Commencement Ceremony

Friday, May 22
Physical Education Center (PEC) Arena

There will be two ceremony options, 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Please note that registration for the Commencement ceremony is now closed.

If you have questions, contact the Office of Student Records at commencement@cod.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find the answers to frequently asked questions about commencement at College of DuPage. If you have further questions, contact the Office of Student Records at commencement@cod.edu.

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 Tassel. 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.

Once you have submitted your response and confirmed your attendance at one of the two ceremonies, you will receive an email with a link to order your cap and gown directly through the Herff Jones website.

Ship to Store Deadline: April 17, 2026 (pickup at the bookstore will take place May 20 to 22, 2026)
Ship to Home Deadline: April 24, 2026

The required cap, gown and tassel is $43.

All graduates who choose to participate in the Commencement ceremony, must wear the appropriate hunter green cap and gown, which can be purchased online 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.

There will not be a rehearsal for the ceremony this year. Stay tuned for more information.

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.

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Commencement Ceremony

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I update my name that will be read during the ceremony?

How do I order my cap and gown?

What is the price for the cap and gown?

What are the guidelines for regalia?

Will there be a rehearsal before the ceremony?

Will the ceremony be livestreamed?

Will there be photographs taken during the ceremony?

When will I receive my diploma?

Take the Next Step