Commencement Information

The Blacksburg Fall 2009 Graduate Commencement Ceremony will be held at 3:00pm on December 18, 2009, in Cassell Coliseum. The event will be broadcast live on Virginia Tech cable channel 4 beginning at 2:45p.

A DVD of the graduate ceremony can be ordered through the VT Bookstore for a limited time following the ceremony. Look for it in the graduation section.

Graduation photographs are scheduled for Thursday, December 17, on the second floor of the Career Services Building from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Graduates should wear their own cap and gown. You may wear as many accoutrements as you wish for the portrait sitting to includes stoles, honors cords, sashes, etc. Although a professional photographer has been commissioned, you will not be required to purchase photos. No appointment is needed.

Application for Degree (AFD)
Diplomas
Participation in Commencement
Guests and Seating
Degree Conferring Dates
Future Master's and Doctoral Commencement Ceremony Dates
How to Select the Proper Hood Color

Application for Degree (AFD)

Graduation and the commencement ceremony is a long awaited and joyous time for students, families, and friends. To participate, it is important that in addition to taking your final exam and, if required, submitting your final paper, thesis, or dissertation that you submit an Application for Degree (AFD) through Hokie Spa. Once your application for degree is submitted by the below deadline, two very important things happen. Your name will appear in the commencement bulletin and your diploma will be ordered. In the event that you do not graduate in the expected term, you must submit a new AFD for the new term in which you plan to graduate.

The Application for Degree must be submitted by the following deadlines:

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Diplomas

Doctoral candidates will receive diplomas on stage.
Masters degrees will be mailed.
Diplomas are 11 inches by 14 inches with the exception of BMES and BMVS diplomas, which are 13.5 inches by 15.5 inches.

Participation in Commencement

Doctoral candidates must complete all requirements for graduation by the published deadline in order to participate in the Commencement doctoral hooding ceremony. This includes submission of the AFD, submission of the Dissertation Approval Form, survey of earned doctorates, payment of graduation fees, submission of the dissertation, and approval of the dissertation by the Graduate School.

Master's students nearing completion are allowed to participate in commencement.

There is no limit to the number of guests that you may invite, and no tickets are required for this ceremony. Formal commencement invitations are not provided due to budget constraints. Individuals who wish to send personalized invitations for their guests can order them at most local print shops and bookstores. International students must fill out an Invitation Form for any out of country visitors they would like to invite.

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Guests and Seating

Families and guests are urged to arrive in time to be seated at least 15 minutes before the ceremony begins. Security procedures will subject all packages, bags, purses, and so on, to search prior to entry to the coliseum. Please avoid bringing such items to the coliseum.

Accessible seating for persons with impaired mobility is available at Cassell Coliseum, as is accessible parking. A sign language interpreter will be provided for the University and Graduate School ceremonies. Interpreters for individual college ceremonies are arranged by request with a two-week notice through the office of Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD). For additional information concerning accessibility, wheelchair seating, and disability accommodations, contact SSD at www.ssd.vt.edu or call 540/231-0858 or TTY 540/231-0853. “Special Needs” (impaired mobility) parking passes are available (not required if you have a state-issued DMV handicap tag) for pickup by students at 250 South Main Street, Suite 300, prior to the commencement ceremony.

Lodging for guests: In an effort to provide convenient, low-cost accommodations, the Conference and Guest Services division of Student Affairs is pleased to provide residence hall space for families and guests of graduates. Advance reservations are required, and full payment is due at the time reservations are made.

For more information visit www.commencement.studentprograms.vt.edu

Degree-Conferring Dates

In addition to the traditional twice-a-year commencement, two additional "Degree-Conferring Dates" have been established each year. These dates appear on the diploma for qualified graduates. The added degree-conferring dates fall on the last day of final examinations of First Summer Term and Second Summer Term. For a full list of Degree-Conferring Dates, see our Dates & Deadlines page. No commencement ceremonies are conducted during the summer. Students who complete degree requirements at these times may attend the next commencement, but they are requested to notify the Graduate School. All degrees conferred between commencements are listed in the commencement program.

Diplomas for graduates will be mailed directly to the student. For information on how to change the name that will appear on your diploma, see the Name Change Instructions page.

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Future Master's and Doctoral Commencement Ceremony Dates

How to Select the Proper Hood Color
The colors for the edging of hoods for master's students are determined by the college and discipline granting the degree, as listed in the table below. The tassels of caps for Master's students are black.

The hoods for the Doctor of Philosophy will be edged with dark blue. Doctoral gowns are faced with black velvet with three bars across the sleeves. Tassels for doctoral students are gold.

For more information on academic regalia, please contact the Virginia Tech Bookstore .

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