I don’t plan to participate in Commencement?

Even if you do not plan to participate in a Commencement ceremony, you MUST apply for your degree by the posted deadlines to be cleared for graduation, have the degree added to your official transcript, request official transcripts or degree verification, and receive a diploma in the mail.

What if I do not complete my degree requirements this spring?

If you submit an Application for Degree for spring term by Friday, May 1 and, for any reason, you do not complete your degree requirements as planned, your degree application will be inactivated by the Office of the University Registrar and you must submit a new Application for Degree in your DrexelOne for the term you will complete your degree requirements. If there is a chance you will complete your degree requirements this spring, please submit an Application for Degree for spring term by Friday, May 1. If you plan to complete your degree requirements in the subsequent summer term and wish to participate in the June Commencement ceremonies, see the “Walkthrough” option below.

What if I do not meet the Friday, May 1 deadline?

If you do not submit an Application for Degree by Friday, May 1, your name will not be listed in the official Commencement program. Unfortunately, there are no exceptions.

For doctoral degree recipients and some master’s programs with thesis or dissertation requirements:

In addition to the deadlines and requirements listed above, it is highly recommended that students schedule their final oral defense by early May to allow sufficient time to complete any revisions and submit their final thesis or dissertation by the spring quarter completion deadline of Wednesday, June 24. Please refer to the Office of Graduate Studies website for the required eForms processes. We also recommend students consult their program and advisor(s) for instructions.

“Walkthrough” Option

A student who wishes to participate in the June Commencement ceremonies, but who will not have completed their degree requirements until the end of the subsequent summer term, must meet the eligibility criteria to be considered a “walkthrough.” Please review the walkthrough information carefully.

Students planning to graduate at the end of the summer term who wish to participate in the June Commencement ceremonies, be listed in the official Commencement program (please note that walkthroughs will be listed separately in the back of the program) and have their name read aloud at their individual college or school ceremony MUST complete the following steps by Friday, May 1:

1. Submit an Application for Degree for summer term in their DrexelOne portal;
2. Contact their assigned academic advisor(s) to complete an electronic “Application to Participate in Commencement Activities";
3. And, meet all eligibility criteria to be considered a walkthrough.

Please note that students who submit an Application for Degree for summer term by Friday, May 1 and who are approved to walkthrough at the June Commencement ceremonies cannot be switched back to a “true” spring term graduate, such as if they finish earlier than expected. Further, walkthroughs will not be invited to participate in Commencement 2027 since they opted to participate in Commencement 2026 as a walkthrough. Students may only participate in Commencement once per degree earned. Walkthroughs will be listed as walkthroughs in the 2026 program and as graduates in the 2027 program.

What if I do not meet the Friday, May 1 deadline to walkthrough?

Students graduating in the summer term may still apply to walkthrough and participate in the June Commencement ceremonies after Friday, May 1, if eligible, but they will NOT be listed in the official Commencement program as a walkthrough. Instead, they will be listed in the subsequent year’s Commencement program. Students may only participate in Commencement once per degree earned so they would not be invited to participate again in the subsequent year’s ceremonies even though they are listed in the program.

Summer Quarter 2026

Students planning to complete their degree requirements and graduate at the end of the summer term and who are NOT planning to participate in the June Commencement ceremonies must submit an Application for Degree in their DrexelOne portal by Monday, July 20 in order to:

1. Be cleared for graduation (official transcript will note degree awarded September 5, 2026);
2. Receive a diploma in the mail to the address to the address you entered in your application for degree;
3. And, receive information about Commencement 2027.

Please review the step-by-step instructions on how to apply for your degree on the University Registrar's website (under Deadlines).

Please note that Commencement occurs once per year in June. If a summer term graduate wishes to participate in the June Commencement ceremonies prior to official completion, they must follow the steps outlined above under “Walkthrough” Option. Otherwise, they will be invited to participate in Commencement in June 2027.

For doctoral degree recipients and some master’s programs with thesis or dissertation requirements: In addition to the deadlines and requirements listed above, it is highly recommended that students schedule their final oral defense to allow sufficient time to complete revisions and submit their final thesis or dissertation by the summer quarter completion deadline of Wednesday, September 23. Please refer to the Office of Graduate Studies website for the required eForms processes. We also recommend students consult their program and advisor(s) for instructions.

Diplomas & Transcripts

Visit the University Registrar’s website for more information about receiving your diploma and requesting official academic transcripts. Diplomas will be mailed eight to ten weeks following the official university degree conferral date (i.e. the date appearing on your diploma) and once the degree has been academically cleared through the respective College/School and the University Registrar. If you need to update your diploma mailing address, please follow the instructions on the bottom of the degree application page by the posted deadlines. Otherwise, your diploma will be mailed to the original address entered at the time of degree application.

Commencement

Please note that Commencement occurs once per year in June. Information about Commencement, including the university-wide and individual college and school ceremonies, how to RSVP, where to report, tickets, regalia, and related activities is or will become available on the Commencement website. Please apply for your degree or file a walkthrough form with your assigned academic advisor(s) in by Friday, May 1 if you plan to participate in the June 2026 ceremonies (no exceptions) and continue to check your Drexel email for updates.

Doctoral Hooding

Please note that all doctoral hooding is done at the individual college and school Commencement ceremonies.