April 10, 2024

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 academic advisor(s) who can address any concerns related to academic progress, including any unforeseen challenges encountered (family, health, personal, 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. No exceptions.

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

Spring Quarter 2024

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 3 to:

1. Receive information about Commencement, RSVP, request tickets, and order regalia;
2. Be listed in the official 2024 Commencement program;
3. Be cleared for graduation (official transcript will note degree awarded June 15, 2024);
4. And receive a diploma in the mail to the address entered on the degree application.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply?
Please review the step-by-step instructions on the University Registrar's website. The first question asks you to confirm your most recent or last term of enrollment, not the graduation term. For most, this will be the current spring term, if enrolled. Otherwise, please enter the last term of enrollment in the program.

How do I RSVP for Commencement?
After you submit an application for degree, the RSVP for Commencement will appear in your DrexelOne portal within a week’s time. Follow the steps to RSVP. If you need to adjust your RSVP after submitting, please write to commencement@drexel.edu. The deadline to RSVP for Commencement is Friday, May 10. Please note that the deadline to RSVP for Commencement is AFTER the deadline to apply for degree which is Friday, May 3 and which must occur first in the process.

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 3 and, for any reason, you do not complete your degree requirements as planned, you will not be cleared for graduation and your application for degree will be adjusted to a later term. 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 3. 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 3 deadline?
If you do not submit an application for degree by Friday, May 3, your name will not be listed in the official 2024 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 26. Please refer to the Graduate College website for the required E-Forms (or D-Forms) processes. We also recommend students consult their program, department, college or school for instructions.

Further, please note that the deadline to include doctoral thesis and dissertation titles in the official 2024 Commencement program is Friday, May 10. The Graduate College will be in touch with candidates who have applied for their degree to obtain this information before Friday, May 10.

“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 2024 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 3:

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 3 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 Commencement 2025 or listed in the official 2025 Commencement program since they opted to participate in Commencement 2024 as a walkthrough. Students may only participate and be listed once per degree earned.

What if I do not meet the Friday, May 3 deadline to walkthrough?
Students graduating in the summer term may still apply to walkthrough and participate in the June Commencement ceremonies, if eligible, but they will NOT be listed in the official Commencement program as a walkthrough. Instead, they will be listed in next year’s Commencement program as a summer graduate.

Summer Quarter 2024

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 22 in order to:

1. Be cleared for graduation (official transcript will note degree awarded September 7, 2024);
2. And receive a diploma in the mail to the address to the address you entered in your application for degree.

Please review the step-by-step instructions on the University Registrar's website.

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 2025.

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 18. Please refer to the Graduate College website for the required-E Forms (or D-Forms) processes. We also recommend students consult their program, department, college or school 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 ceremonies and related activities is 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 3 if you plan to participate (no exceptions) and continue to check your Drexel email for updates.

Doctoral Student Celebration

Graduating doctoral degree candidates from the current academic year are invited to an annual Doctoral Student Celebration on Tuesday, June 11, 5 to 7:30 p.m. ET. Eligible doctoral degree candidates will receive an email invitation soon with more information and a link to RSVP. Please note that all doctoral hooding is done at the individual college and school Commencement ceremonies. The Doctoral Student Celebration is a celebratory reception and does not require regalia or tickets. Please RSVP accordingly.