Commencement Eligibility and Participation

Commencement and Graduation are different.

Commencement is the ceremony held to celebrate student achievement. A student may be invited to commencement, but will not graduate until all requirements are completed.

Graduation from Empire State University occurs once it is determined that a student has satisfied all necessary academic requirements to earn a degree. Once a student has “graduated,” they have officially earned a degree and the awarded degree will be reflected on their transcript. Students who have graduated and have met all financial obligations to the college will receive their diploma in the mail. More information on the graduation review process can be found at the Graduation Process webpage.

Am I eligible to participate in the 2026 Spring Commencement?

Spring commencement eligibility requirements must be met by March 22, 2026, including:

• Active graduation application on file (instructions found here).
• Completed degree requirements* or registered for final coursework in the spring 2026 term, or summer 2026 term.

*Note for undergraduate students: Degree Program (DP) concurrence and/or individualized Prior Learning Assessment (iPLA) completion are degree requirements, and must be completed (if applicable) prior to the stated date.

How will I be invited to participate?

Students who are eligible to participate in Spring 2026 Commencement will receive email communications to their student email address (@sunyempire.edu), beginning in February 2026, as they become eligible through the March 22 eligibility deadline. Email communications will contain a link to register to attend: all students looking to participate in a commencement ceremony must register.

Will I receive my diploma at the ceremony?

Official diplomas are mailed to students upon graduation; they are not distributed to students at the ceremony. Information about the degree award process and diplomas can be found at the Graduation Process webpage.

At commencement ceremonies, both in the United States and abroad, students will receive an official Empire State University diploma cover as they cross the stage.