Commencement

Fall 2026

Ceremony Livestreams

Date & Times

The J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School Ceremony: Sun., Dec. 20, 9:30 a.m.
Baccalaureate & Associate Degrees: Sat., Aug. 15, 4:30 p.m.

Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony Livestream Fox Graduate School Commencement Ceremony Livestream

On this Page
Schedule & Venues
Parking
Students: Need to Know
Students: To-Do Before the Ceremony
FAQs

Fall 2026 Commencement Schedule

Friday, December 18, 2026

5:00 p.m. – Schreyer Medals Ceremony, HUB-Robeson Center – Heritage Hall

Sunday, December 20, 2026

9:30 a.m. – J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School – Masters and Doctoral Degree Ceremony, The Bryce Jordan Center

4:30 p.m. – College of Arts and Architecture – Baccalaureate and Associate Degree Ceremony, The Bryce Jordan Center

Parking for Commencement

Parking at the Bryce Jordan Center will be free for all Commencement ceremonies. There are ample ADA spaces. If there are any questions, contact the Transportation Services Office at 814-865-1436 or parking@psu.edu

Bryce Jordan Center General Parking Map

Bryce Jordan Center ADA Parking Map

Penn State Commencement Website

The schedule of ceremonies around the University, as well as livestream links, digital commencement programs, venue details and policies, are available on the University commencement site.

Visit commencement.psu.edu

Visitor Bag Policy

Permitted Bags at All Commencement Venues

Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”.
One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).
Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5”x 6.5” x 1".

All media representatives with necessary bags and equipment must enter the front entrance to have each item inspected prior to entering the building.

For additional information related to bag policies, please see the FAQ section below.

Diverse group of graduating students wearing regalia.

graduates in regalia outside holding a blue and white A&A flag

close up of a red, white, and blue commencement honor cord

What you need to know...

Student Information

IMPORTANT: Attending Commencement does not guarantee graduation.

The Commencement Ceremony is a symbolic way to celebrate the completion of your academic career at Penn State, however graduation is a separate records process which takes place after the commencement ceremony.

Undergraduate student to-do items...

Before the ceremony

Apply for graduation

The university needs to know you intend to complete your degree/graduate, and attend commencement activities. So students are asked to apply for graduation at the very beginning of their final semester in Lionpath. If you plan to graduate, and have not applied, talk to your academic adviser as soon as possible – they can help check that you’re ready to complete your degree and help you submit your application.

Check your grades

Final grades are due after Commencement. Be aware of how the grades you will receive will affect your progress towards completing your degree. You cannot graduate with deferred or otherwise incomplete grades, so take the time to talk with your professors about a plan to resolve any issues before commencement.

Stay up to date on commencement related information and deadlines

The University’s Office of Campus and Community Events plans and executes the Summer and Fall Commencement ceremonies. Starting about 6 weeks out of the date of commencement, email messages will start to hit your Penn State inbox from Tassel – the company Penn State uses to create the slides and recordings of your name for when you cross the stage, the Campus and Community Events team and the College. The messages will include instructions about how to verify your name and academic information in Tassel, report times for the day of the ceremony, how to pick up your nomenclator cards and more! Please read through everything carefully so you don't miss important deadlines, or event details.

Order your cap and gown or verify the appropriate academic dress for military commissions

Academic dress (cap and gown) or the uniform of one of the U.S. Armed Forces is expected at commencement.

Visit Jostens PSU University Park Cap and Gown ordering page.

Once there, select a collection from the drop-down menu to view your ordering options. You may choose from the following:

Student Bachelor — Ship to Follett University Park Campus Book Store for Pick Up. Orders must be placed by November 12 and may be picked up starting December 5, 2026. Questions: Please contact the Follett Penn State Campus Book Store at 814-863-0205 or 2431mgr@follett.com
Student Bachelor — Ship to Home (additional shipping fees apply). Orders must be placed by November 12 for ship to home.

