Graduation Timelines and Early Participation Application
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. Degree-seeking students who completed ALL graduation requirements in the previous summer (August degree conferral), fall (December degree conferral) or current spring (May degree conferral) 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: March 1
2. Deadline for August Graduation and Early Participation* in May Commencement: March 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 have their degree conferred 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
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. Seniors, who are not actually graduating, 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 February 1st, but we will accept any forms prior to graduation. 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 . We have received reports that the JayWeb electronic form is resulting in an error on submission. If this is the case, you may submit a paper Early Participation Application Form available in our office or through email.
Tickets become available for pickup in the Office of Registration and Records, Zug Memorial Hall 210, on Monday May 1, 2023.
Weekday, Hours of Operation: 8am until 4:30 pm
Extended Evening Hours are available on Wednesday, May 3th from 4:30 to 7:30pm
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 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.