Ceremony

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Ceremony

All Michigan State University degree candidates who attend their commencement ceremony are recognized individually for their academic achievement. Please help us provide a memorable event for all involved.

Spring 2025 Commencement

  • Advanced Degrees: Friday, May 2, 2025
  • Baccalaureate Degrees: Friday, May 2 - Sunday, May 4, 2025

Spring 2025 Schedule

Gates/Doors open one hour prior to ceremony start times.

  • No tickets are required.  
  • There are no limits on the number of guests per graduate at this time.
  • Seating for guests is first-come, first-seated.
  • Please remain for the entire ceremony.
  • No guests (including babies and children) are permitted in the candidate assembly area or the arena floor.
  • Please be respectful of all candidates. All names deserve to be heard.
  • Photographs are encouraged, but please remain in your seat when photographing or recording. Professional photographers will provide at least one photo of each graduate. The vendor will contact the graduates with purchasing information.
  • Please be sure to review the security page for prohibited items.

 

Spring Undergraduate Convocation vs. College-Level Ceremonies

The Spring Undergraduate Convocation Ceremony is a one hour ‘kick-off’ to the commencement events and is for all graduating seniors. Degrees are not conferred at this ceremony. This is the ceremony where all University administrators are present and the main commencement keynote speaker addresses baccalaureate degree candidates. Graduates remain seated for the duration of the ceremony and do not walk across the stage.

The college-level ceremonies are when degrees are conferred and each graduate is individually recognized as they walk across the stage to receive their token diploma*.

Baccalaureate Degree Graduates are invited to attend both Convocation and their college-level ceremony.

*Note: Token diplomas are distributed at the commencement ceremonies as a ceremonial representation of a graduate’s earned degree. Official diplomas listing a graduate’s name and degree are mailed approximately 6-8 weeks after the end of the semester.

 

Graduate Seating

Advanced Degrees

Fall and Spring Semesters:
  • Doctoral degree candidates will be seated by college on the Arena floor.
  • Educational specialist and master’s degree candidates will be seated by college in the bleachers and on the Arena level.

Baccalaureate Degrees

Fall Semester:
  • Candidates are seated by college in the bleachers on the Arena level. The stage is located on the west side of the Arena floor. View Seating Diagram (PDF).
Spring Semester:
  • The seating will vary by ceremony. However, graduating seniors will be seated by major either on the Arena floor or in bleacher seating on the Arena level. The stage is located on the west side of the Arena floor.
Ceremony

Reminder to Candidates

  • You MUST apply to graduate. Complete the application through SIS by February 28 for the Spring 2025 semester. This will ensure that your name is included in the printed commencement program. If you have a FERPA restriction on your account or apply after the deadline, your name will not print in the program.
  • Pre-registration for ceremony participation closed on April 18 at noon; however, students are still welcome to participate in their ceremony! Students will simply need to fill out a blank name card upon their arrival on the day of their ceremony. Graduates that pre-registered will have a printed name card.