Graduation and Commencement

This will be sent to your Program Chair for review.

• Expected graduates will receive important information as the semester goes on. Be sure to check your Cincinnati State email address regularly.
• If you have recently moved, update your mailing address through Self-Service.

  • Diplomas and certificates are mailed to students approximately six (6) weeks after the last day of the graduation semester.
  • They are not given out at the Commencement ceremony.

• Students with outstanding balances should pay as soon as possible through Self-Service.

  • Degrees and certificates are not mailed to students with an outstanding balance.
  • Transcripts or graduation are not held for outstanding balances.

• Summer 2025 graduates
• Fall 2025 graduates
• Spring 2026 associate’s, bachelor’s and certificate students
  • Degree Audit must be “Pending Complete”
• Summer 2026 associate’s and bachelor’s degrees
  • Certificates are not eligible to walk
  • Must be registered for remaining classes (15 credit hour max)
  • Degree Audit must be “Pending Complete”

If you plan to attend the commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 9th, 2026, fill out the Intent to Participate in Commencement e-form.

Please allow 3-5 business days for processing. Do not fill out more than one form.

The deadline to submit this form is Friday, April 10, 2026.

• Click here to order your cap and gown online.
  • Students must select one of two options: “Student Homeship” or “Student Ship to Grad Fair”.
    • Do not select “faculty rental“.
    • Select “Student Ship to Grad Fair” to pick up at Grad Finale on April 2nd.
      • The deadline to ship to the Grad Finale is March 4th.
    • Select “Student Homeship” to ship to home address.
      • The deadline to ship to home is April 16th.
  • Questions regarding regalia ordering should be sent directly to Jostens.
• Attend Grad Finale, hosted by Student Activities: Thursday, April 2 from 11am-1pm
  • Enjoy snacks and freebies
  • Pick up cap and gowns ordered online from the Campus Store
  • Order announcements and class rings from Jostens
  • Record your “Grad Shout-Out”
  • Snap photos against the CState background
• Pick up your tickets at ATLC, room 105, the Offices of the Registrar & Financial Aid.
  • Pick up dates – TBA
  • Limit ten (10) guest tickets per graduating student – graduates do not need a ticket.
  • Tickets are free, for general admission, and required by the Cintas Center for all guests over the age of two (2)
  • No additional or extra tickets will be given.
• Pick up your Honors cords, if applicable.
  • Those students graduating from a degree program, with honors, will pick up their green “honors” cord with their guest tickets.
  • Honors are awarded to degree program graduates with high academic achievement, as follows:
    • Cum Laude: 3.500-3.799
    • Magna Cum Laude: 3.800-3.899
    • Summa Cum Laude: 3.900-4.000
  • Honors designations in the printed program at the commencement ceremony are projected based on cumulative GPA calculations made at the end of the Fall 2025 semester. The student’s cumulative GPA at the conclusion of their degree requirements will determine the final honors designation on the transcript and diploma.
• If you are a graduate with a permanent or temporary disability and will need physical assistance accessing the stage during the ceremony, please notify the Office of the Registrar at ro@cincinnatistate.edu by Friday, May 8th.

Commencement Day (Saturday, May 9th) at the Cintas Center on the campus of Xavier University

• Doors open for graduates and guests at 1:30pm – graduates must arrive no later than 2:30pm
  • Graduates enter through the west entrance, guests enter through the main entrance
• Driving Directions and Parking Map to the Cintas Center
• The Cintas Center has its own set of policies and requirements that all must follow.
  • No bags, including camera bags, will be permitted except for clear bags and small clutch purses.
  • No broadcast style cameras will be allowed in the arena.
  • Balloons, air horns and noisemakers are not permitted.
• The Alumni Association will be selling flowers as a fundraiser.
• Ceremony Livestream link – COMING SOON!
• “Grad Shout Out” video – COMING SOON!

All outstanding balances must be paid off to receive a diploma.

• Spring 2026 diplomas & certificates will be mailed out the week of June 22nd.
• Summer 2026 diplomas & certificates will be mailed out the week of October 5th.
  • Students who rather pick up their diploma must send that request to ro@cincinnatistate.edu before the posted mailing date.
  • Students who did not attend the ceremony can request a green diploma cover.

Spring graduates’ transcripts will be updated May 8th.

Summer graduates’ transcripts will be updated August 21st

To order official transcripts, click here 

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