Application deadline/process

All degree candidates must apply to have their degrees certified to be eligible to participate in commencement.

Spring/summer 2023

For those students completing courses during the spring/summer 2023 semester (August), the deadline to apply to graduate is Friday, June 2, 2023. This application will open Feb. 12, 2023. There is not a ceremony for spring/summer graduates. If you would like your name to appear in the winter 2023 commencement program, you must apply to graduate between Feb. 12 and March 11, 2023. Should you apply to graduate after this date, your name will appear in the fall 2023 commencement program. 

Walking in commencement does not mean that you have completed your degree requirements or that you will receive your diploma. Please verify with both your major advisor in your department and/or your general academic advisor to be certain that you have completed all of your degree requirements.

For additional information, please visit the Office of the Registrar's website.

Academic status

Please review your STARS Degree Audit in Academica and contact your academic advisor if you are unsure whether all your requirements have been met or if you have any questions. 

Ph.D./Ed.D. candidates

Ph.D. candidates, please contact the Graduate School Ph.D. Office at phdstudents@wayne.edu to confirm the exact requirements you need to complete to participate in commencement.

Ed.D. candidates, please contact the College of Education Graduate Advising Office at 313-577-1635 to confirm the exact requirements you must complete to participate in commencement.

Please check your WSU email for correspondence and messages from the Commencement Office.

Academic regalia

All graduates must wear academic regalia for their ceremony. Caps and gowns may be purchased at the Wayne State University Bookstore beginning Feb. 15. Bachelor, master and doctoral candidates may also order regalia online Feb. 15 through March 31.

Ph.D./Ed.D. candidates must place their rental order at the WSU Bookstore beginning March 1.

Prices will be announced by Feb. 1. If you are placing an online order, it is highly recommended that you order early to ensure that you receive your regalia on time.

For questions regarding caps and gowns, announcements, rings, or diploma frames, contact the bookstore at 313-577-2436.

Pricing

• Bachelor package (cap, gown, tassel) - $68.98
• Master package (cap, gown, tassel, hood) - $114.98
• Non-Ph.D./Ed.D. doctoral package (tam, gown, tassel, hood) - $206.98
• Ph.D./Ed.D. rental package (rental hood and gown, keeper tam) - $222.00

Doctoral degree candidates

Doctoral degree candidates (Pharm.D./Aud.D./DPT/DNP) wear regalia that may be purchased through the WSU Bookstore. The regalia includes a doctoral black gown, doctoral hood and tam. 

Ph.D./Ed.D degree candidates

Ph.D. and Ed.D. degree candidates wear regalia that must be rented through the WSU Bookstore. The regalia includes a custom Wayne State University gown, hood and tam. The graduate may keep the tam. 

The bookstore will inform Ph.D./Ed.D. degree candidates of the due date for all rented regalia. Please place orders as soon as possible to ensure timely delivery of regalia and avoid additional shipping charges.

Regalia may be purchased at the WSU Bookstore during normal business hours:

Monday through Thursday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

The bookstore accepts cash, check, credit card and OneCard for academic regalia. Please call the bookstore at 313-577-2436 with any questions you may have.

Tickets

Graduate Access Passes and guest tickets will be available through an online ticket ordering system. Eligible graduates will receive the ordering information and link in early April 2023. Please be sure to check your Wayne State email for details.

Graduate Access Pass

Graduates participating in commencement must have a Graduate Access Pass for admission to the Wayne State Fieldhouse.

Guest tickets

Tickets are required for all guests attending commencement. Each eligible student may receive four (4) guest tickets. Additional tickets are not available. Tickets must be presented for entry to the Wayne State Fieldhouse. All guests must have a ticket, no matter the age. Guests will not be admitted without a ticket. Guest seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note: Strollers, car seats and infant carriers are not allowed in the Wayne State Fieldhouse.

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation from Wayne State University! We look forward to seeing you in May.