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Graduation and Commencement

Turn your degree
into a better world.

The Spring 2023 commencement ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at 1:00 p.m., in Bryce Jordan Center. We welcome all graduating students and their family, friends, and support system to attend in celebration and recognition of the hard work of our students.

BJC Bag Policy: https://bjc.psu.edu/bryce-jordan-center-bag-policy

Cap and Gown: Students can obtain regalia for the ceremony from the Penn State Bookstore on campus.

Ticketing and Guest Limits: We do not have limits to the number of guests you may have and there will be no ticketing for our ceremony.

Distinction, Honor Cords: Students graduating with distinction have been notified and directed to pick up cords to wear for the ceremony.

Post Ceremony Reception: Following the ceremony, graduates and guests are invited to attend an informal outdoor reception located in the courtyard between the Life Sciences and Thomas Buildings. Our faculty and staff will be in attendance to celebrate with you!

If you are a graduating student, it’s your responsibility to notify the University of your intent to graduate. This should be done at the beginning of the semester you plan to graduate, by using the “Graduating This Semester” LionPATH application.

If you have missed the deadline to apply for graduation during the activation period in LionPATH, please contact your adviser or Cyndi Meyers - cab408@psu.edu - to be added to the list.

  • Review your Academic Requirements report (Degree Audit) in the My Academics page in LionPATH to verify that your degree requirements are met or in progress.
  • Consult your academic adviser with concerns or degree audit questions.
  • Work with your instructors to clear up any deferred grades. Deferred grades will not count toward your degree.
  • Be sure to address any registration holds. You can find holds in the communication center in LionPATH.
  • Pay your Bursar bill. You must have all your charges paid to the University prior to graduation.
  • If you are transferring credits to Penn State from another institution, please consult with your adviser in advance to make sure that the courses are approved for transfer and will meet your remaining PSU degree requirements. Please remember that, for the course to be added to your transcript, you must earn at least a C grade and provide an official transcript to PSU. This must occur before the graduation approval deadline.

The commencement ceremony is an event that marks a major milestone for graduates and their families. To preserve this tradition and the meaning of commencement as a celebration of the completion of the degree, Penn State Science has established this policy:

Only Penn State Science seniors who have completed all degree requirements for graduation and have filed their intent to graduate are permitted to walk across the stage and have their names read at the commencement ceremony.

Additional information and instructions about the commencement ceremony can be found at commencement.psu.edu