Completing Your Degree

What is the difference between Graduation and Commencement?

“Graduation” and “Commencement” are terms of art at PSU. “Graduation” means actually finishing and completely fulfilling your degree requirements resulting in a diploma. In other words, “Graduation” is the technical obtainment of credits to receive a degree.

“Commencement” is the symbolic ceremony marking the closing of your academic career where you receive commendation for your hard work at PSU. It is an opportunity for you, your family, friends, and the PSU community to celebrate your accomplishment.

How do I register to graduate?

There are three basic steps to graduate. First, meet with an adviser. Students may use the Degree Audit Reporting System at any time to check their progress toward a degree and are encouraged to meet with their academic adviser to discuss the report and plot a course for clearing up any outstanding course work issues.

Second, submit a degree application. Any student seeking a degree from PSU must apply for the degree. Undergraduate degree application forms are due two terms prior to the anticipated graduation date. Graduate degree application forms are due one term prior to graduation. See Applying for a Degree for specific dates and further information.

Finally, attend to any outstanding grade issues. All course work should be completed and final grades recorded to ensure smooth processing of your degree application.

If you have questions regarding the Undergraduate Graduation Application process, please call 503.725.3438. If you have questions regarding the Graduate or Doctoral Graduation Application process, please call 503.725.8410.

When are the deadlines to register to graduate?

How do I change my graduation date?

If after you’ve applied to graduate you need to change your graduation date, you will need to contact the Office of Degree Requirements at 104 Neuberger Hall or email askdars@pdx.edu.

I went to a Commencement Ceremony but didn’t finish my degree requirements. Do I have my degree from PSU?

No. You don’t have a degree from Portland State University until you have satisfied all of your degree requirements – even if you participated in a Commencement Ceremony. The Commencement Ceremony is only a celebration.

Registering for Commencement

Once I’m registered to graduate, how do I register for a Commencement Ceremony?

Register for Commencement online at https://www.sa.pdx.edu/commencement/register/. There are terminals in the Neuberger Hall lobby and in the Office of the Dean of Students (Smith 433) where you can register.

Why can’t I register for Commencement? I already applied for graduation.

It takes a few days to process your graduation application and for the system to acknowledge that you are eligible to graduate. Allow at least 10 days. If you are still having trouble, contact degree requirements at 503.725.3438 or 800.547.8887, ext. 3438. 2010 Summer Commencement Registration does not open until June 14, 2010.

I registered for a Commencement Ceremony, but made a mistake. How can I change the registration?

Send an email to commencement@pdx.edu with your student ID number and what you wish to change and we’ll do it for you! We will reply to your request with the changes we’ve made so you can double check that it’s right.

I’m not sure whether I registered for Commencement. How can I find out?

Try to register again. If you’ve already registered, the system will not allow you to register a second time. If you have further questions, please email commencement@pdx.edu.

When is the deadline to register for Spring 2010 Commencement?

Registration for Spring 2010 Commencement ends on May 15, 2010.

When will registration be open for the 2010 Summer Commencement Ceremony?

Registration for the 2010 Summer Commencement Ceremony will open by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 14, 2010.

Ceremony Dates & Times

When are the Commencement Ceremonies for this year (2010)?

Portland State has 2 university-wide ceremonies held in Spring and Summer. The Spring 2010 Commencement Ceremony will occur on Sunday, June 13, 2010 at the Rose Garden Arena. The Summer 2010 Commencement Ceremony will occur on Saturday, August 14, 2010 in the Park Blocks outside of Smith Memorial Student Union.

When is Fall or Winter Commencement?

Due to the fact that the majority of PSU students graduate in the Spring or Summer, there is currently not a Fall or Winter Commencement Ceremony.

When are the Commencement Ceremonies for future dates?

Spring 2010 Commencement Ceremony
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Rose Garden Arena
2:00 p.m.

Summer 2010 Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Park Blocks outside of Smith Memorial Student Union
11:00 a.m.

Spring 2011 Commencement Ceremony
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Rose Garden Arena
2:00 p.m.

Summer 2011 Commencement Ceremony
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Park Blocks outside of Smith Memorial Student Union
11:00 a.m.

How long do the Commencement Ceremonies typically last?

The Spring Commencement Ceremony lasts between 2 and 2 ½ hours. The Summer Commencement Ceremony lasts about 1 ½ hours

Ceremony Participation

Which Commencement Ceremony can I participate in?

