Graduation vs. Commencement

Graduation vs. Commencement

Graduation vs. Commencement

What is the difference between graduation and commencement?

Simply put, Commencement is a ceremony held once a year that honors students who just have or will soon graduate, which means completing all requirements of their degree program. Participating in Commencement does not automatically mean that a student has graduated. In order to graduate, a student must complete all requirements of their degree program and fill out an official online graduation application.

  • When students apply to graduate, advisors and the Registrar will check to certify that all program requirements have been satisfied. Once approved, the degree will display on the student transcript. Degrees are conferred 4-6 weeks after final grades are posted, then diplomas are printed and mailed.
  • Participating in Commencement is a separate process from graduating. When a student confirms participation in Commencement, Rowan University will reserve a seat at the ceremony and provide tickets for guests. Students who will finish their degree requirements during a later term can still participate in Commencement, but will need to RSVP. Please click here to learn more about the Commencement ceremony.

Students can graduate at the end of any semester: degrees are conferred in December for the Fall semester, January for the Winter semester, May for the Spring semester, and August for the Summer semester. The Commencement Ceremony is held once annually in May. 

Please visit the drop-downs below to learn more about Graduation vs. Commencement. 

 

Graduation

Graduation refers to receiving a degree when a student has been certified by the University as meeting all degree requirements. 

  • Students must apply to graduate.
  • Upon certification/approval (typically by the academic advisor), and after all grades have been submitted, the degree is awarded and displays on your Rowan University transcript.
  • Degree conferral occurs 4-6 weeks after final semester grades are posted. Diplomas are printed and mailed after the degree certification process is complete.
  • Graduation is possible at the end of each Rowan term: Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer.
  • Please review the Graduation Guide for more details and deadlines.
  • Any questions about graduation should be directed to graduation@rowan.edu.
Commencement

The Commencement Ceremony is the annual event at which family, friends, and the Rowan community celebrate each graduate's academic achievements.

  • Confirming attendance at the Commencement Ceremony is a separate process from applying to graduate. Students who apply to graduate must also RSVP to the Commencement Ceremony. Click here for registration/RSVP instructions.
  • Students who did not apply to graduate may still be eligible to participate in the Commencement Ceremony. Click here for registration/RSVP instructions.
  • Commencement is held once annually in May.
  • Details and deadlines about participation in the Commencement Ceremony are available from the Commencement website. 
  • Any questions about Commencement should be directed to commencement@rowan.edu.

Registering to participate notifies University Events/the Commencement Office of your intention to attend Commencement, so they can reserve your seat at the ceremony and provide tickets for your guests. Participation in Commencement DOES NOT guarantee awarding of the degree and only those who apply and are approved within proper deadlines will be awarded a degree.