Picture of SUSE Students at Commencement 2010

Important Information for Graduating Students

Stanford University and the School of Education hold one commencement/diploma ceremony each year. All students who will complete their degree requirements by Spring quarter and MA students on track to complete an approved program in Summer quarter are invited to participate.

Graduating Students (PhD/MA/STEP Graduating Spring 2012)

If you expect to complete your degree requirements by the end of Spring quarter, remember to complete the following:

  1. Apply to Graduate on Axess by April 13th
    If you are expecting to complete your degree requirements at the end of Spring quarter, you will need to file an application to graduate via Axess by 5pm on April 13, 2012. If you encounter any difficulties in filing your application via Axess, please contact the Student Services Center.

    Late Applications to Graduate:  Applications received after April 13th and prior to the late application deadline of June 6th will be assessed a $50 fee. No applications to graduate will be accepted after the late deadline. 

    Diploma Distribution: Diplomas are distributed once each year at the department ceremonies. When you apply to graduate on Axess, you will be asked to indicate how you wish to receive your diploma: at the department ceremony, at the Student Services Center, or by mail. Please indicate "department ceremony" if you will be participating in the SUSE ceremony. You may use Axess as often as necessary to update your diploma distribution options through June 3rd.

  2. Order your cap, gown and hood by April 29th
    You may also order graduation announcements using the same website.
    Questions: Stanford Bookstore (650) 329-1217, ext. 348
    Distribution Hours (beginning ealy June at the lower level of the bookstore):
    10am-5pm Monday-Saturday and 11am-5pm Sunday
    If you miss the deadline, caps and gowns may be available in person at the bookstore in early June.

  3. Complete SUSE survey by April 30th
    You need to complete a short survey by April 30th in order to participate in the SUSE ceremony, receive your diploma at the ceremony, and get your information printed in the program.

Walking in the Ceremony (MA Graduating Summer 2012)

If you are in the LDT or ICE/IEAPA program and expect to complete your degree requirements by the end of Summer quarter, you are encouraged to walk in the Spring ceremony. Walkthrough candidates are treated as graduates for the purposes of the ceremony (they just don't receive a diploma in their diploma cover). Remember to complete the following: 

  1.  Complete Walkthrough Petition by April 15th
    Submit this petition to request School approval to participate in the ceremony. Master's students should complete at least 36 units and get department approval in order to walk in the ceremony.

  2. Order your cap, gown and hood by April 29th
    You may also order graduation announcements using the same website.
    Questions: Stanford Bookstore (650) 329-1217, ext. 348
    Distribution Hours (beginning ealy June at the lower level of the bookstore):
    10am-5pm Monday-Saturday and 11am-5pm Sunday
    If you miss the deadline, caps and gowns may be available in person at the bookstore in early June.

  3. Complete SUSE survey by April 30th
    If you intend to participate in the SUSE ceremony, you need to complete a short survey by April 30th in order to walk and get your information printed in the program.

  4. Apply to Graduate by August 3rd
    If you are expecting to complete your degree requirements at the end of Summer quarter, you will need to file an application to graduate via Axess by 5pm on August 3, 2012. If you encounter any difficulties in filing your application via Axess, please contact the Student Services Center.

    Late Applications to Graduate:  Applications received after August 3rd and prior to the late application deadline of August 16th will be assessed a $50 fee. No applications to graduate will be accepted after the late deadline. 

    Diploma Distribution: When you apply to graduate on Axess, you will be asked to indicate how you wish to receive your diploma: at the department ceremony, at the Student Services Center, or by mail. Please select Student Services Center or by mail. Summer diplomas are usually ready for mailing or pick-up in December.

Additional Information for PhD Students

  • If you've already defended and submitted your dissertation and would like to participate in the SUSE ceremony, please complete the SUSE survey by April 30th.
  • If you plan to defend and submit your dissertation by June 6th, please complete SUSE survey by April 30th. 
  •  If you plan to defend by June 6th but will not submit your dissertation by June 6th, you can submit the Walkthrough Petition after your defense, by Friday, June 8th. You should also submit the SUSE survey by April 30th. Candidates walking through do not receive a diploma at the Ceremony but a blank diploma cover will be provided and their name will be announced. They are treated the same as graduates for the purposes of the Ceremony.
  •  If your dissertation title changes after you've submitted the SUSE survey, please contact Malini Doering.

Undergraduate Students

  • Follow instructions from the Office of the Registrar to prepare for graduation and commencement
  • More information to follow via email