The 2024 Commencement Ceremony will take place following the end of Spring semester in May.
Friday, May 17
7 p.m.
If you have questions, contact the Office of Student Records at commencement@cod.edu.
Register for Commencement
The deadline to register to participate in the Commencement ceremony has passed. Students are not required to participate in the Commencement ceremony to earn their degree or certificate. All graduates will receive their diploma in the mail six weeks after their final semester.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find the answers to frequently asked questions about commencement at College of DuPage.
If you have a chosen name that you would prefer to use throughout the ceremony, you will be able to enter this when registering in Marching Order. Please note, this is the name that will be used for the ceremony, but your diploma will show the legal name associated with your record.
Caps and gowns can be purchased through the COD Bookstore during regular hours. The Bookstore has samples you can try on to ensure a proper fit. There are limits of each size available in-person so they will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Remember to bring your confirmation email from Marching Order, as this is required to purchase a cap and gown.
Package (cap/gown/tassel): $42.00
Gown Only: $29.00
Cap Only: $7.00
Tassel Only: $6.00
All graduates who choose to participate in the Commencement ceremony, must wear the appropriate hunter green cap and gown, which can be purchased at the COD Bookstore. If you forget your cap and gown, there will no extras available for loan.
Honor Society membership recognition is through the individual purchase of a stole or cord. Please contact your honor society advisor for information.
You may wear medals that you have been awarded while a student at COD.
Begin the ceremony with your tassel on the right side of your cap.
Yes, there will be a required rehearsal at 5:30 p.m. the day of the ceremony.
Please bring your cap and gown to rehearsal and make sure that your guests have all the information they need regarding their tickets. You will not be able to meet up with your guests between rehearsal and the beginning of the ceremony.
Yes, the ceremony will be streamed on YouTube.
During the ceremony, a professional photographer from Grad Images will take a photograph of you at your special moment of recognition receiving your diploma cover.
Approximately one week after the ceremony you will receive an email with ordering information. You may also visit gradimages.com. There is no obligation to purchase a photo.
In order to ensure an orderly ceremony, we do not allow personal photographs and videos to be taken from the aisles. Personal photographs can be taken after the ceremony at the reception in the Arts Center lobby.
All graduates will receive their diploma in the mail six weeks after their final semester.
Congratulations to all of the COD graduates!
56th Annual Commencement Ceremony
One moment I couldn’t wait for was when I walked across the stage at graduation with my children in the audience watching me earn the degrees I worked so hard and sacrificed for. It will always be one of the most important moments in my life.
Erika AndersonCOD Graduate