It depends. If you are graduating Fall 2009 term, Winter 2010 term, Spring 2010 term, or Summer 2010 term, you may participate in the Spring 2010 Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, June 13, 2010 at the Rose Garden Arena.

If you are graduating Summer 2010 term or Fall 2010 term, you may participate in the Summer 2010 Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, August 14, 2010 in the Park Blocks.

If you are graduating Fall 2010 term, Winter 2011 term, Spring 2011 term, or Summer 2011 term, you may participate in the Spring 2011 Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, June 12, 2011 at the Rose Garden Arena.

Please note that Doctoral Candidates must be certified by the Office of Graduate Studies before participating in a Commencement ceremony.

How can I participate in the Summer 2010 Commencement Ceremony if I am only eligible for the Spring 2010 Commencement Ceremony?

You may petition the Office of the Dean of Students to participate in a Commencement Ceremony for which you are ineligible so long as your request is reasonable. Please email commencement@pdx.edu for a petition request form.

I graduated several years ago and want to participate in a Commencement Ceremony.

You are welcome to come to the event as a guest. Due to the fact that we are near capacity for both the Spring and Summer venues, you can only participate in a Commencement Ceremony if you are eligible and register at https://www.sa.pdx.edu/commencement/register/.

I don’t want to participate in the Spring or Summer Commencement Ceremonies. Are there any alternatives?

There are no alternatives for undergraduates. Some graduate programs have hooding ceremonies that you could attend instead of the large main ceremonies. Contact your department to see if they have a hooding ceremony.  You can also visit http://www.pdx.edu/commencement/psu-graduation-events to see a list of Commencement-related celebrations.

I have two majors. Can I walk with both?

Unfortunately, you cannot walk with both departments. You will need to choose which major you want to walk with at the ceremony. You will walk across the stage when whichever major you choose is called.

Tickets & Guests

How many tickets can I request for the Commencement Ceremony? Can I get more tickets?

For the Spring Commencement Ceremony, students and guests may purchase tickets at the PSU Box Office. Students should ask their classmates for extra tickets if unable to purchase additional tickets from the PSU Box Office.  There will be a ticket redistribution table outside of the Rose Garden Arena with extra tickets the day of the ceremony.  We cannot, however, guarantee that tickets will still be available.

The Summer Commencement Ceremony is currently not ticketed.

When is the box office open?

The box office at PSU is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.

How much are tickets?

Every student will receive 5 tickets free of charge.  Additional tickets may be purchased from the PSU Box Office for $6.00 per ticket.  Tickets may be picked up and will go on sale in mid-May 2010.  The last day to pick up and/or purchase tickets is Friday, June 11, 2010. 

What should I do if I have (or if one of my guests has) special needs or special accommodation requests?

When you register for the Commencement Ceremony, please indicate that you are requesting disability services. Our office is committed to ensuring that every student’s and guest’s needs are met so they can enjoy the ceremony. Your entire party will be able to enter the arena early if you so request on your registration. If you wish to follow up about a disability service or request, please email our office at commencement@pdx.edu.

One of my guests is a baby or infant.  Do they need a ticket as well?

Yes, everyone entering the Rose Garden Arena will need a ticket.

Where should my out-of-town guests stay or eat while visiting Portland?

For information about lodging, restaurants, or things to do in Portland for your guests, please visit http://www.pdx.edu/family/visiting.

My family is traveling from out of the United States for the Commencement Ceremony. How can I obtain a letter to my Embassy regarding Commencement?

Please submit your request in writing to commencement@pdx.edu. Your letter will be ready for pick up within 48 hours at the Dean of Students Office front desk (Smith 433). You may need to check with your embassy to see what documentation your country requires for this type of travel. If you have questions, please call the Dean of Students Office at 503.725.4422.

In your request, please include:

• Your name
• Your student ID number
• The name and relationship of the family member(s) requesting documentation
• Any additional information requested by the embassy

Speakers

Who is the keynote speaker at this year’s graduation?

The 2010 Commencement Keynote speaker will be announced sometime Spring term 2010.

How do I nominate a commencement speaker?

A University committee sends formal invitations requesting speakers for the Commencement Ceremonies. If you have an idea of someone you would like to hear at your ceremony, please email us at commencement@pdx.edu.

Odds & Ends

What about honors for the ceremony?

PSU awards Latin honors for undergraduate students only. To qualify, students must have at least 72 credits at PSU, 60 of which must be taken for differentiated grades (not Pass/No Pass). Only PSU credits will be used in this calculation. The honors levels for the ceremony are calculated based on coursework completed through Winter 2009.

