Event Details
USU Commencement
All graduating students in the College of Arts and Sciences are invited to participate in the USU Commencement:
Wednesday, April 29th, 2026 7:00pm
Dee Glen Smith Spectrum
For more information, see the Utah State Commencement Webpage.
Friday, May 1, 2026, at 1:30 pm in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, 800 East 1000 North
- Check in at: 12:45 pm at the Wayne Estes Center (west of the Spectrum)
- Procession begins: 1:25 pm (this is when grads start walking from the Estes Center to the Spectrum)
- Ceremony begins: 1:30 pm
This ceremony is for candidates for College of Arts and Sciences Master's and Doctoral Degrees.
Candidates for master’s and doctoral degrees are required to submit an Application for Graduation to the Registrar's office (TSC 246) by February 28, 2026. This applies to students who either graduated Fall 2025 or who expect to graduate in Spring 2026 or Summer 2026 semesters. Depending on whether a student is on Plan A, B, or C or a doctoral candidate, varying processes and paperwork exist that signal program completion and qualification for commencement participation. Students should visit the Semester Deadlines page and work with their Graduate Program Coordinators to identify the deadlines and necessary steps required for degree completion and have their degree posted to their transcript. For additional clarification or assistance, please contact gradcommencement@usu.edu.
Friday, May 1, 2026, at 4:00 pm in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, 800 East 1000 North
- Check in at: 3:15 pm at the Wayne Estes Center (west of the Spectrum)
- Procession begins: 3:55 pm (this is when grads start walking from the Estes Center to the Spectrum)
- Ceremony begins: 4:00 pm
This ceremony is for the College of Arts and Sciences students receiving an Associate of Criminal Justice or any ArtSci Bachelor's degrees. Graduates will need to arrive early to check in and line up inside the Estes Center and prepare for the processional into the Spectrum.
Candidates for graduation must complete a Graduation Application.
Application Deadlines:
- Fall 2025 - October 31
- Spring 2026 - February 28
- Summer 2026 - July 15
- Summer graduates wishing to have their name included in the digital program at the time of Commencement should apply for graduation no later than March 31, 2026. Summer graduates who apply after this date will have their name added to the digital program following the conclusion of the summer semester.
Statewide Ceremonies
If you plan to attend a ceremony at a Statewide Campus, please reach out to the campus coordinator for information on ceremony information, regalia, and other details or visit Utah State's Statewide Campuses Graduation Ceremonies page.
All ceremonies, excluding Southwest and Moab, will be broadcast live.
Regalia
Students participating in the Logan campus Convocation ceremonies must have a cap, gown, and tassel. Students receiving master's or doctoral degrees must also have a hood. These items can be purchased from the USU Campus Store in-person on the Logan campus at the Grad Fair on March 16-17, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, or online beginning March 18th from USU’s Campus Store. Purchase regalia at the Grad Fair or online by March 25th to take advantage of the Grad Fair discount.
Objects or dress of cultural significance are also welcome as approved regalia for ceremonies. Please feel free to share some of your culture with the rest of our ArtSci community and family!
Tassel and Hood Colors
ArtSci grads earning an Associate’s
ArtSci grads earning a Bachelor’s
For master's and doctoral students:
The hood has a White velvet lining for grads earning a Master’s or PhD
ArtSci grads earning a Master’s
All USU grads earning a PhD
PhD grads will wear a tam rather than a mortar board.
ArtSci Graduation Celebration
We love to see our students graduate and want to celebrate you as much as possible! You and your family are invited to attend a Graduation Celebration. Light meal and Aggie Ice Cream will be served while you and your family connect with your peers and the faculty that made your time here at USU memorable. The Graduation Celebration will be held directly following the undergraduate convocation on Friday, May 1 at the Nelson Fieldhouse. There is no cost to attend.
Ticketing
Tickets will not be issued or required for graduates or their guests.
Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities
For information regarding ASL interpreting, accessible parking, and wheelchair access, please contact the Disability Resource Center at 435-797-2444 or via email at drc@usu.edu.
FAQ
Where do I leave my purse or backpack during the Convocation?
We recommend leaving these items with family or friends. If you bring personal items with you to the line-up, you will need to take them with you to the event venue. Staging areas are not secured during the ceremony, and you will not be returning to the staging area afterwards.
I’m earning two majors, which major do I line up with?
It’s completely up to you which major you line up with. You can walk with your friends - we do not line up in alphabetical order.
What if there isn’t a name card for me? What do I do?
We will have blank name cards at a table in the Estes center, and you can fill one out and then go line up with your department.
Where can I order a Commemorative Program?
USU Aggie Print is offering full, personalized printed Commencement programs. Programs are available for pre-order online.
Can I walk in another college's ceremony?
Sometimes spouses or siblings will choose to walk together in a ceremony other than the one for their own college. If this is the case, please reach out to the representative for your college and the representative for the college whose ceremony you would like to attend. Use the USU Commencement Schedule page to find a list of representatives.
How do I carry my Hood? (for Individuals receiving master’s or doctoral degrees only)
Fold your hood in half. Lay the color and rounded end towards your body on your left arm. There will be faculty members there to hood you at the ceremony.
Will my parents/guests be able to take pictures?
They may take pictures from their seats, but they will not be able to walk onto the floor. We have professional photographers that will capture key moments free of charge.
How do I obtain the pictures taken at the college convocation?
Within a week following the ceremony, you can retrieve these photos on the USU Commencement Media page.
Where should I/my guests park?
Please refer to USU's Commencement parking/shuttle map.
For College of Arts and Sciences Convocation questions, contact:
Susie Parkinson
435.797.3883
Richelle Gibson
435.797.3883
