Graduation and Commencement Ceremonies
Graduation
Graduation happens when you fulfill all your degree or certificate requirements.
All students must apply for graduation. The application must be submitted, and the graduation fee paid, by the application deadline to be considered a candidate for degree.
Undergraduate: $35
Graduate: $40
View Application Deadlines
Submit Your Graduation Application Online
The application is available for the current semester and the next two semesters.
Simultaneous Degrees
Undergraduate students completing requirements for two majors concurrently are eligible to receive only one degree unless 150 or more hours have been completed*. The degree awarded is the degree for the students primary major. To receive two degrees simultaneously, two different majors are required. The degrees may be the same (e.g., two B.A. degrees) or different (a B.A. degree and a B.S. degree). Simultaneous degrees are for undergraduate 1st bachelor's degree-seeking students only.
In order to receive two bachelor's degrees as the same time, the student would need to submit the Simultaneous Degree Application by the applicable graduation deadline. For more information, visit the Simultaneous Degree site.
Commencement Ceremonies
Commencement is a ceremony that celebrates your graduation.
Undergraduate students completing degree requirements during the fall semester participate in the winter (December) commencement ceremony.
Undergraduate students completing degree requirements during the spring or summer semesters participate in the spring (May) commencement ceremony. Illinois State does not hold commencement ceremonies in summer.
Honor Cords
For an undergraduate student to graduate with an honor distinction (laude honors), the student must have earned a minimum of 30 semester hours at Illinois State University as well as a cumulative GPA of 3.65 or higher after the last completed semester, as grades and hours for the current semester will not be posted at the time of commencement ceremonies. Only ISU course work is included in the calculation of the cumulative GPA. New start students are not eligible for honors with their new start GPA.
Cumulative GPA Honor Distinction / Honor Cord Color
3.90 – 4.00 Summa Cum Laude / Gold Cord
3.80 – 3.89 Magna Cum Laude / Lilac Cord
3.65 – 3.79 Cum Laude / White Cord
Eligible students will receive an email from the Office of the University Registrar regarding honor cord pick-up approximately four weeks prior to commencement ceremonies.
Graduate Students
Visit the Graduate School website to get graduation, commencement ceremony, and specific application requirements.
Not Currently Enrolled
Complete the paper graduation application. Submit your application and fee in person or by mail.
In Person
Stop by Student Accounts.
By Mail
Send to:
Illinois State University
Student Accounts
Campus Box 1210
Normal, IL 61790-1210