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Pipers perform at American University Commencement

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For Students Preparing to Graduate

As you prepare to graduate, be sure to read over the following information and deadlines. This page will be updated as additional Commencement details become available.

Apply to graduate on Eagle Service and go to Graduation Overview. Connect with your advisor if you have any questions about your graduation application. Students, with the exception of WCL, must submit an application to graduate through Eagle Service by March 24. Applications for graduation will not be accepted after the deadline.

Washington College of Law Students, please visit this website for commencement details specific to the WCL ceremony.

Students made eligible to participate in Commencement will be able to order regalia. Your regalia order serves as your registration to participate in the ceremony and signs you up for your tickets and parking pass. At Commencement, all graduates must be in regalia unless they are active military in uniform. Anything other than regalia will not be permitted. Please note the opening dates for the Oak Hall regalia site for each graduate level:

Regalia Site Openings:
Doctoral Regalia: February 13
Master's Regalia: March 3
Bachelor's Regalia: March 3 

Even if your chosen name has not changed since you first applied to AU, please take a moment to check your application to graduate on Eagle Service to verify that your name is correct. Updates must be made no later than March 24 (updates made after March 24 should be emailed to Graduation Services).

NameCoach creates a professional recording of your diploma name. On March 5, eligible graduates will receive a unique link. Submit your name pronunciation before April 1 at 11:59 p.m.

Undergraduates eligible for Latin Honors can pick up their gold honors cord during distribution on April 2 in the Mary Graydon Center. See Undergraduate Academic Regulations, section 5.5.

  • Tickets are required for guest admittance to the Spring Commencement ceremonies.
  • For Spring 2025, six tickets and one parking pass will be distributed to students who have registered to participate in Commencement by ordering their cap and gown.
  • Graduates will not need a ticket for themselves.
  • In April, registered students will receive a unique link to their AU email to access their electronic tickets.

Washington College of Law

Students Preparing to Graduate

As you prepare to graduate, be sure to read over the information and deadlines specifiic to the Washington College of Law commencement ceremony. 

National Anthem Singer Auditions

  • The Office of the President and the Department of Performing Arts seek graduating seniors or graduate students to sing the national anthem at each of the five American University commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10.
  • Auditions will take place on Wednesday, March 5, between 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the Katzen Arts Center.
  • To sign up for an audition slot, please contact the Department of Performing Arts at dpa@american.edu or come to Katzen Room 100, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. For emails, please use "Commencement Audition" in the subject line and let us know a range of preferred times. Please sign up by Monday, March 3.
  • Singers should prepare the National Anthem in a comfortable key from memory (usually B-flat or A-flat, with A or G also acceptable).

Student Speaker Applications

  • Each ceremony includes an address by a graduating graduate and undergraduate student speaker.
  • Selection of the student speakers is coordinated within each school's dean's office starting in early February. Speakers are announced in early April.
  • If you would like to be considered as a student speaker, contact your school’s commencement coordinator.

International Grads & Guests

Students participating in Commencement or their guests who are not in the U.S. at the time of graduation and do not have a U.S. passport may require documentation in order to secure a visa to attend commencement.

All documentation requests must be submitted by the graduate via a written request to the Registrar's Office with the following information:

  1. Name of the graduating student

  2. Major or course of study

  3. Date of ceremony

Submission Options

Mail:
Degree Clearance Team, Office of the Registrar
American University
4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016

Fax: 202-885-1016

Email: graduation_services@american.edu
(Email submissions must have a PDF attachment of the request which includes the student's signature)

This page will be updated as additional Commencement details become available.