2026 Commencement & Convocation Events

All degree-seeking students are required to submit a Graduation Application.

All students must submit the graduation application according to the following schedule:

Anticipated Graduation Month / Application Deadline

May  / March 1
August / June 1
January / November 1

After you submit your application, Wheelock Data & Enrollment Management Office and your academic advisor will:

• Review your grades and courses on the MyBU Student Portal to ensure that all incomplete or ungraded courses have been resolved.
• Check that an official transcript has been received by BU Wheelock for any approved transfer credit petitions.
• Consult with your Degree Progress Report or the BU Bulletin for the year you matriculated into your program to be sure all program requirements have been satisfied.

To check on the status of your graduation application, contact the Data & Enrollment Management Office.

In addition to submitting a Graduation Application, doctoral students must submit an approved dissertation to Mugar Library no later than two weeks before their graduation date to be eligible for graduation and to participate in BU Wheelock’s Convocation Ceremony.

The deadline to submit an approved dissertation is May 2, 2026.

All BU Wheelock students who are eligible for any of the graduations within the calendar year 2025-2026 are invited to attend and participate in the May 2025 Commencement weekend events. 

Examples: 

• • • Students who completed their program in Fall 2025
    • Students who complete their program in Spring 2026
    • Students who complete their program in Summer 2026 
      • If you are graduating in August 2026 and plan on participating in Commencement, please be sure to submit a graduation application by March 1.

Submit a Graduation Application now if you need to update your graduation date.

Students who have not settled their student account will not receive their diploma until the bill has been paid in full. Contact Student Accounts at 617-353-2264 to resolve any issues or visit Student Accounting Services. You can also check your student account on MyBU Student Portal.

If you plan to seek licensure, reach out to the Professional Preparation Office.

Candidates seeking licensure in Massachusetts cannot be endorsed by Boston University before their graduation date. PPO will submit your endorsement to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education within two weeks after your graduation date. If you need a letter of verification to secure employment or have a question about this process, reach out to PPO.

Order caps, gowns, and announcements through the BU Bookstore as soon as possible.

• It is highly recommended all orders are placed as soon as possible. The deadlines for ordering regalia are: 
  • Deadline information for regalia will be made available during early Spring 2026 semester.  

Diplomas will be automatically ordered once students fulfill the eligibility requirements. For more information, refer to the Diploma Order/Mailing Schedule.

Later in the semester, you will be prompted to complete the ‘Diploma Information’ Task on the MyBU Student portal, where you will enter how you would like your name to be displayed on your diploma, as well as your mailing address for it to be shipped to when it is printed. Learn more about the Dipoloma Information Task.

Diploma Eligibility Requirements:

• An official graduation status
• Provided a diploma name, mailing address and phone number.  
• As part of the admissions process, graduate students are required to submit a final copy of their official transcripts from their previous institution confirming that their previous degree was conferred. If you never submitted a final official transcript to the BU Wheelock Graduate Admissions Office, it is necessary that this be done before the Convocation ceremony. If you are unsure if you need to submit verification of your previous degree, please contact whegrad@bu.edu for assistance.  
• Settled all University financial obligations and have no University holds

Any questions regarding diploma mailing can be directed to diploma@bu.edu. 

ASL interpretation and closed captioning will be available at the BU Wheelock in-person ceremony. Requests for accessible parking, seating, and individual services may be submitted to the Commencement Disability and Access Services in early April. The deadline to submit the form is May 8.

Please direct questions to disability@bu.edu.

Each year, members of BU’s graduating class make a class gift to support future BU students and to give thanks for the many opportunities their BU education has provided. Learn more about senior class gifts.

Latin Honors are awarded to the top 30% of graduating seniors in each school or college. Graduate students are ineligible for Latin Honors.  For more information, visit the Office of the University Registrar’s website.