Ceremony Eligibility

Students who wish to participate in the Commencement ceremonies must have met all degree requirements. Here you will find information about what needs to be done to make sure degree requirements are completed.

Completing the work required to earn an academic degree is a separate event from the public commencement ceremony that symbolically commemorates that achievement.

Towson University students who participate in commencement ceremonies are considered "candidates" for graduation, and must have met all degree requirements in a current or prior term in order to participate in the ceremony. While the university community enjoys celebrating graduates' accomplishments during Commencement, participating in the ceremony is not required.

Fulfilling Degree Requirements

You may monitor the progress of your degree by regularly checking your “Academic Requirements” report located in the Student Dashboard in PeopleSoft. It is also strongly recommended that you meet with your assigned major adviser or an adviser in the Advising Center to ensure degree requirements are being fulfilled.

Academic Reminders

Below are some helpful tips and resources to use when applying for graduation:

  • Students should monitor all course requirements to ensure that everything is in order and that they will be cleared for graduation. Refer major questions to your academic adviser.
  • The Graduation Office’s FAQ contains important information on applying for graduation, the graduation review process, and degree and diploma information.
  • Check the Graduation Office’s Applying to Graduate for application deadlines and instructions on how to apply.

Participation in Commencement

The university’s practice is for degree candidates to participate in the ceremony immediately following the completion of all degree requirements. Students who have applied for and been approved for graduation by the Graduation Office will receive an email invitation to participate in Commencement. 

  • Space permitting, students who have six or fewer credits remaining and have applied to graduate in August may make a special request to participate in a spring ceremony by submitting a Commencement Participation Request Form to the Office of the Provost. Submission of a request does not guarantee approval of the request to participate.
  • Students who have seven or more credits remaining in order to complete their degree requirements are not eligible to participate in the next immediate Commencement due to space limitations.