Event Details
Congratulations, graduates!
CSU’s official commencement website has everything graduating students and their guests need to know about Spring commencement at Colorado State University.
- The University-wide Commencement for all graduates is from 4:30-6 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025 at Canvas Stadium,
- For Master’s students: recognition ceremonies are grouped by academic unit. View the recognition ceremony schedule.
- For doctoral students: you’re invited to join the Graduate School’s Doctoral Candidate Recognition Ceremony and Hooding.
- Note: there is a separate hooding ceremony for Doctorates of Veterinary Medicine
University-wide Commencement
Please visit the commencement website for full details including:
- Frequently Asked Questions.
- Graduate Checklists.
- A checklist for family and guests to prepare for commencement.
- Important dates and deadlines.
- RSVP link that graduates must complete to reserve tickets for the university-wide commencement and recognition ceremonies.
- A link to order a cap and gown (Grad Pack), and more!
Doctoral Hooding and Recognition Ceremony
The Doctoral Candidate Hooding Ceremony is a unique recognition of the achievement of students who have earned a doctoral degree.
Tradition at Colorado State calls for doctoral students to be hooded by their advisors at the commencement ceremonies. In some cases, this may be a member of the student’s committee or someone else who has been significant to the student during their graduate career.
Graduates will purchase their regalia through the Alumni Association’s Grad Packs. Hood color varies by degree; the regalia provider has the full information, including eligible students and their degrees, and will ensure you receive the correct regalia. Each candidate will bring an appropriate hood to the ceremony as provided with the regalia purchase.
Hooding ceremony instructions for faculty members can be found here.
How to apply to graduate
All graduate students must fill out the GS25 application form to begin the multi-step Graduate School process toward degree completion. Review the Graduate School’s deadlines for completing degree requirements to ensure you’re checking every box for commencement.