You are here: 51³Ô¹Ï Commencement For Students

Pipers perform at 51³Ô¹Ï Commencement

Back to top

For Students Preparing to Graduate

As you prepare to graduate, be sure to read over the following information and deadlines. This page will be updated as additional Commencement details become available.

Apply to graduate on and go to Graduation Overview. Connect with your advisor if you have any questions about your graduation application. Students, with the exception of WCL, must submit an application to graduate through Eagle Service by MarchÌý24. Applications for graduation will not be accepted after the deadline.

Washington College of Law Students, please visit this website for commencement details specific to the WCL ceremony.

Students made eligible to participate in Commencement will be able to order regalia.ÌýYour regalia order serves asÌýyour registration to participate in the ceremony and signsÌýyouÌýup forÌýyour tickets and parking pass. At Commencement, all graduates must be in regalia unless theyÌýareÌýactive military in uniform. Anything other than regalia will not be permitted. Please note the opening dates for the Oak Hall regalia site for each graduateÌýlevel:

Regalia Site Openings:
Doctoral Regalia: February 13
Master's Regalia: March 3
Bachelor's Regalia: March 3Ìý

Even ifÌýyour chosen name has not changed sinceÌýyouÌýfirst applied to 51³Ô¹Ï, please take a moment to checkÌýyour application to graduate on Eagle Service to verify thatÌýyour name is correct.ÌýUpdates must be made no later than March 24Ìý(updates made after March 24Ìýshould be emailed toÌýGraduation Services).

NameCoach creates a professional recording ofÌýyour diploma name. On March 5, eligible graduates will receive a unique link. SubmitÌýyour name pronunciation before April 1 at 11:59 p.m.

Undergraduates eligible for Latin Honors can pick up their gold honors cord during distribution on April 2 in the Mary Graydon Center. SeeÌý, section 5.5.

  • TicketsÌýareÌýrequired for guest admittance to the SpringÌýCommencement ceremonies.
  • For Spring 2025,Ìýsix tickets and one parking passÌýwill be distributed to students who have registered to participate in Commencement by ordering their cap and gown.
  • Graduates will not need a ticket for themselves.
  • In April, registered students will receive a unique link to their 51³Ô¹Ï email to access their electronic tickets.

Washington College of Law

Students Preparing to Graduate

As you prepare to graduate, be sure to read over theÌýinformation and deadlines specifiic toÌýthe Washington College of Law commencement ceremony.Ìý

National Anthem Singer Auditions

  • The Office of the President and the Department of Performing Arts seek graduating seniors or graduate students to sing the national anthem at each of the five 51³Ô¹Ï commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10.
  • Auditions will take place on Wednesday, March 5, between 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the Katzen Arts Center.
  • To sign up for an audition slot, please contact the Department of Performing Arts atÌýdpa@american.edu or come to Katzen Room 100, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. For emails, please use "Commencement Audition" in the subject line and let us know a range of preferred times. Please sign up by Monday, March 3.
  • Singers should prepare the National Anthem in a comfortable key from memory (usually B-flat or A-flat, with A or G also acceptable).

Student Speaker Applications

  • Each ceremony includes an address by a graduating graduate and undergraduate student speaker.
  • Selection of the student speakers is coordinated within each school's dean's office starting in early February. Speakers are announced in early April.
  • If you would like to be considered as a student speaker, contact your school’sÌýcommencement coordinator.

International Grads & Guests

Students participating in Commencement or their guests who are not in the U.S. at the time of graduation and do not have a U.S. passport may require documentation in order to secure a visa to attend commencement.

All documentation requests must be submitted by the graduate via a written request to theÌýRegistrar's OfficeÌýwith the following information:

  1. Name of the graduating student

  2. Major or course of study

  3. Date of ceremony

Submission Options

Mail:
Degree Clearance Team, Office of the Registrar
51³Ô¹Ï
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016

¹ó²¹³æ:Ìý202-885-1016

Email:Ìýgraduation_services@american.edu
(Email submissions must have a PDF attachment of the request which includes the student's signature)

This page will be updated as additional Commencement details become available.