Graduate Student Success

Your Graduation and Commencement Toolkit

Preparing to graduate this semester? This page is your hub for everything you need to know as you plan your final semester at UToledo!

Please note that this toolkit is intended for use by graduate students (graduate master's and doctoral students) only.

Select a topic to learn more! (What is the difference between graduation & commencement?)

 

Graduation

 

Applying for Graduation

The first step as you prepare to graduate is to apply for graduation. Applying to graduate is a required step to graduate and must be done as soon as possible. 

How Do I Apply for Graduation?

To apply to graduate, simply log into your MyUT Portal and navigate to your student tab. Under My Records, select Apply to Graduate. From there, you'll complete an online application in which you'll input information such as your last term of registration, your academic program you wish to apply to graduate from, your diploma mailing address, and any additional information.

How Can I Check If I Applied for Graduation?

You can review your graduation application by logging into your MyUT Portal. Select Student Profile under My Registration Steps. On the left hand menu, select View Application to Graduate. You will be able to view any graduation applications you have on file.

I Have to Delay My Graduation. What do I do?

If you have connected with your advsior/plan of study contact and confirmed you are not graduating this semester and must rescind your graduation application, you can email graduation@utoledo.edu to request for your application to be removed. Note: It is important that you only do this if you are certain you will not graduate; this cannot be undone. 

I Think I'm Going to Graduate This semester but I'm Worried I Might Have to Delay. Should I Still Apply?

Yes! Still go ahead and submit your graduation application. You can always request for the application to be removed if you are certain you will need to delay graduation by a semester. 


DEGREE CHECKLISTS

Searching for a degree checklist? Here are links to each of our checklists! Remember to always connect with your advisor/plan of study contact to determine whether or not additional requirements must be met within your department. 

 

Commencement

 

Commencement To-DO

You might be wondering what items you will need to check off as you prepare to cross the stage. We've got you covered! Remember, this only includes the items you will need to complete to prepare for the commencement ceremony and not your graduation (What's the difference?).

1. Apply for Graduation 

This applies for all who are graduating, but is an important step in preparing for commencement! Applying for graduation by the posted deadline ensures you receive all commencement-related communications from The College of Graduate Studies and Office of the Registrar. 

2. Keep an Eye on Your Rockets Email

Check your Rockets email regularly throughout the semester for important commencement updates and action items! 

3. Doctoral Candidates Only: Complete the Commencement Program Webform

All doctoral candidates who applied to graduate for Summer 2024 and Fall 2024 received an email from gradsuccess@utoledo.edu with a link to input their information for the commencement program booklet. The deadline for this form has passed.

4. Complete the MarchingOrder RSVP and Name Pronunciation Form

You'll receive an email from NoReply@MarchingOrder.com on behalf of Graduation@UToledo.edu with a link to complete your MarchingOrder RSVP and name pronunciation form. This form guarantees you guest tickets, captures your name (and hooder's name if you are a doctoral candidate) pronunciation to be played aloud during commencement, and displays your name and program (and hooder if you are a doctoral candidate) as you cross the stage! It is very important that you fill this out! 

5. Purchase Your Regalia

You must purchase regalia to participate in commencement. Learn more about where to purchase regalia and what your regalia will look like here! 

6. Review Commencement Website for Important Commencement Information

Have questions about parking, accessibility, and other important commencement day topics? Review commencement information posted for your ceremony here!

7. Pick Up Your Name Card

If you are participating in the Saturday, December 14th ceremony: If you filled out your MarchingOrder RSVP and name pronunciation form, you'll be issued a name card with a barcode that you will provide to a staff member to scan during commencement. This reads off your name and displays it on screen as you cross the stage. You can pick up your name card on the week of commencement and find information on pickup locations here

8. Celebrate!

You did it! Enjoy commencement day and be proud of your hard work and achievements. 


COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM WEBFORM (DOCTORAL ONLY)

Doctoral candidates, you'll need to fill out a webform from the College of Graduate Studies for your advisor, thesis/dissertation/scholarly project title, and previous institution information to be included in the booklet issued during commencement. Please ensure you apply to graduate by the deadline to be included in the commencement booklet, and you'll receive an email with the link to complete the webform from GradSuccess@UToledo.edu.


RSVPing for commencement

MarchingOrder RSVP form emails will be sent to all students who have applied to graduate.

You will receive an email from NoReply@MarchingOrder.com on behalf of Graduation@utoledo.edu! This email will include a link to access your MarchingOrder Account to enter name pronunciation information, review degree information, and submit your RSVP for the commencement ceremony. This form ensures your name, program, and hooder (for doctoral candidates) are displayed as you cross the stage, captures your name pronunciation, and guarantees the availability of guest tickets to you.

Even if you are not planning to participate in the commencement ceremony, we encourage you to indicate you will not be attending via MarchingOrder so you will not receive reminder notices. 

 

How can I check if I filled mine out?

When you fill out a MarchingOrder RSVP form, you will receive an email confirmation. Simply search "MarchingOrder" as one word in your email search bar and you will see the confirmation email if you have completed yours. This also works for locating the original email! 


Important commencement day information

College of Business master's degree graduates seated and smiling during commencement

Office of the Registrar Commencement Website

The Office of the Registrar's commencement website is where you'll find information on RSVPing for commencement, name card pickup, lineup, and other important day-of details.

Savage Arena during a commencement ceremony

University Commencement Website

The University Commencement website is where you'll find accessibility information, past commencement videos and programs, and more! 


Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between graduation and commencement?

Your graduation is the official awarding of your degree by The University of Toledo following completion of all degree requirements. Commencement is the ceremony during which you cross the stage and are recognized for your achievements. You are not cleared for graduation until following the commencement ceremony. Click here for a helpful graduation and commencement dictionary!

When do I receive my diploma?

Diplomas are mailed to the address indicated in the graduation application, usually within three weeks of a degree being officially awarded and posted to a transcript. Graduates can also order a digital diploma

I'm a Doctoral Candidate. Who Can be My hooder?

Most doctoral candidates opt to have their advisor hood them, but you can select anyone with a doctoral/terminal degree. We have seen doctoral candidates invite their family members, friends, and other members of their support system to hood them. More information on doctoral hooding can be found here! 

When will I get my guest tickets? Do I need to pick these up?

You'll receive your guest tickets closer to the commencement date via Rockets email. No need to pick these up! 

I'm a graduate. When should I arrive to commencement?

Please be sure to arrive 45 minutes ahead of the start time of your ceremony. Graduates are pre-seated, which means the procession of graduates will begin ahead of the ceremony start time. 

Questions? 

Let us know! We're happy to share more information about graduation and commencement with you. 

Please connect with us at gradsuccess@utoledo.edu or 419.530.4723 (Option 2)!

We are so excited to celebrate you this December, Rockets!

COBI master's graduates standing and smiling while wearing regalia

Questions About your Application?

Visit Stranahan Hall, Room 1048
Mailing address
The University of Toledo
College of Graduate Studies
2801 W. Bancroft, MS 933
Toledo, OH 43606

Questions About Your Degree Progress?

Visit University Hall, Room 3240
Last Updated: 10/24/24