Commencement & Graduation
Mark Your Calendars
Penn GSE Commencement
When: Saturday, May 16th, 2026, at 9:00AM/ET
Where: The Palestra
Penn GSE 2026 Doctoral Hooding
When: Friday, May 15th, 2026, at 3:30PM/ET
Where: Annenberg Center, Zellerbach Theatre
The University of Pennsyvlania's Commencement Ceremony*
When: Monday, May 18th, 2026, at 8:30 AM ET
Where: Franklin Field
*Penn GSE has no control over the Penn-wide commencement ceremony or requirements.
About Penn GSE Commencement and Graduation
Penn GSE Commencement and Graduation are two separate processes, and have different eligibility and registration requirements.
Penn GSE Commencement*
The celebratory ceremony that recognizes your academic achievements. During this event, you may walk across the stage and be acknowledged for your progress in the program. Participation in commencement is optional, and you can participate even if you have not yet completed all degree requirements. Attending or not attending commencement does not affect your official graduation status.
*Only students graduating (or expecting to graduate) in Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026 & Summer 2026 are eligible to participate in the 2026 May GSE Commencement Ceremony.
Graduation / Degree Conferral
Graduation, also known as degree conferral, is the formal completion of your academic program. To officially graduate, you must apply for graduation through the university and submit a graduation application by the deadlines listed in the GSE Academic Calendar. Degree conferral is contingent upon the successful completion of all program requirements. Participation in commencement does not automatically result in degree conferral.
Participation in Penn GSE Commencement Ceremonies
Eligibility to Participate
Commencement Eligibility
GSE holds one commencement ceremony each year in May for students who will be receiving their degrees in that academic year’s fall, spring, or summer term (e.g. For Academic Year 2025-2026, Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026 graduates are eligible to walk in the May 2026 GSE commencement ceremony).
Doctoral Hooding Eligibility
For the Doctoral Hooding ceremony, doctoral graduates need to both be eligible for commencement and have submitted their form to schedule a final defense before the date of the ceremony to be able to participate. (e.g., For Academic Year 2025-2026, Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026 doctoral graduates who submit their form to schedule their final defense before May 15th, 2026 are eligible to participate in the May 2026 Doctoral Hooding ceremony).
In the Doctoral Hooding ceremony, the student's dissertation committee chair may hood them as a symbolic celebration of their degree completion. In scenarios where the committee chair is unavailable, another member of the student's committee may hood the student. If neither the committee chair nor other committee member is available, the program director may also hood the student. Note: in unique circumstances, GSE may allow the student to elect an immediate family member to hood them if this person is current or emeritus faculty of the University of Pennsylvania.
Registration
Students will register to participate in either, or both, of the ceremonies via a registration form sent to their Penn emails from Tassel.
Deadline: You must register to attend by April 19th, 2026. You will not be allowed to participate in the ceremony without registration.
More detailed information will be sent to all students’ Penn emails.
Guest Policy
For the Doctoral Hooding and Commencement, there are no tickets required for guests, and no limit on the number of guests you may invite.
International guests: For guests traveling from outside the US you may need a travel support letter. Visit the ISSS website for a template you can use for the letter.
Looking for answers to your questions? View our Additional FAQs.
Diplomas
Penn diplomas have been printed in Latin since 1757 and measure 9 5/8" x 12 1/4".
Diplomas are issued three times a year and mailed 8–10 weeks after the degree conferral date (the date you officially complete and fulfill all your program requirements).
Expected Diploma Mailing Dates
May Graduates: Mailed in late July
August Graduates: Mailed in mid-October
December Graduates: Mailed in mid-March
*Note: The expected mailing dates are an approximate timeline. The arrival of the diploma can be advanced/delayed depending on external factors. Additionally, the diploma will be mailed to the address you provide in your Graduation Application form.
To receive your diploma, you must be in good financial standing with the institution, i.e., all your bills and educational debts with the university should be resolved. You can confirm your degree status by reviewing your Unofficial Transcript on Path@Penn. If it has not been posted, please contact your academic advisor or program manager.
For more information, please visit the University's main Diploma webpage and the FAQ page.
GSE Email Account & Penncard
Your Penn email account remains available for two months after graduation. You will receive a notification in advance of the account being deleted.
As a Penn alum, you are eligible for an Alumni Quaker Gmail account with an address of @alumni.upenn.edu. Learn more and sign up for an Alumni Quaker Gmail account.
If you have additional questions, please submit an IT ticket here.
Additional FAQs
When can I apply to graduate?
Students should refer to the GSE Academic Calendar, but the 2026 application periods are:
|
Date (2026) |
Information |
|---|---|
| February 4 | May 2026 graduation applications open |
| April 15 | May 2026 graduation applications close |
| June 18 | August 2026 graduation applications open |
| July 20 | August 2026 graduation applications close |
How many guests can I bring?
There is no limit on the number of guests you may bring. GSE Commencement does not require guest tickets.
Guests traveling from outside the US may need a travel support letter. You can use this template for the letter.
Will there be a link to watch Commencement online?
Yes! You can watch captioned live streams of Penn GSE's Commencement ceremony on the Penn GSE YouTube channel. Visit this link and click on the "Live" tab to access the streams. Recordings of the streams will be available in the channel's Commencements & Graduation playlist afterward.
Can I attend the ceremony online?
No. Commencement is an in-person event. However, a livestream will be available for those unable to attend.
Where can I purchase my regalia?
- Regalia can be purchased at the Penn Bookstore.
- Regalia is required to participate in Commencement.
- GSE Student Government offers a limited, needs-based, first-come-first-served regalia rental option. Students should have received an email from them at gsesg@gse.upenn.edu.
Still Have Questions?
Feel free to contact gse-commencement@gse.upenn.edu or Suditi Sundaram, the Assistant Director of Student Success, at suditis@upenn.edu.
