Commencement vs. graduation: What’s the difference?

Graduating from high school or college is a major milestone, but the terminology can get confusing. You may hear people use "commencement" and "graduation" interchangeably, but they’re actually two different things. So, what’s the difference, and why does it matter? Let’s break it down.

What is graduation?

Graduation is the official process of completing all degree requirements. This means:

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• You’ve passed all required courses.

• Your credits have been verified by the school.

• Your degree or diploma is officially awarded.

This process happens behind the scenes and is determined by the school’s registrar’s office. You don’t need to attend a ceremony to graduate; you officially graduate once your school confirms that you’ve met all requirements.

What is commencement?

Commencement, on the other hand, is the ceremony that celebrates graduates. It’s the event where students walk across the stage, shake hands with faculty, and receive a diploma cover (the actual diploma usually arrives later). Commencement often includes speeches from school officials and guest speakers, making it a moment of recognition for students and their families.

Do you need to attend commencement to graduate?

Nope! While commencement is a special tradition, attending the ceremony is not required to officially graduate. Some students choose to skip it for various reasons, including travel constraints or work commitments. Others may finish their degree requirements in a different semester, making them unable to attend a spring ceremony.

Can you attend commencement if you haven’t officially graduated yet?

In some cases, yes. Many schools allow students who are close to completing their degree requirements to participate in commencement. However, this doesn’t mean they have officially graduated. They still need to fulfill any remaining academic obligations before receiving their diploma.

Which date matters more: commencement or graduation?

That depends! If you need proof of your degree for a job or graduate school, the actual graduation date (when your degree is conferred) is what matters. However, for family celebrations and personal milestones, the commencement ceremony often feels like the bigger event.

Why does the difference matter?

Understanding the distinction between commencement and graduation can help you:

• Plan ahead by organizing job applications, preparing for further studies, or meeting licensing exam deadlines.

• Manage expectations by understanding that students may walk at commencement but still need to complete final requirements.

• Celebrate fully by staying on top of deadlines and key milestones so you don’t miss out on important moments.

Commencement and graduation both mark an important achievement, but they’re not the same. Graduation is the official moment when a degree is awarded, while commencement is the celebration. No matter how you mark the occasion, it’s a moment to be proud of!

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This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.