Graduation is the official confirmation of the completion of all degree requirements, as maintained on your degree audit report, and is recorded on your official transcript, both of which are administered by the Registrar's Office. Degrees are posted for the term in which the student registers for the Graduation Workshop and successfully completes all coursework. Degrees are posted once per term, based upon the official academic calendar date assigned per university policy. For information related to graduation, see the Graduation page.
Commencement is a formal event, held twice annually (spring and fall), to celebrate and recognize the milestone of completing (or the anticipated completion of) a program or degree for a respective group of students. Participation in commencement is optional and does not confirm completion of degree requirements. Commencement activities (Commencement Expo, President’s Outstanding Student Awards, and Commencement) are facilitated by Student Life and Leadership Development.
The Fall 2026 Commencement Celebrations will be held December 14–16 in person in the Metro State Auditorium.
The Spring 2026 Commencement was held in person at Roy Wilkins Auditorium on Monday, May 4, 2026.
Commencement is a ticketed event. Graduates, however, do not need a ticket to enter into their ceremony.
Fall Commencement Celebration Schedule
The celebrations will be organized primarily by college, with multiple dates and times available. Please review the schedule below before selecting your preferred session. Registration will occur later (see below).
A note about the Wednesday, December 16 11 a.m. celebration: This session is primarily intended for graduates of the College of Liberal Arts, School of Urban Education, and College of Nursing and Health Sciences. However, it is open to graduates from all colleges if that date and time work best for you. If you are graduating from another college, please select a session designated for your college whenever possible.
Selecting Your Celebration
You will select your preferred December celebration or indicate your preference to participate in the full Spring 2027 Commencement ceremony through E-Services. This will be exactly like registering for a course. Watch the Commencement Workshop in D2L frequently for when registration becomes available.
Please work with your academic advisor to fill out the appropriate paperwork to ensure that you are able to register for the D2L Brightspace Graduation Workshop.
Once registered for the Graduation Requirements Workshop, WKSP GRAD, please complete the Commencement Participation Quiz to indicate your intention of participating in commencement. You will then be added to the Commencement Workshop, WKSP CMNC. Once you are enrolled in the Commencement Workshop, you are RSVP’d for Commencement
The deadline to request to participate in Fall 2026 Commencement is November 30, 2026, at noon. Students must be enrolled in the Commencement workshop by this date to participate in the ceremonies, as the ceremonies are pre-recorded for accessibility and production purposes.
To request to participate in Commencement, students may email student.life@metrostate.edu with their name, STAR ID, program, major, and college.
To ensure a safe and respectful experience for all:
All students are still subject to the student code of conduct as well. Thank you for helping us celebrate responsibly!
Virtual commencement will include captioning and ASL interpreting, and live commencement, should that take place, will include ASL interpreting.
For accessibility-related accommodations, contact: accessibility.resources@metrostate.edu.
Students can order their cap, gown, tassel, and other commencement-related items from Herff Jones at herff.ly/metrostate before November 30, 2026, to receive it before your Fall 2026 Commencement Ceremony.
If you have questions about academic regalia, including returns/exchanges, please contact gradmidwest@gmail.com and Herff Jones will help you with your questions/inquiries.
DOCTORAL STUDENTS—Regalia is only available on the website, it will not be available at the Expo. The last day to order your DOCTORAL Graduation Regalia online is Monday, November 30, 2026.
For any questions regarding the Commencement Expo, President's Outstanding Student Awards Reception, or Commencement Ceremonies, contact student.life@metrostate.edu.
Student Life and Leadership Development, the Registrar's Office, and many other departments partner closely to provide graduates with a memorable and positive experience as they complete their academic journeys at Metro State.
Commencement activities for undergraduate and graduate students include the Commencement Expo, President's Outstanding Student Awards Reception, and Commencement Ceremony.
Student Life and Leadership Development facilitates all Commencement events.
Each semester, academic units select one outstanding graduating student to be recognized as the President's Outstanding Student Awards Reception. Undergraduate students can be nominated by faculty, staff, other students, or self-nominate each semester. The President's Outstanding Student Awards reception is by invitation, and allows for each of the academic units to celebrate the academic and co-curricular achievements of the impeccable students at the university.
Graduating students (undergraduate and graduate) can self-nominate or communicate with their faculty or academic advisor for consideration to receive their college or school’s President’s Outstanding Student Award. The deadline for nomination will be available in the Commencement D2L workshop and on the Academic Calendar. For more information or questions regarding nomination and selection, please contact your academic college or school directly.
