Columbus State University News

Changes coming to graduation ceremonies this December

September 21, 2026

Streamers and confetti coming down at a graduation ceremony

Columbus State University has restructured the schedule for its primary graduation events, starting this December. These adjustments are designed to improve the graduation experience for students, their families and the campus community.

A key feature of the new schedule is incorporating the Graduate Hooding Ceremony, previously a standalone event on Thursday evenings, into the main graduation day. Moving this ceremony to Friday afternoon allows graduate students and their families to celebrate their achievements on one day instead of attending events on two separate days as was the previous practice.

Graduate students will attend only the 4 p.m. ceremony unless they are also earning an undergraduate certificate or degree this fall.

The new Friday, Dec. 11 schedule will proceed as follows:

  • 9 a.m., Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony recognizing students receiving undergraduate certificates and nexus, associate and bachelor’s degrees from the College of the Arts and the College of Letters & Sciences.
  • 12:30 p.m., Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony recognizing students receiving undergraduate certificates and nexus, associate and bachelor’s degrees from the Turner College of Business & Technology and the College of Education & Health Professions.
  • 4 p.m., Graduate Commencement Ceremony recognizing students receiving graduate certificates and master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees from any Columbus State college. During this ceremony, faculty advisors will hood doctoral degree graduates, while college deans will hood their respective master’s and specialist degree graduates.

The university has scheduled the ceremonies at different times during the day and grouped the colleges to better control attendance. Consequently, Columbus State will keep its tradition of providing open, ticketless seating, allowing each graduate to invite as many guests as they wish to all ceremonies.

After the fall commencement ceremonies, university leaders will evaluate the changes before adopting the new schedule permanently for the spring semester and beyond.

The university will provide all graduates with detailed instructions regarding arrival times and check-in procedures in November. Families and community members are encouraged to monitor the official Graduation website for further updates.

Media contact: Michael Tullier, APR