Commencement 2025

Join Chapman parents, students and alumni as we celebrate the class of 2025 on May 23 - 25, 2025

Commencement Schedule

May 23 – 25, 2025

Friday, May 23

Time Event Duration
10 a.m. Fowler School of Law Degree Ceremony                                90 minutes
12:30 p.m. School of Pharmacy Degree Ceremony 90 minutes
7 p.m. University Commencement Ceremony 75 minutes
8:45 p.m. President’s Toast 45 minutes

Saturday, May 24

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  50 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 135 minutes

Sunday, May 25

Time Event Duration
8 a.m. Crean College Degree Ceremony                                                             105 minutes
11:30 a.m. School of Communication Degree Ceremony 90 minutes
3 p.m. College of Performing Arts Degree Ceremony 60 minutes
5 p.m. Wilkinson College Degree Ceremony  75 minutes

How to participate in Commencement

Step 1: Apply for Graduation/Degree Conferral

Deadline to apply for graduation/degree conferral for May 2025 Commencement is January 15, 2025

 

Undergraduate Students

  • Bachelor’s Degree completed and conferred: Have met all degree requirements prior to the 2025 spring semester and have been conferred in August 2024 or January 2025.
  • Bachelor’s Degree yet to be completed: Students who are of senior standing and have completed 90 credits or more by interterm 2025 may participate in the May 2025 Commencement Ceremonies. An application for degree conferral must be on file no later than April 15, 2025. 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 2025 spring semester and have been conferred in August 2024 or January 2025.
  • Master’s or Doctoral Degree to be completed in May 2025: Have filed an application for degree conferral for May 2025 by the preferred application deadline of January 15, 2025 and have completed or are pending completion of all degree requirements by the end of the 2025 spring semester. Graduate students must pass any required comprehensive examinations in the 2025 spring semester.
  • Walk Short of Completion of Credits: Have applied for degree conferral with an August 2025 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 for a Ceremony

Eligible Graduates will be sent a link to their Chapman student email account to RSVP for an assigned ceremony based on their major.

Graduates must have applied for degree conferral in order to receive the link to RSVP.

RSVPs open on February 25. 

Step 3: Reserve Guest Tickets for University Commencement Ceremony

Guest tickets are required for the Friday evening University Commencement Ceremony.

Students can reserve up to 6 guest tickets through Chapman Ticketing. Ticket reservations will open on February 25. 

Step 4: Order Cap & Gown

Regalia will be available for purchase beginning at Graduation Fair.

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 5: Print your Commencement GradPass

You will need your Commencement GradPass in order to participate in a degree ceremony.

GradPasses will be emailed to students’ chapman email accounts. Please carefully review your GradPass to ensure all information is correct. 

If you have trouble accessing your GradPass please contact the Office of the Registrar at conferral@chapman.edu.

Step 6: Arrive 45 Minutes Before your Ceremony Start Time

Student Lineup 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.

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.