Degrees are awarded in December and June. The University Commencement Ceremony and school hooding ceremonies take place only in June. December graduates are encouraged to participate in the June ceremonies. 

The University Commencement is open to all Northwestern graduate students and will take place at 6 PM Friday, June 18, 2010, at Ryan Field.

Those receiving the MFA or PhD degree in December 2009 or June 2010 may participate in a hooding ceremony that formally recognizes them as members of the academic community.   Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Master of Public Health students should check with their departments for details on department convocations.

Students wishing to participate in either the commencement or hooding ceremony (or both) should pay careful attention to deadline announcements they receive, both from their program advisers and from The Graduate School via TGS E-News. In addition to academic submissions, students must also be sure to rent academic regalia in time to participate

Hooding Ceremonies for 2009/2010 Academic Year PhD and MFA Graduates:  

• The Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
• The Kellogg School of Management
• The School of Communication
• The Feinberg School of Medicine
• The Graduate School Interdisciplinary Programs

Students in the School of Education and Social Policy, McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music are invited to participate in their school's ceremony:

• Students in the School of Education & Social Policy, please see the SESP instructions.
• Students in McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, please see the McCormick instructions.
• Students in the Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music, please check with the Office of Academic Affairs, Room 108 MAB, for information about the Hooding Ceremonies.