Frequently Asked Questions

Students will be able to submit a picture to be shown during the virtual ceremony. To be recognized as part of the Virtual Winter Commencement ceremonies (with or without a photo), please submit this short participation form by Tuesday, December 1, at 11:59 p.m. Also, look for an email from your academic college about an in-person celebration. 

Only caps and gowns that have not been worn or have been out of the packaging can be returned to the vendor. For questions, please contact Tim Sharbaugh at timshar@iup.edu.

Also part of academic regalia, honor cords (Philanthropy, Education Abroad, Regional Campus, Lavender, and Red, White, and Blue cords) will be mailed to graduating students.

Honors medallions have been mailed to first baccalaureate students who had applied for Winter 2020 graduation and have a 3.25 or higher overall undergraduate GPA before the last term completed. The medallions were mailed to the diploma mailing address designated by students when they applied for graduation.

December graduates who achieve a 3.25 GPA or higher after fall grades are finalized will have their medallion mailed to their diploma mailing address once their degree has been posted.

January graduates with a 3.25 GPA or higher after fall grades are finalized will have their medallions mailed to them by the end of February. Those achieving a 3.25 GPA or higher after winter grades are final will have their medallion mailed to their diploma mailing address once their degree has been posted.

Apply for graduation by clicking on the Academics tab via MyIUP, then going to “Academic Record” and choosing Apply for Undergraduate Graduation.

Deadlines to Apply

Undergraduate

• May graduation: Must apply by November 15
• August graduation: Must apply by April 1
• December graduation: Must apply by April 1
• January graduation: Must apply by December 1

Graduate

• May graduation: Must apply by April 30
• August graduation: Must apply by July 31
• December graduation: Must apply by November 30
• January graduation: Must apply by December 31

• May: Students who will graduate at the end of spring, or the summer term directly following the spring term.
• December: Students who will graduate at the end of fall, or the winter term directly following the fall term.

• Ensure your eligibility by reviewing Degree Works.
• Confirm your eligibility with your advisor in your college.

Diplomas are mailed two to six weeks after the last term of attendance.

December 2020 and January 2021 graduates will be honored in a virtual ceremony on December 12. The ceremony will be posted on the Commencement website at 10:00 a.m. for graduates and families to view.

Typically, ceremonies last approximately two hours, depending on the size of the graduating class.

As the December 12 commencement ceremonies are now virtual, tickets are not required.

The virtual Winter ceremony will be posted on the IUP website on December 12 at 10:00 a.m.

Normally, the Winter Commencement ceremonies are as follows:

• The Graduate Master’s and Doctoral Ceremony takes place at 9:30 a.m. In Fisher Auditorium.
• The Undergraduate Ceremony takes place at 1:00 p.m. at the KCAC.

Normally, there are separate ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate students at May Commencement.

Normally, yes. However, as the December 12 commencement ceremonies are now virtual, confirmation of attendance is not required.

December 2020 and January 2021 graduates will be honored in a virtual ceremony on December 12. The ceremony will be posted on the Commencement website at 10:00 a.m. for graduates and families to view.

December 2020 and January 2021 graduates will be honored in a virtual ceremony on December 12. The ceremony will be posted on the Commencement website at 10:00 a.m. for graduates and families to view.

No, there is no rehearsal.

Normally, there are departmental recognition events held in May in addition to the university commencement ceremony.

December 2020 and January 2021 graduates will be honored in a virtual ceremony on December 12. 

December 2020 and January 2021 graduates will be honored in a virtual ceremony on December 12. The ceremony will be posted on the Commencement website at 10:00 a.m. for graduates and families to view.

December 2020 and January 2021 graduates will be honored in a virtual ceremony on December 12. The ceremony will be posted on the Commencement website at 10:00 a.m. for graduates and families to view.

December 2020 and January 2021 graduates will be honored in a virtual ceremony on December 12. The ceremony will be posted on the Commencement website at 10:00 a.m. for graduates and families to view.

December 2020 and January 2021 graduates will be honored in a virtual ceremony on December 12. The ceremony will be posted on the Commencement website at 10:00 a.m. for graduates and families to view.

Yes, parking is free at the KCAC on the day of the commencement ceremony!

Yes, the KCAC is accessible. Please visit the KCAC website for more details.

December 2020 and January 2021 graduates will be honored in a virtual ceremony on December 12. The ceremony will be posted on the Commencement website at 10:00 a.m. for graduates and families to view.

Traditional Latin honors are awarded at graduation to first bachelor’s degree candidates with appropriate academic records. Calculation is based on all undergraduate credits and quality points earned at IUP. Graduation honors are not granted for second (subsequent) degrees. The distinctions are:

• Cum laude: 3.25 to 3.49 cumulative GPA

• Magna cum laude: 3.50 to 3.74 cumulative GPA

• Summa cum laude: 3.75 to 4.00 cumulative GPA

Honors medallions are awarded based on the GPA of the last term completed.

December 2020 and January 2021 graduates will be honored in a virtual ceremony on December 12. The ceremony will be posted on the Commencement website at 10:00 a.m. for graduates and families to view.

Caps and gowns can be pre-ordered online, or by following the link on the Co-op Store website. Here is more information about caps, gowns, announcement, and more.

Normally, yes. Winter commencement ceremonies will be offered in a virtual format on December 12.

Before candidates receive their degrees, the tassel is worn on the right side of the cap. After the conferral of the degree, the tassel is moved to the left side.

Winter commencement ceremonies will be offered in a virtual format on December 12.

Diplomas will be mailed within two to six weeks after the ceremony. Diploma covers are given at the ceremony. If you do not attend the ceremony, a diploma cover may be purchased at the Co-op Store.

• Check your Junk Mail. The anti-spam in the current IUP email environment will aid in identifying and handling messages that may be spam. With any anti-spam utility, there is a risk that some legitimate email messages will be flagged as spam.
• Is your IUP email box full? It is the responsibility of email users to monitor, read, and use their IUP email account. If your account is full, you will not receive intended messages.

Yes, but you will not receive your diploma, so it is pertinent to take care of these holds ASAP.

December 2020 and January 2021 graduates will be honored in a virtual ceremony on December 12. The ceremony will be posted on the Commencement website at 10:00 a.m. for graduates and families to view.

Faculty planning to participate in the academic processions at Commencement are reminded that the deadline for ordering rental regalia at the Co-Op Store is April 24. Faculty can stop in or call the Co-Op Store. Cost sheets, info packets, and rental information are available and should be taken care of on or before April 24 to receive regalia for graduation.