All KU and KU Medical Center students with plans to graduate must complete an Application for Graduation. A complete application does not grant graduation approval. You must contact your respective school to confirm that requirements have been met and to finalize details. (Note: Graduate degree requirements may not be due until late April.) To complete your Application for Graduation, follow these instructions:

• Log into Enroll & Pay.
• Access the “Degree Progress/Graduation” page.
• Click on “KU Apply for Graduation.”
• Confirm the name that will appear on your diploma and in the Commencement book.

If you completed your Application for Graduation by/on March 1st, your name will be included in the Commencement book, unless you checked the Commencement Book Hold box on your application.

Confirm your personal information

While in Enroll & Pay, please confirm contact information for yourself post-graduation and for an emergency contact on the “Personal Details” page.

Determine honors

The top 10% of undergraduates, as calculated by GPA, graduate with distinction. Roughly a third of those students graduate with the highest distinction. An average of 10 seniors also have their academic, volunteer, and leadership accomplishments recognized with a University Award.

Ask your advisor any graduation-related questions about distinction and honors. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) restricts parents or guardians from access to this information.

It is suggested to purchase your regalia by March 27th to ensure it arrives in time before the ceremony as regalia can take several weeks to ship. 

Caps & gowns, tassels, hoods, rings, and announcements can be found at:
KU Bookstore 785-864-4640 or 1-800-458-1111
KU Med Center Bookstore 913-588-2548 or 1-800-262-7509

IPCD Regalia:

• Master of Liberal Arts Studies, (MA SLP)
• Au.D.
• SLPD
• Ph.D.

Participants must wear academic regalia at the KU Graduation ceremonies. Regalia include mortarboards, tams, gowns, tassels, and hoods. (Commemorative crimson and blue tassels and Jayhawk zipper-pulls are also available.)

Commencement participants can attend one of KU’s Grad Fairs to purchase their cap and gown, graduation announcements, diploma frames, and other Commencement needs. Cap and gown portraits will also be available, and KU staff will be on hand to answer any questions.

Invitations are student responsibility. Graduation announcements can be ordered from the KU Bookstore. 

KU Bookstore 785-864-4640 or 1-800-458-1111
KU Med Center Bookstore 913-588-2548 or 1-800-262-7509

Commencement participants can attend one of KU’s Grad Fairs to purchase their cap and gown, graduation announcements, diploma frames, and other Commencement needs. Cap and gown portraits will also be available, and KU staff will be on hand to answer any questions.

LAWRENCE CAMPUS GRAD FAIR
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Wednesday, March 25 and Thursday, March 26
Kansas Union Ballroom, Level 5
1301 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS

EDWARDS CAMPUS GRAD FAIR
2-7 p.m.
Wednesday, March 11
Regents Center, Hawks Nest
12600 Quivira Road
Overland Park, KS

KU MEDICAL CENTER GRAD FAIR
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Tuesday, February 24 and Wednesday, March 4
Orr-Major Building, Room G004
3901 Rainbow Blvd.
Kansas City, KS

Recommended to purchase items a minimum of 6 weeks before graduation. 

You can also purchase Commencement regalia, graduation announcements, and diploma frames at the KU Bookstore or online at the Jostens KU storefront, while supplies last.

Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 10:30am

Main Auditorium Lied Center, 1600 Stewart Drive, Lawrence 

More information

Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 7:30pm

Main Auditorium Lied Center, 1600 Stewart Drive, Lawrence 

More information

Friday, May 15th, 2026 at 3-4:30PM

Regnier Hall, Edwards Campus. Invitation Only.  

Typically, ALL AuD graduates attend this ceremony as this is the ceremony where you received your White Coat, generously donated by our Alumni and donors.

Contact Emily Van Dyke, evandyke@kumc.edu with any questions. 

KU Medical Center Graduation Information

Graduate Studies Student Hub

School of Health Professions

Saturday, May 16th at 9:00am 

KU Medical Center Hooding and Recognition Ceremonies
“Soldiers & Sailors” Memorial Hall
600 North 7th Street Trafficway, Kansas City, Kansas

Deadline to register is Monday, March 23rd. Contact Rachel Sherley rsherley@kumc.edu for questions. Request access to Teams page for more information. 

Find more information here. 

Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 1pm - 4pm

Budig Hall Auditorium, Room 120. 

1455 Jayhawk Blvd, Lawrence, KS 66045

Students need to arrive by 11:45pm. 

Ceremony is for both undergraduate and graduate students. 

See more information below for ceremony specifics. 

Sunday, May 17th, 2026 at 10:30am. 

David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence Campus. 

More information (includes important guest, parking and navigation details) 

Ceremony is invitation only. Learn more here. 

SPLH provides white honor cords for top 3% and 10% GPA at our ceremony. Details listed below. 

• Do I need to RSVP or get tickets? No, any number of guests may attend and there are no tickets required. Please encourage your guests to avoid standing/sitting in the aisles to take pictures as the professional photographer and graduates may be moving around in all the lower aisles.

• Accessible seating (ADA / ASL): We have an area designated for mobility limited guests. These seats are limited so large families won't be guaranteed that they can all sit together based on demand. An ASL interpreter will be present. 

  To reserve the accessible seating please complete this form. A confirmation email with details will be sent a week before graduation. When you arrive at the ceremony, check in with the front desk at the West entrance to be shown your seat. Email splh@ku.edu with any questions or concerns. 

