General Information

Intent to graduate

It is your responsibility to notify the University of your intent to graduate. This should be done by using the "Graduating this Semester" eLion application at the beginning of the semester in which you plan to graduate. Check the graduation activation schedule for the dates when you can activate your intent to graduate. After the graduation activation period expires, you must contact the office of your major to request any changes to your graduation status. Unofficial programs are distributed at the commencement ceremony and list the names of graduating students. If your intent to graduate is activated after the student information has been sent to the printer, your name will not appear in the program.

Address Information

It is critical for the University to have your correct home and local address in order to mail pertinent graduation information (including diplomas). You can check and update your address on eLion.

Register to Attend Commencement

Graduating students must register to participate in the commencement ceremony by April 15 (for spring commencement) or November 15 (for summer/fall commencement). Register for the commencement ceremony on the web here.

If you do not plan to attend the ceremony and would like your diploma mailed to you, please fill out the registration form and indicate that you will NOT attend the comencement ceremony.

Alternate commencement site

You may request to attend a commencement ceremony other than your assigned campus location. Click here for the alternate location request form (PDF). Contact the Office of Enrollment Services at 717-948-6020 for more information.

Academic dress

Undergraduate academic regalia consist of blue gowns with wide sleeves and blue mortarboard caps with tassels. Graduate regalia differ in the black gowns with hoods and pointed sleeves. Click here to view the graduate candidate hooding instructions as a PDF file. The uniform of the armed forces is the only other apparel officially recognized and permitted.

Caps, gowns, and tassels are available for purchase at the Penn State Harrisburg Bookstore. Select graduation announcements are available now. Call the bookstore, 717-948-6286, for complete information on regalia, announcements/invitations and class rings. Sample minimum purchase prices range from $22.95 for undergraduate regalia to $44.95 for complete master’s degree sets. Doctoral regalia are available for rent for $40.00. Baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral caps and gowns differ from each other, as do caps and gowns from other educational institutions.

Gowns are available in regular and plus sizes. Please check your regalia for accuracy and quality before the day of the ceremony.

Because your personal safety is of great concern to us, appropriate footwear is strongly recommended. Graduating students are encouraged to consider wearing low-heeled shoes since the academic processional and recessional involve descending and climbing stairs in the Giant Center.

Candidates for the baccalaureate and associate degrees should wear the tassel of the cap on the right front edge.

Please note that ornamentation representing honorary societies or nationalities is not approved attire for Penn State academic ceremonies.