• American University is committed to providing every graduate with an exceptional commencement experience. Bringing each academic year's graduating class together during one spring commencement season allows the university to build even stronger traditions, enhance programming, and create a larger shared celebration for graduates and their guests.
• Graduates can also look forward to an expanded commencement week with additional opportunities to celebrate alongside classmates, faculty, family, and friends. We will be actively partnering with students, faculty, and staff to bring this vision to life.

Although people often use the terms interchangeably, graduation and commencement mark two different milestones: 

• Graduation is an academic milestone. Once you’ve completed your degree requirements, your degree is awarded and posted to your academic record. Graduation is an administrative and academic process.  
• Commencement is a celebration of the academic milesone. It is the ceremony where graduates are recognized, cross the stage, and celebrate with family, friends, faculty, and classmates. Participating in commencement is optional and does not affect the awarding of your degree—nor does it imply an obligation on the part of the university to award a degree before all requirements have been met and certified. Attending commencement is not required to graduate. 

No. Students will still apply to graduate, have degrees posted to their transcripts, and have diplomas ordered as they complete their academic requirements each fall, spring, and summer term.

Yes. Your official transcript and degree conferral date remain unchanged and reflect when your degree requirements were completed. 

• Students who are marked eligible for commencement during the academic year—including summer, fall, and spring graduates—are eligible to participate in the spring commencement ceremonies.
• Graduates are eligible to participate in the spring commencement season for the academic year in which they graduate. For example, students graduating in summer 2027, fall 2027, or spring 2028 will all celebrate together during spring 2028 commencement. This includes the following terms: summer (X), fall (F), spring (S). 

No.If you graduate during the summer or fall semester, you’ll automatically be eligible to participate in the following spring commencement ceremonies. 

No. The transition to a single annual commencement season does not affect Latin Honors cords. Eligible graduates will continue to receive and wear their Latin Honors cords at commencement.

Yes. Graduates participating in commencement are required to wear official commencement regalia (except active-duty military members wearing approved dress uniform). Information on ordering regalia will be shared with eligible graduates. 

Graduates will begin receiving information about ordering regalia and other commencement details during the spring semester following the completion of their degree requirements. 

Information will be emailed and provided on the commencement website. 

Students who wish to participate in a ceremony other than the one that corresponds with their planned graduation date must work with their advisor to complete a walk exception form, which must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and dean (or their designee). 

Participation in commencement is optional. If you choose not to attend, no action is required. 

• Summer and fall graduates may participate in the following spring commencement. Your commencement eligibility is separate from your U.S. immigration status not Commencement ceremony participation.
• To remain in the United States after your degree completion, you must continue to have a valid immigration status or authorized post-completion activity, such as OPT, STEM OPT, or Academic Training.

No.Your immigration status is based on your academic program completion date and any authorized post-completion activity as reflected in your I-20 or DS-2019, not the commencement ceremony date. Students may remain in the U.S. during their grace period but not beyond that unless they have another valid immigration status or authorization.

ISSS cannot extend an I-20 or DS-2019 solely so a student can remain in the United States to attend their commencement ceremony.

The new federal rule generally establishes fixed periods of admission for F and J students rather than Duration of Status (D/S). Your authorized stay may depend on your I-94, program end date, travel history, and post-completion activity. The spring commencement ceremony date does not extend your authorized stay.

Students should review current ISSS guidance for the rules that apply to their situation.

No. Immigration deadlines remain tied to the program completion date, not the commencement ceremony. Follow current ISSS instructions and immigration deadlines when applying for OPT, STEM OPT, or Academic Training.

No. Your degree conferral and immigration program completion dates remain based on when you complete your academic requirements. 

• Your ability to return depends on your immigration status and circumstances at the time of travel.
• Students who are no longer eligible to enter in F-1 or J-1 status may need another appropriate immigration classification to return for commencement.

• A valid visa alone does not establish eligibility to enter the United States in F-1 or J-1 status.
• Students should review their individual circumstances with ISSS before making international travel plans.

Yes. Graduates may request a commencement verification letter from the Registrar’s Office for themselves or their guests. The letter may support a visa application but does not guarantee visa issuance or admission to the United States.

• Participation in commencement is optional and does not affect degree completion.
• Students with immigration questions should contact ISSS. Students seeking to participate in a different ceremony should follow the university’s commencement exception process.