Graduation Ceremonies

Visit our Commencement website for the most recent information about graduation ceremonies.

The Registrar’s Office is responsible for awarding Emerson College bachelor’s and master’s degrees. All students must declare their Intent to Graduate by the following deadlines:

Bachelor's Degree Candidates

Graduating SemesterIntent to Graduate Application DeadlineCeremony Date
Fall 2024September 18, 2024May 11, 2025
Spring 2025January 28, 2025May 11, 2025
Summer 2025March 23, 2025 for students who wish to participate in the May 2025 Commencement Ceremony
May 1, 2025 for all other students
May 11, 2025

Master's Degree Candidates

Graduating SemesterIntent to Graduate Application DeadlineCeremony Date
Fall 2024September 18, 2024May 10, 2025
Spring 2025January 28, 2025May 10, 2025
Summer 2025March 23, 2025 for students who wish to participate in a May 2025 ceremony
May 1, 2025 for all other students
May 10, 2025

S@E Master’s Degree Candidates

Graduating SemesterIntent to Graduate Application DeadlineCeremony Date
Fall 2024September 18, 2024December 15, 2024
Spring 2025January 28, 2025August 17, 2025
Summer 2025March 23, 2025 for students who wish to participate in the May 2025 Commencement Ceremony
May 1, 2025 for all other students
August 17, 2025

Emerson College holds graduation ceremonies once a year in May. Students completing their degree in December 2024 and May 2025 and August 2025 are eligible to participate in May 2025 graduation ceremonies.

Students completing their degree in August 2025 who wish to participate in a May 2025 ceremony must submit their Intent to Graduate by March 23, 2025. 

Undergraduate students may only participate in one Commencement Ceremony. Graduate students may only participate in one Graduate Hooding Ceremony. Graduate students are invited to process at the Commencement Ceremony that coincides with their graduation year, but the Graduate Hooding Ceremony is their main event.

Speech@Emerson holds a Graduate Hooding Ceremony for each cohort at the conclusion of their Immersion 2. Speech@Emerson graduates are invited to process at the Commencement Ceremony that coincides with their graduation year, but the Graduate Hooding Ceremony is their main event.

Degree Conferral

The degree conferral date is the actual date your degree is awarded. It is listed on our diplomas and transcripts.

Note: Late arrival of final grades or late submission of the Intent to Graduate Form may delay the degree conferral until the next available date, or delay the mailing of the diploma.

Official Conferral Dates

Emerson degrees are conferred three times a year. Please see below for official conferral dates and estimated diploma distribution dates.

Graduating SemesterConferral Date
FallDecember 30, 2024
SpringMay 11, 2025
SummerAugust 30, 2025

Estimated Diploma Schedule

All graduates will receive their diploma by mail according to the following estimated schedule:

Graduating SemesterDiploma Mailing
FallEarly February
SpringEarly June
SummerEarly October