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Looking up towards the stage behind graduates who are seated for a Commencement Ceremony.

Information for Graduates

Commencement marks an important milestone—one that recognizes your hard work, growth, and the journey that brought you here. As you prepare to celebrate this achievement and step confidently into what’s next, Drake University provides the details and guidance to help you get ready for the commencement ceremony.

Information for Graduates

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Here you’ll find key dates and deadlines, next steps to complete along the way, information on ordering caps and gowns, and what to expect as commencement approaches—so you can focus on celebrating all you’ve accomplished and the future ahead.

Important Dates & Deadlines

  • Apply for Graduation: January 2027
  • Commencement Questionnaires are sent: Late February 2027
  • Commencement Questionnaires are due: March 1, 2027
  • Order Regalia (caps, tassels, gowns, hoods, etc.): March 2027
  • Commencement Program Draft Review: May 1, 2027
  • Commencement Ceremony: May TBD, 2027
  • Degrees Awarded and Diplomas will be sent: June—July 2027

Before the Ceremony

How to Apply for Graduation

Students should be applying for graduation in January of the year they intend to graduate.

The graduation application may be accessed via the following steps:

  1. Log into my.drake.edu
  2. Go to Self Service, select the Student Record card, then select Student Profile.
  3. Click on Apply to Graduate in the left navigation window.

Please note: for students in the Zimpleman College of Business, the graduation application is separate from your graduation agreement.

Eligibility

Any student who has earned a degree and has not participated in a previous Drake Commencement ceremony for that degree is encouraged to participate. Don't meet eligibility guidelines? Find appeal options below.

Students who do not meet eligibility guidelines may request to participate by submitting the online Commencement Participation Appeal Form at least 45 days before the ceremony. The Provost will review the appeal and may consult with Deans or Commencement officials before making a final decision.

The following are the criteria for considering ceremony participation on the exception basis for students with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

The student must meet one of the following:

  1. The student has only the student teaching requirement remaining to be completed during the upcoming fall semester, OR
  2. The student is enrolled in a university partnership program (i.e., Washington University), OR
  3. The student can document a serious hardship associated with participation in the commencement ceremony (i.e. documented illness, visa expiration, religious observance, etc.) on the day established.

Applying for Graduation FAQ's

When applying for graduation, be sure to list all degrees, majors, minors, and concentrations on your application. Students earning more than one degree must indicate each degree they plan to receive so records can be reviewed and processed correctly.

If you have questions about how to list your degrees or want to confirm your selections, connect with your advisor or college/school office before submitting your application.

Students are responsible for reviewing their academic program to confirm that all degree requirements are complete. Checking your unofficial transcript in myDrake is a helpful way to review progress and ensure your records are accurate.

If you have questions about your requirements or notice anything that needs clarification, connect with your academic advisor and your college or school dean’s office well before commencement to allow time for review and verification.

Yes. Students who plan to participate in the commencement ceremony should be registered for any required spring or summer coursework needed to complete their degree. Exceptions are only granted by the dean of your college or school.

Once all degree requirements are completed and verified, the Office of the Registrar will mail the diploma with the appropriate graduation date. To receive the graduation date you applied for, all requirements must be completed and verified within 45 days of the last day of finals; otherwise, the degree will be posted with the next official graduation date.

Preparing for the Ceremony

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RSVP to Commencement

Students who have met all graduation requirements and have submitted an application for graduation will receive a link to the Commencement Questionnaire, via email, in early February. You are required to complete this form if you intend to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Students standing in the Knapp Center before Commencement with their regalia on

Caps, Gowns, and Attire

Academic attire is required for the commencement ceremony. Please note there are specific gowns and hoods for certain degrees, so borrowing from a friend or relative will not work unless it meets the exact requirements for your degree.

Stacks of Commencement Programs

Commencement Program Draft

In late March, students will receive an email with instructions on how to review a draft of the commencement program to verify that all information is accurate before it goes to print.

Students at a Drake University Commencement Ceremony with Honors cords on.

Honors

Academic honors at commencement recognize graduates whose dedication and achievement set them apart. Eligible students are acknowledged during the ceremony and in official commencement materials, celebrating the hard work that helped shape their Drake journey.

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Loan Exit Interviews

If you have borrowed a Henry Strong Foundation Loan, Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL), or a Perkins Loan you are required to complete exit counseling for each loan prior to graduation. For specific questions about loan exit interviews, please contact the Student Accounts Office at 515-271-3174.

A group of student smiling and laughing together in their regalia at a Drake University Commencement ceremony.

Day of the Ceremony

Select the ceremony you’ll be participating in below to find detailed instructions about where to go, when to arrive, seating, and more.

Two girls smiling in their regalia after commencement while holding a bottle of champagne in front of Old Main.

After the Ceremony

Former students may request an unofficial transcript through Self Service for up to one year following their last date of attendance but requests for official Drake University transcripts must be made via the National Student Clearinghouse.