Graduation Timelines and Early Participation Application for May 2025
Elizabethtown College celebrates the achievement of its graduates through an annual commencement ceremony, held in May. All degree-seeking students are invited and encouraged to participate. Students completing a Graduate Certificate are not eligible to participate in commencement. Graduates awarded their degrees in the previous summer (August) and fall (December) along with our currently enrolled candidates for degree completion this spring (May) are recognized at this ceremony.
Application for Graduation
Students anticipating completion of all degree requirements must submit an Application for Graduation during their final semeter by deadlines outlined below.
Application Deadlines
1. Deadline for May Graduation: April 1
2. Deadline for August Graduation and Early Participation* in May Commencement: April 1
3. Deadline for August Graduation and not participating early in Commencement: June 1
4. Deadline for December Graduation: October 1
* See additional information below.
Graduation Timelines
December Graduation
Students must complete all degree requirements by the end of the fall semester, prior to December conferral date. Any student enrolled in the winter-term will officially graduate in May. Students earning their degree in December will be invited to walk at Commencement in May, provided the student was not previously an early participant in a prior graduation ceremony.
May Graduation (Commencement)
Students must complete all degree requirements by the end of the spring semester ( or have formal early participation approval), prior to May conferral date.
Early Participation. Students that plan to complete their degree requirements over the summer may petition to seek approval to walk as an early participant in Commencement to be recognized as a "member of the class." Students approved for early participation are NOT graduates and they must meet policy minimums for approval to walk as a member of the class. Early Participation Application requests should be submitted to the Office of Registration and Records on or before April 1st. Graduate certificate programs are not degreed programs, therefore, students seeking post-graduate certificates do not participate in commencement.
Early Participation Application Any questions about participation status should be sent to regandrec@etown.edu .
Ticket information will be available at etown.edu/commencement.
Commencement Participation Confirmation - Yes or No is Requested
For all information relating to Commencement, and how to order cap and gowns, please visit the College's Commencement webpage .
August Graduation
Students must complete all degree requirements by the end of the summer session, prior to August conferral/graduation date. Students earning their degree in August will be invited to walk at Commencement in May following degree conferral, provided the student was not previously an early participant in a prior graduation ceremony.