Info for Graduate Students
To be eligible to earn an advanced degree, students must fulfill appropriate requirements as established by their academic department and the Graduate School, and have an approved candidacy application.
Note: Please submit paperwork first to your department and allow time for review before Graduate School deadlines.
Go to the Graduate School’s website for complete information on upcoming Graduate School deadlines →
Mark Your Calendars: 2025 Ceremonies for Graduates
Students must have submitted their graduation application through Buff Portal to be eligible to graduate and participate in commencement ceremonies.
The University of Colorado Boulder will host the spring 2025 University Commencement Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, May 8, at Folsom Field.
- The commencement is for CU Boulder students graduating across the university.
- Stadium gates open at 7 a.m. No tickets are required to attend.
- Have additional questions? Check out the general ceremony FAQs →
- Tickets are not required.
CU Boulder colleges, schools, departments and programs also will celebrate the Class of 2025 with individual recognition ceremonies.
- CMCI's graduation recognition ceremony will be held at 8 a.m. Friday, May 9, at the CU Events Center. Graduates must arrive by 7 a.m.
- Doors open for seating at 7 a.m. No tickets are required to attend.
- Following the ceremony, join us for a reception on the Business Field directly across the street. The reception is from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Light refreshments will be served.
- We ask that you complete the registration form in advance to participate in the recognition ceremony. Please RSVP by April 1 to ensure your information is correct and to be included in the printed program.
Regalia Information for Ceremony Days
Plan ahead for your graduation regalia.
Master’s and PhD students: The deadline to order regalia is 11:59 p.m. Thursday, March 27. To participate in either the CU or CMCI ceremonies, you must wear academic regalia. CMCI's tassel and stole are red.
Undergraduate students: You can purchase your regalia from the CU Book Store. CMCI's tassel and stole are red.
Spring 2025 Graduates
To be eligible to earn an advanced degree, students must fulfill appropriate requirements as established by their academic department and the Graduate School, and have an approved candidacy application.
Note: Please submit paperwork first to your department and allow time for review before Graduate School deadlines.
Go to the Graduate School’s website for complete information on upcoming Graduate School deadlines →
- April 15: Complete thesis defense/final examination.
- At least two weeks before your final exam occurs, your academic unit must fill out a report that provides the Graduate School with notice of the final exam. Certain units do not require an exam. Contact your department with questions.
- April 23: Submit thesis and thesis approval form.
- Your thesis must be submitted electronically for review and approval by Graduate School staff by the end of the business day. The thesis approval form must be uploaded as a supplemental file with the dissertation in order for the submission to be complete.
- April 8: Complete the PhD dissertation defense or final examination.
- At least two weeks before the exam occurs, your academic unit must fill out a report that provides the Graduate School with notice of the final exam.
- April 15: Submit dissertation with a thesis approval form and complete the survey.
- Dissertation: Your thesis must be submitted electronically for review and approval by Graduate School staff by the end of the business day.
- Your thesis approval form must be uploaded as a supplemental file with the dissertation in order for the submission to be complete.
- Survey: PhD students must fill out the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) by end of the day.
- Dissertation: Your thesis must be submitted electronically for review and approval by Graduate School staff by the end of the business day.
Have additional questions? Check out these Graduation FAQs →