Graduation is the completion of all degree requirements in order to be awarded your degree and receive your printed diploma. Commencement is the symbolic ceremony at which your graduation is publicly acknowledged and celebrated. Participation in the Commencement ceremony does not equate to graduating.
You must follow the directions from Registrar's Office for Applying for Graduation. Upon completion of these steps and approval from the Registrar's Office, your graduation status on LEO Online will be changed to "Pending."
Please refer to the . Note that not only does applying for graduation on time allow you to receive guest tickets for the Commencement ceremony, but also puts your name in the Commencement program. Graduates who apply after the deadline will not have their names listed in the program. The names of August graduates will appear in the program in the May prior.
It is important that you meet with your academic advisor early in the graduation process to ensure that you meet all of your requirements and necessary deadlines.
Once your graduation status is listed as "Pending," a registration hold is placed on your record and you will be unable to register for classes for future semesters. It is important to notify the Registrar's Office in writing as soon as possible if you will not be graduating so that this hold can be released.
August graduation candidates should attend the May ceremony. The names of the August graduates will appear in the May Commencement program. August graduates must apply for graduation and register for Commencement by February 28.
Yes. You are not automatically registered for Commencement when you apply for graduation, but the Commencement registration is now part of the Application for Graduation. Every graduate who wishes to attend the ceremony must click to check the Commencement checkbox while filling out the graduation application form in LeoOnline. Only graduates who complete the participation registration portion of the graduation application will have guest tickets available to them.
If you apply for graduation and either did not choose to register to participate in the ceremony at that time and wish to do so now, or you wish to cancel your registration, please send an email with your request and your UIN to commencement@odu.edu.
Graduates should report to the check-in area no later than one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. Detailed day-of instructions will be sent to you approximately one week prior to the date of your Commencement ceremony.
Main Campus Graduates (including 黑料正能量 Global)
Graduates have two online options when purchasing graduation items, 鈥淧ickup Regalia at the Grad Fair" or 鈥淪hip Regalia to my address鈥. Please visit to place your order.
The is March 24th - March 26th at the Webb Center. Students can choose 鈥淧ickup Regalia at the Grad Fair鈥 to avoid shipping charges and the cap and gown items ordered will be available for pickup at the Grad Fair.
Students who would like to have their regalia mailed directly to them will need to select "Ship Regalia to My Address". Please allow 3 weeks for delivery of cap and gown related products. Please read over the deadlines for each option.
- Pickup Regalia at Grad Fair Order Deadline: February 18th, 2026
- Grad Fair is March 24th to March 26
- Ship Regalia to My Address Order Deadline: April 21, 2026
- Late Order Site Expedite Shipping Only Order Deadline: May 1, 2026
Medical Campus (Formerly EVMS)
Medical Campus students can reserve their graduation regalia for pickup at the May 1st distribution event by visiting and selecting 鈥淧ickup Regalia on Campus鈥.
Students who would like to have their regalia mailed directly to them will need to select "Ship Regalia to My Address". Please allow 3 weeks for delivery of cap and gown-related products. Please read over the deadlines for each option.
- Ship to Campus Order Deadline: March 23, 2026
- Medical Campus Distribution Day is May 1st at EVMS Bookstore
- Ship Regalia to My Address Order Deadline: April 21, 2026
- Late Order Site Expedite Shipping Only Order Deadline: May 1, 2026
After the site closes, Regalia is ONLY available for purchase in-store at the 黑料正能量 Bookstore, not online. The 黑料正能量 Bookstore does not accept phone orders.
Yes. Sign language interpreters will be located on the stage. For other accommodation needs for the deaf or hearing impaired, please contact commencement@odu.edu.
No. Only graduating students may walk in the processional or be seated on the arena floor. All family members must be seated in the guest seating with a ticket.
In the event of inclement weather, details of the weather plan will be shared on the odu.edu homepage at least 24 hours ahead of the ceremony.
Diplomas & Transcripts
- What is the size of the diploma? All Old Dominion University diplomas (bachelors, masters, doctorate) are displayed horizontally (landscape) at 14" x 11".
- What information will appear on the diploma? Your name (as it is on file with the Registrar's Office), your degree (not your major), and your graduation date will appear on your diploma. The University Seal and the signatures of the President and the Rector appear on the diploma as well.
- When will I receive my diploma? Diplomas are mailed 6-8 weeks after graduation to the permanent (home) address on file with the Registrar's Office. It is important that you update this information early in your final semester. May graduates' diplomas should arrive in late June/early July; August graduates' diplomas should arrive mid-October; December graduates' diplomas should arrive mid-February.
- Where do I get information about transcripts? Visit the transcripts page for complete information.