• How do I park on KU campus?  Parking in all lots are free as of Friday at 1pm until noon on Monday. Recommended to park in Allen Fieldhouse garage, Mississippi Street garage or along Memorial Drive.

  KU campus parking map

  Please see the main commencement page for more parking specifics.

• Regalia required: All graduates are to wear proper academic regalia (see Regalia section above). Please wear gowns to the venue for registration because photos will start immediately after check in.
• When your regalia arrives, hang it up to remove wrinkles. You can also steam the gown to remove wrinkles. 
• Graduate hoods: Graduate students, bring your hood but do not wear it. You will leave square hats and programs in your seats for hooding and receiving scrolls.
  • Overview of hooding at 2 minutes in this instructional video.
• Proper attire: You will be marching and standing a good part of the time and some of the aisles are at an incline. Therefore, low-heeled, comfortable dress shoes are recommended. Wearing appropriate clothing under you gown is also recommended: business casual or Sunday best. 
• Personal belongings: There are no secure areas to leave personal belongings, so it is recommended that jackets, purses, water bottles, and other personal items be left with your guests. Do not take items on stage or store under seats. It is a tripping hazard. 
• Ceremony etiquette: Please be respectful of others and silence all cell phones.

Arrival and Check In (By 11:45am) 

Check in at the registration table in the lobby of Budig (side near Wescoe Hall). 

Receive your name card and keep until you cross the stage. 

• Write phonetic spelling of name.
• Scan QR code on back to register for photography.
• Hand to faculty member as you cross the stage. 

Group Photos before Ceremony (12:00pm) 

Group photos will be conducted in the following order: UG, MA, AuD, SLPD, PhD and Faculty. Please remain near registration table to hear your group be called. 

There will be individual photo stations available for use in the main area. 

Line Up for Processional (12:45pm)

After photos, make sure you have a program and line up at the signs marking your degree program. Read the information posted about proper tassel and hood placement. 

Enter Ceremony (1:00pm) 

Follow the line leader as staff direct you into the ceremony space. Take note of your row letter and seat number as you will return there later. 

Remain standing until instructed to sit. 

Graduate students: Remove your square cap and leave it off until you have been hooded. 

Receive Scroll / Photography 

Stage order: UG, MA, PhD, SLPD and AuD.

• Students will be asked to stand by row and guided to the stage by a staff member.
• Hand your name card to the faculty member standing to the right of the podium.
• The speaker will announce your name.
• Receive your scroll with your left hand and shake hands with your right hand.
• Pause briefly and smile toward the photographer.

After you receive your scroll, you will be guided to the hallway for additional photos then will return to your seat. 

• Processional
• Welcome and introductions
• Student Speakers
• Presentation of Individual Awards and Departmental Honors. Including top 3% and 10% honors. 
• Acknowledgement of Scholars & Departmental Student Groups
• Presentation of the Graduates by the Faculty
• Baccalaureate
• Master of Arts Speech-Language Pathology
• Doctor of Audiology
• Doctor of Speech- Language Pathology
• Doctor of Philosophy Speech- Language Pathology
• Doctor of Philosophy Audiology
• Singing of the Alma Mater
• Dismissal & Announcements 
• Reception following on Wescoe Hall Patio. Clinic will be open after refreshments for family & friends to tour.  

The length of each ceremony differs by the number of graduates attending and receiving diplomas. All graduating students are to remain in the auditorium for the duration of the ceremony.  

The Grad Team is the official Commencement photographer for the University of Kansas. They will be photographing school and department recognition events throughout the weekend, as well as the Commencement ceremony on Sunday. To preregister for your graduate’s photos, please visit TheGradTeam.com/KU and select the first event under the Future Events section they will be attending. Enter their contact information and upload a selfie, then select each event they will be participating in.

• We will have QR codes with information at the registration check in table for ordering photos.
• Please take the time to fill out the form online and register with the photographer. There will be multiple photo proofs of each graduate.   

Students on all KU campuses can either have their diploma mailed or pick it up in person. 

Mailed: Complete the “Diploma Delivery Request” in Enroll & Pay, make sure your mailing address is correct, and pay the mailing fee. Students will receive an email notification when their diploma is mailed

Pickup: KU Visitor Center at 1502 Iowa St, Lawrence, KS 66045

Diplomas are typically available:

• Late July for spring graduates
• Late September for summer graduates
• Late February for fall graduates

For more information, contact the Registrar at 785-864-4422 or visit registrar.ku.edu/diplomas.

• I am graduating. Do I need to RSVP for the SPLH/IPCD ceremony? No RSVP is required for this ceremony. As long as you have applied to graduate, it is assumed that you plan to participate. If you are also attending other ceremonies, please review those events’ instructions, as they may have separate requirements.
• I graduated in winter or will over summer. Can I walk? Yes, please contact splh@ku.edu to be added to the list of graduates before March 31st to be included in the department program. 
• How do I know if I applied to graduate? Contact splh@ku.edu to confirm you are on our list of graduates. It won't negatively impact your record if you apply multiple times on accident. Please apply by March 31st to be included in the SPLH/IPCD program. March 1st for KU Commencement. 
• How do I get my honor cords? Honor cords are given during the SPLH/IPCD graduation ceremony. 3% and 10% GPA distinctions earn white cords and departmental research honors earn teal cords.