Spring 2026 University-Wide Commencement
Each spring, University-wide Commencement at Canvas Stadium brings together the entire graduating class to celebrate this milestone alongside peers, mentors and community.
Please visit the commencement website for full details about spring commencement ceremonies, including:
- Frequently Asked Questions.
- Graduate Checklists.
- Information for family and guests to prepare for spring commencement.
- RSVP to the university-wide ceremony and/or recognition ceremonies on RamWeb.
- Order your regalia and find details about regalia distribution events here.
Graduate School Recognition Ceremony Event Details
Recognition ceremonies complement University-wide Commencement by providing the traditional opportunity to hear your name called, walk across a stage, and receive your diploma cover. Doctoral candidates will be hooded by their advisors.
Saturday, May 16
Location: Moby Arena
Doors open/student processional lineup: 12:30 p.m.
Congratulations, graduates! All doctoral and master’s students are welcome to participate in the Graduate School Recognition Ceremony, except College of Business master’s candidates, who are included in COB ceremonies, and DVM candidates, who have a dedicated hooding ceremony hosted by the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.
- Graduating students must line up by 12:30 p.m. on May 16, 2026. The location of lineup will be announced soon. The ceremony begins promptly at 1 p.m.
- Students must wear regalia to participate in the ceremony. The deadline to order online is Feb. 27, 2026. Regalia can also be ordered on-site at Grad Fest, April 16-17, and a final distribution will be held May 15-16. Order your regalia and find details about regalia distribution events here.
- Clear Bag Policy is in effect at the Moby Arena
- GradImages will be the on-site photographer. You can review photos for purchase online the week after commencement. Or, if you would like to receive an email when your graduation photos are available, please preregister.
- Review frequently asked questions about the graduate school recognition ceremony here.
Doctoral Hooding
The Doctoral Candidate Hooding 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.
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.