Commencement Schedule
May 22 – 24, 2026
Friday, May 22
| Time | Event | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 10 a.m. | Fowler School of Law Degree Ceremony | 90 minutes |
| 12:30 p.m. | School of Pharmacy Degree Ceremony | 75 minutes |
| 7 p.m. | University Commencement Ceremony | 75 minutes |
| 8:35 p.m. | President’s Toast | 45 minutes |
Saturday, May 23
| Time | Event | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 8 a.m. | Argyros College of Business and Economics Degree Ceremony | 150 minutes |
| 11:30 a.m. | Fowler School of Engineering Degree Ceremony | 70 minutes |
| 3 p.m. | Schmid College Degree Ceremony | 60 minutes |
| 5 p.m. | Attallah College Degree Ceremony | 75 minutes |
| 7:30 p.m. | Dodge College Degree Ceremony | 140 minutes |
Sunday, May 24
| Time | Event | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 8 a.m. | Crean College Degree Ceremony | 125 minutes |
| 11:30 a.m. | School of Communication Degree Ceremony | 75 minutes |
| 3 p.m. | College of Performing Arts Degree Ceremony | 60 minutes |
| 5 p.m. | Wilkinson College Degree Ceremony | 90 minutes |
How to participate in Commencement Weekend
Step 1: Apply for Graduation/Degree Conferral
Deadline to apply for graduation/degree conferral for May 2026 Commencement is January 15, 2026
Undergraduate Students
- Bachelor’s Degree completed and conferred: Have met all degree requirements prior to the 2026 spring semester and have been conferred in August 2025 or January 2026.
- Bachelor’s Degree yet to be completed: Students who are of senior standing and have completed 90 credits or more by interterm 2026 may participate in the May 2026 Commencement Ceremonies. An application for degree conferral must be on file no later than April 15, 2026. Petitions for exceptions to this policy will not be accepted.
Graduate Students
- Master’s or Doctoral Degree completed and conferred: Have met all degree requirements prior to the 2026 spring semester and have been conferred in August 2025 or January 2026.
- Master’s or Doctoral Degree to be completed in May 2026: Have filed an application for degree conferral for May 2026 by the preferred application deadline of January 15, 2026 and have completed or are pending completion of all degree requirements by the end of the 2026 spring semester. Graduate students must pass any required comprehensive examinations in the 2026 spring semester.
- Walk Short of Completion of Credits: Have applied for degree conferral with an August 2026 conferral date, and by the end of the spring semester have only the degree requirements remaining.
Questions regarding degree conferral? Please contact the Office of the Registrar at conferral@chapman.edu.
Step 2: RSVP
Graduates must have applied for degree conferral in order to receive the link to RSVP.
RSVPs open on February 24 and must be submitted by April 15.
Tickets for all ceremonies will be distributed based on students’ RSVP information in Tassel. Digital tickets will be emailed to graduates the week before Commencement.
Step 3: Purchase Cap & Gown
Students who do not purchase their cap and gown at Graduation Fair can purchase online, or in-person at the Agora Gift Shop in Argyros Forum.
*Pharmacy and Law Students – check with your department for regalia instructions
Step 4: Print your Degree Ceremony StagePass
StagePasses will be emailed to students’ chapman email accounts. Please carefully review your StagePass to ensure all information is correct.
If you have trouble accessing your StagePass please contact the Office of the Registrar at conferral@chapman.edu.
Step 5: Arrive 45 Minutes Before your Ceremony Start Time
Student Lineup will take place outside the McCardle Gate, closest to the Residence Halls. Please arrive at 6 p.m. in your cap and gown to lineup for the University Commencement Ceremony.
Degree Ceremony:
Student Lineup for Degree Ceremonies will take place in Hutton Gym. Students must arrive in their caps and gowns 45 minutes before their ceremony start time to line up.
Students will be lined up by Degree (i.e. BA, BS, MA, etc.) based on time of arrival. If you would like to sit with friends, please arrive together.
Commencement Resources
Regalia, Honor Cords, Stoles, Announcements and more can be found here.
Questions?
Families and Guests
We hope you are able to join your graduate as they celebrate this momentous occasion in their academic career. Below you will find some information and resources to help you get the most out of this very special occasion.
Faculty
Commencement is fast approaching and we look forward to your participation in this very special weekend for the Chapman community, graduating students, their families, and friends. Please take a moment to review important faculty instructions regarding the weekend’s festivities.
Celebrate on Social!
Be sure to use #ChapmanU on all of your celebratory social posts to be featured.