Graduation FAQs

Celebration: The ceremony for CCAS master's students where your name will be read out as you cross the stage.

Hooding: The ceremony for CCAS PhD and PsyD students where your name will be hooded on stage by your advocate.

Commencement: The ceremony on the National Mall for all GW students.

Master's Students

I will be completing my master’s degree requirements in the Spring term. Can I participate in the Celebration and Commencement?

Yes! Please be sure to apply to graduate by March 15 in order to participate.

I will be completing my master’s degree requirements in the Summer term. Can I participate in the Celebration and Commencement?

Yes, if you have no more than 9 credits left that you will complete in the summer term. Please be sure to apply to graduate for the Summer term by April 1 in order to participate. Note that you must register for summer courses first before you can apply to graduate in the summer.

I want to graduate in Spring, but I didn’t apply to graduate by the March 15 deadline. Can I still participate in the Celebration and Commencement?

Yes, but you will need to apply to graduate as soon as possible. Please be aware that your name will not be included in the Celebration program booklet.

I will need proof that I graduated before my diploma arrives in the mail. What should I do?

After your degree or certificate has been conferred, you can request the Office of the Registrar to issue a letter certifying that you have graduated. It is also possible to order an official transcript or purchase a Certified Electronic Credential through GWeb. Please wait until after your degree or certificate has been conferred before making a request or purchase.

Certificate Students

I will be completing a certificate program in the Spring term. How do I apply to graduate?

Please apply to graduate through GWeb.

I will be completing a certificate program in the Spring term. Can I participate in the Celebration and Commencement?

No, unfortunately certificate students are not eligible to participate in a Celebration or Commencement.

I will need proof that I graduated before my certificate arrives in the mail. What should I do?

After your degree or certificate has been conferred, you can request the Office of the Registrar to issue a letter certifying that you have graduated. It is also possible to order an official transcript or purchase a Certified Electronic Credential through GWeb. Please wait until after your degree or certificate has been conferred before making a request or purchase.

Doctoral Students

I will be completing my doctoral degree requirements in the Spring term. Can I participate in the Doctoral Hooding and Commencement?

Yes! Please be sure to apply to graduate by March 15 in order to participate.

I will be completing my Ph.D. requirements in the Summer term. Can I participate in this year’s Doctoral Hooding and Commencement?

No, unfortunately you cannot. Ph.D. students who will complete their degree requirements in the Summer term are eligible to participate in the Doctoral Hooding and Commencement of the following year. (Example: Summer 2021 graduates can participate in the May 2022 Doctoral Hooding and Commencement.)

I want to graduate in Spring, but I didn’t apply to graduate by the March 15 deadline. Can I still participate in the Doctoral Hooding and Commencement?

If you defended your dissertation by the spring dissertation defense deadline, you can still participate. You will need to apply to graduate as soon as possible. Please be aware that your name will not be included in the Hooding program booklet.

I will need proof that I graduated before my diploma arrives in the mail. What should I do?

After your degree or certificate has been conferred, you can request the Office of the Registrar to issue a letter certifying that you have graduated. It is also possible to order an official transcript or purchase a Certified Electronic Credential through GWeb. Please wait until after your degree or certificate has been conferred before making a request or purchase.

Please refer to our Graduation page for more details.