Key Dates and Deadlines

The Doctoral Hooding ceremony is a special experience designed to recognize the culmination of the time and effort you have invested in your education. To ensure you have all the information you need to fully participate in this event, please carefully review the key dates and deadlines below. We encourage you to set reminders on your calendar and watch your email for additional updates and instructions. Contact us at doctoral-hooding@ku.edu with any questions.

PLEASE NOTE - Registration will open on March 3! Please monitor your university email to receive updates on registration and the ceremony!

March 3 - Deadline to apply for graduation and ceremony registration opens

If you want your name to appear in the Commencement Book, you MUST apply for graduation by March 1st! This is the last day for students to complete the Application for Graduation. Please note - completing the application for graduation does NOT register you for the ceremony. You must complete a separate registration in order to participate in the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony. 

March 25 & 26 - Spring Grad Fair

Grad Fair in the Kansas Union Ballroom (level 5) from 10AM to 4PM each day.  Get your regalia and all of your graduation needs in one place!  Participants from the Medical Center should work with the KUMC Bookstore. Call 913-588-2548 for more information.

March 28 - Ceremony registration deadline

Last date for students to register for the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony.  Registration will close at 11:59 pm.  All students who meet this deadline will have their names appear in the Doctoral Hooding Program. If you did not receive an email with instructions on how to register, please email us at doctoral-hooding@ku.edu immediately.

March 31 - Regalia deadline

Deadline for faculty regalia rentals. Faculty hooders and ceremony participants can rent or purchase appropriate regalia for participation in commencement exercises. Rentals can be ordered until two weeks before graduation, but there is a $19.95 expedited order fee after March 31.

Recommended last date for doctoral candidates to order appropriate regalia from the KU Bookstore. There is no deadline for regalia purchases. However, you should expect approximately five weeks between ordering and receiving your regalia, so please plan to attend a Grad Fair or purchase early.  Contact the KU Bookstore at jayhawks@ku.edu or 785-864-2474 with questions about regalia. Medical Center participants should work with the KUMC Bookstore (913-588-2548). 

May 17 - Ceremony

The Doctoral Hooding Ceremony will take place at 7:30 pm at the Lied Center.  Participants must arrive between 6:00 and 7:00 pm to check-in, find your hooder, and locate your School or College.  Guests may arrive as early as 6:00 p.m. to find parking and take pictures with their graduate. Doors will open for guests to be seated at 6:30.