Honors are awarded as follows:

Summa cum laude 3.90 to 4.00

Magna cum laude 3.80 to 3.89

Cum laude 3.67 to 3.79

Students who are eligible for honors will receive their honor cord at a ceremony on Thursday, June 11, 2009, in the Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom. Qualifying students will be mailed an invitation to the event in late May.

If I qualify for Latin Honors, will there be an indication on my diploma or my final transcript?

Yes, Latin Honors will appear on both your diploma and your final transcript.

What is appropriate etiquette for the Spring Commencement ceremony?

This is your event to honor your accomplishments. Family, friends, colleagues, faculty, and staff will be present to applaud your hard work. All participants will be expected to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible manner. The use of cell phones and chewing gum is strongly discouraged. Alcohol is not permitted in the Exhibit Hall or the Rose Garden Arena. No one carrying alcoholic beverages will be allowed to enter. The Rose Garden Arena & Exhibit Hall are also non-smoking facilities. Helium balloons are not allowed in the Rose Garden Arena. If guests bring a helium balloon, they will be asked to leave it outside the exterior doors. You and your guests' understanding and cooperation are vital to the success of the day's activities.

What time do I need to be at the Rose Garden?

Students must arrive no later 12:30 p.m. at the Memorial Coliseum Exhibit Hall. Students should allow ample time for parking, transportation, or any last minute hiccups. Students will walk together to the Rose Garden as a class. Doors open at 1:00 p.m. for all guests. The ceremony will begin promptly at 2:00 p.m.

How should I get to the Rose Quarter?

Traffic around Rose Quarter on Commencement Day can be congested. We encourage everyone planning to attend or participate in Commencement to utilize public transportation via Tri-Met and to allow for plenty of additional travel time. Parking near the Rose Quarter on Saturday will range from $7.00 to $12.00 per car. For information about parking on the Rose Quarter campus, please visit the Rose Quarter's parking page. For parking information at Portland State University, including directions to campus, please visit the PSU Transportation & Parking homepage.

Where can I buy my cap, gown, announcements or other regalia for the Commencement Ceremony?

You can purchase your cap and gown, announcements or other regalia at the PSU Bookstore. The bookstore’s website is http://www.portlandstatebookstore.com/. You can also order keepsakes, such as class rings, online from Jostens at http://college.jostens.com/.

How much does a cap and gown cost?

Jostens, our vendor for caps and gowns, has several packages for you to purchase your regalia depending on your needs:

What are the tassel colors for my particular school?

Please note that some schools have multiple colors depending on your degree earned.

When and where can I get my diploma?

It usually takes 3 to 4 months for diplomas to be ready for pick up. You can pick up your diploma at the Office of Degree Requirements in 104 Neuberger Hall during normal business hours.

When and where can I get a diploma cover?

Diploma covers are given to each student as the student walks across the stage at the Commencement Ceremony.  For students who do not participate in the ceremony, diploma covers are available for purchase at the PSU Bookstore.

I was photographed at a Commencement Ceremony. Where can I get copies of that picture?

You can browse and purchase Commencement Ceremony photographs at www.GradPhoto.com.

Is there a DVD of the Ceremony?

Yes, DVDs will be available for purchase. A professional DVD taping of PSU's Spring Commencement ceremony is available to graduates, families, and friends. The DVD contains footage of the entire ceremony which includes the commencement addresses from university administration, honored guest and student speakers. Additionally each graduating student is taped as he/she passes across the platform to receive their degree. DVD copies are shipped approximately three weeks after the ceremony.  Order information will be available in the Commencement Program.

I heard a rumor about Commencement. Where can I find out about whether it is true?

If you have any questions or concerns about PSU’s Commencement Ceremonies, please visit our website at http://www.pdx.edu/commencement/ or contact us at commencement@pdx.edu.

I want to share my PSU graduation story with others. Where can I do this?

We want to hear your story! Please visit our website at http://www.pdx.edu/commencement/your-student-commencement-story to share your experience with us. Alternatively, you can email your story to commencement@pdx.edu.

If I have questions about any Commencement Ceremony, who should I ask?

You can call the Office of the Dean of Students at 503.725.4422 or email: commencement@pdx.edu

Quick Links

Apply for and Finish Your Degree

Register to Walk in the Ceremony

FAQs

PSU Graduation Events

Graduating with Latin Honors

Tickets for Commencement