Is Commencement the Same as Graduation?

Graduation is the official awarding of degrees. Participation in a commencement ceremony does not equal graduation. Students must meet all graduation requirements before a degree is conferred.  Commencement is an end-of-fall or -spring celebration for students projected to successfully complete all of their graduation requirements by the end of that fall, spring or summer semester.  The official date the Office of the Registrar awards degrees can be found on the academic calendar.