Commencement FAQ | Colorado Mesa University

Graduation refers to the completion of all requirements for a degree and certificate. Students officially graduate when all degree/certificate requirements have been fulfilled successfully. You do not have to participate in a ceremony to graduate.

Commencement is the ceremony to celebrate the earning of a degree or certificate. Participation in the ceremony does not necessarily mean you have graduated. You graduate only after you have successfully completed all the requirements for your degree or certificate and it has been conferred on your record.

Students are eligible to participate in a commencement ceremony based on which semester they complete their graduation requirements in the academic year.

Summer Term* - December Commencement
Fall Term - December or May Commencement
Spring Term - May Commencement

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they are enrolled in the necessary courses or have a plan on file with the Registrar’s Office using the “Graduation Planning Sheet” or DegreeWorks Plan which outlines how all requirements will be met. In the four months prior to the ceremony, students must be on track to complete all requirements to remain eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony.

*Summer graduates may participate in the preceding May ceremony only if they are registered by April 15 for one or more summer courses that do not exceed six credits or an internship course that does not exceed 12 credits. The student must be able to finish the summer coursework by the end of the summer term.

Winter ceremonies are approximately 1.5 - 2 hours. Spring ceremonies are approximately 2 - 2.5 hours.

Tickets are not required at this time.

There is no limit to the number of guests you can invite. Seating is limited per the capacity of the venue.

Name cards are what is used to announce your name at the ceremony as you cross the stage. Your name card will be issued in your Grad Pack and should be kept with you at the ceremony. It is the only thing you need to bring up to the stage with you. Further information on Grad Packs is on our Commencement page under Graduate instructions and information.

Yes! Graduates are welcome to decorate their caps as long as they are appropriate for the celebratory occasion.

Yes, the Alumni and Career Services Office takes donations of caps, gowns, tassels and stoles that have not been decorated or otherwise altered. Please drop items off at Career Services in Rotary Hall.

If you are interested in using a donated cap/gown for your ceremony, contact Bethany Meyers at Career Services at 970.248.1404 or [email protected]

For undergraduate students to be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

Earning one of the following:
- bachelor's degree
- associate degree
- professional certificate
- technical certificate
For bachelor's and associate degrees: have a cumulative Colorado Mesa University GPA of 3.50 or higher as of the end of the previous term
For professional and technical certificates: have a Colorado Mesa University GPA of 3.50 or higher for coursework within the professional and technical certificate being earned as of the end of the previous term

Honors cords are not given to graduate students.

Honors cords are given out in the grad pack with name cards approximately one week before the ceremony.

Some students wish to take photos in their regalia earlier than the grad pack is available. If you would like your honors cords before Grad Packs are available, please contact the Graduation Manager in the Registrar's Office at [email protected] or call the Registrar's Office at 970.248.1555.

Honors designations are for undergraduate students only. Graduate students will not have honors designations. The GPA used for honors includes only coursework taken at CMU and does not include any transfer or alternative credit. For degrees, you can view your Graduation GPA on DegreeWorks next to the percentages of completion.

With Distinction - Technical/Professional certificate graduates with grade point averages of 3.50 to 3.74 for coursework within the certificate and Associate degree graduates with cumulative grade point averages of 3.50 to 3.74.

With High Distinction - Technical/Professional certificate graduates with grade point averages of 3.75 to 4.00 for coursework within the certificate and Associate degree graduates with cumulative grade point averages of 3.75 to 4.00.

Cum Laude - Baccalaureate degree graduates with cumulative grade point averages of 3.50 to 3.74.

Magna Cum Laude - Baccalaureate degree graduates with cumulative grade point averages of 3.75 to 3.89.

Summa Cum Laude - Baccalaureate degree graduates with cumulative grade point averages of 3.90 to 4.00.

The grade point average for honors/distinction at commencement does not include final-term, in-progress courses. It is based of the previous term cumulative, institutional GPA for undergraduates.

The ultimate honors/distinction recognition to appear on the permanent record/transcript for undergraduates will reflect the appropriate category based on the inclusion of the final-term course grades required for the completion of degree requirements.

Students are grouped together based on certain categories. Within your group, there is no order. If you wish to sit next to your friend or classmate, make sure you are in the same line when processing into the arena/stadium. This is your best chance to sit together, however rows are filled so there is no guarantee that you won't be split into two rows.

Yes, there is seating designated for guests who cannot use the standard arena/stadium seating. This area is limited to the guest needing accommodation plus one companion. All other family or companions must use the general seating. You do not need to reserve a seat in this area, all seating is first-come, first-serve.

These areas are indicated on the maps for the Brownson Arena in winter and Stocker Stadium in spring.

Yes, we have ASL interpreters at each ceremony. Generally they are seated in front of the stage on one side. In May, they are on the right hand side of the stage and projected onto the large screen. In December, they are on the left hand side of the stage.

ADA Service animals are allowed. For Graduates, we ask that you indicate that you will have your service animal with you on your Intent to Graduate form or let the Graduation Manager know in advance so we can make sure the proper accommodations can be made for the size of your animal.

Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed for graduates participating the ceremony or inside of the Maverick Center, including Brownson Arena. While guests may bring animals to Stocker Stadium, it is not recommended due to the amount of people, noise, weather and activity present for the celebratory event.

If you are not attending the ceremony, you may pick up a diploma cover at the Registrar's Office in Lowell Heiny Hall during your final semester. One cover is given per student. If you would like an additional cover, you may order one through our storefront linked on our Diploma webpage.

Diplomas are mailed to all students approximately 8 weeks after degrees are awarded on records. Digital diplomas will be available a few weeks before printed diplomas.

For more questions regarding diplomas, go to our Diplomas webpage.

Digital diplomas and certificates are only available for credentials earned in Fall 2025 forward. Your digital diploma is available through Parchment. Parchment will send a claim email to the graduate's CMU email address as soon as they are issued. The email will contain a link to create a parchment account. Follow the steps accordingly:

Create or sign into your Parchment account with your CMU email
Add your personal email to your Parchment account so you never lose access to your digital credentials. Need help with this? Click here.
Download a PDF of your degree or certificate for your personal record. Need help with this? Click here.

Utilize the Parchment Learner Help Center for questions regarding Parchment accounts or accessing digital credentials.

For more questions regarding diplomas, go to our Diplomas webpage.