Eligibility
Pending academic advisor approval, students are eligible to participate in commencement at the end of the semester in which their degree requirements will be completed. Commencement is held at the end of the fall and spring semesters (December and May).
- Graduation staff will notify you if your advisor has determined you are not eligible to participate in commencement.
- Dual degree students are eligible to participate in one or both commencement ceremonies.
- Double major students are only eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony of their primary major.
- Students may not participate in more than one commencement ceremony for the same degree.
Summer Graduates
- Summer graduates who fully complete their degree in August, will participate in the fall (December) commencement ceremony immediately following their degree completion.
- Summer graduates who are within nine hours of degree completion in May, are eligible to participate in the spring (May) commencement ceremony even though they will not fully complete their degree until August.
- For more information about summer graduate qualifications, contact the Office of the Registrar at graduation@siue.edu.
International Graduates
- Due to international travel arrangements, international students are eligible to participate in commencement up to two years after their graduation term.
- For guests who live outside of the United States and need proof of a student’s graduation in order to receive permission to visit, students are able to compose a letter on their own with an attached academic certification document, which can be obtained from CougarNet.
- For further information about how to support family visiting on a tourist visa, please contact the Office of International Affairs.
- To confirm eligibility, please contact the Office of the Registrar.
Students must submit an application for graduation to be found eligible to participate in commencement.
Participation in a commencement ceremony does not guarantee your degree requirements have been completed.
For more information about eligibility, contact the Office of the Registrar at graduation@siue.edu.
Students who are eligible for graduation will receive updates and instructions from the commencement staff. All communication will be sent to SIUE email accounts, updated on the commencement website or SIUE social media channels.