If you do not pre-order you may purchase your cap and gown at the Follett Campus Bookstore in the HUB-Robeson Center at University Park.

Advanced degree candidates: The Fox Graduate School regalia information can be found at Advanced Degree Candidates.

Complete your Senior Survey for the College of Arts & Architecture

What are your plans after graduation? Will you enter the job market, travel, continue your education…A&A wants to know! Keep an eye on your Penn State email for a note from A&A’s Office of Undergraduate Education with the link to your Senior Survey. Plan out some time to complete your survey before commencement day.

Students & Visitors...

Commencement FAQs

All University Park commencement locations (including Eisenhower Auditorium) utilize walk-through metal detectors and security checks at entrances, and there are restrictions on the size and type of bag that may be carried into the venue for commencement.

Permitted Bags at Commencement Venues

Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”.
One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar).
Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5”x 6.5” x 1".

Each guest is permitted one bag. No backpacks allowed. All bags will be inspected and tagged. Guests will be asked to return non-approved or excess bags or other prohibited items to their vehicle prior to venue entry. There is no check-in location for prohibited bags or items. An exception will be made for medically necessary items that cannot fit into a clear bag, after proper inspection.

All media representatives with necessary bags and equipment will be checked prior to entry (at the walk-through metal detectors).

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. Information about commencement is available in alternative media on request.

Parking: For an ADA access map of campus, visit the ADA Access Interactive Map. Parking in these lots is available upon a first-come, first-served basis. Please allow extra time for traffic and parking. A valid, state-issued ADA placard or license plate is required for ADA parking.

Seating: ADA seating will be available in each venue.

If you or your guests anticipate needing any type of accommodation not mentioned above or have questions about the physical access provided for Commencement, please contact the Office of Campus and Community Events at graduation@psu.edu. Accommodation arrangements should be made at least 2 weeks before commencement to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.

Candidates for the baccalaureate degrees should be regaled with the Penn State undergraduate cap and gown. Wear the tassel of the cap on the right front edge.

Important notes about appropriate dress:

Ornamentation representing honorary societies or nationalities is not approved attire for Penn State academic ceremonies.
Gowns should be worn closed.
Wearing the Schreyer Honors College medal is welcomed, as are distinction and military cords.
Due to the formality of this occasion and safety concerns regarding walking on the steps and stage, please wear appropriate footwear; flip flops, clogs or other loose-fitting shoes are not recommended.

Commencement and Graduation are not mutually exclusive. Commencement is the symbolic ceremonial conclusion of your academic career as an Undergrad at Penn State. Graduation is an academic records process which takes place after commencement. A student can be graduated (degree conferred, and diploma mailed) without attending commencement, and likewise, someone who attends commencement can potentially not graduate.

Ceremony is approximately 90 minutes in duration.

No tickets or RSVP are required for guests of Arts & Architecture graduates.

There is no limit to the number of guests a graduate can bring with them to the ceremony.

At this time, the dates for the senior survey have not been confirmed, however is you are engaged in student teaching, study abroad or otherwise unable to stop by in person to fill out your survey and receive your distinction cords and name card, please request yours via email to AAundergrad@psu.edu.

Students who have applied for graduation should expect to start seeing information from both the University and the College hit their Penn State email in late March / early April
If you have not applied to graduate, the College won’t know to contact you. If you intend to graduate in a given semester, please reach out to your academic adviser as early as possible in that semester so you can be added to the graduation list.

Penn State has done away with the practice of printing programs for its commencement events. However, there will be programs available online at commencement.psu.edu for each of the colleges after the ceremonies.

Students who are within 8 credits of completing their degree can apply for permission by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Outreach to ‘walk’ in a commencement ceremony during a semester that differs from when they’ll complete their remaining credits.
If you’d like to walk in a commencement ceremony, reach out to your academic adviser as soon as possible. They can verify your remaining credits and help you apply.