Graduation Checklist

Rush University will recognize our graduating students on Saturday, May 2, 2026 at the Credit Union 1 Arena, 525 S. Racine Ave., Chicago, IL. “Graduation” is an academic distinction that refers to earning a degree and obtaining a diploma. “Commencement” is the ceremony celebrating your graduation.

Apply for Graduation

• Deadline to apply:
  • Fall graduates: please complete your Intent to Graduate Form by Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 to verify your name and order regalia.
  • Spring and Summer graduates: please complete your Intent to Graduate Form by Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026 to verify your name and order regalia.
• The Office of the Registrar will send the Degree Approval form to the student’s program director a few weeks prior to the degree conferral date that is posted on the academic calendar. These forms do not require the student’s signature. Program directors will communicate with their students regarding the Degree Approval form process if anything is needed from the student. Completed forms will be sent by the program director to the Office of the Registrar by the last day of the graduation term.
• PhD students, please submit your dissertation title by Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 to have it listed in the Commencement program.
• Update your diploma address to ensure your diploma is mailed to the correct address.
• If applicable, complete the Name Change form by Friday, Dec. 19, 2025 for Fall Graduates, and Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, for Spring and Summer Graduates.
• Attending the Commencement ceremony is optional, but completing the Intent to Graduate form is required.

Register for the Commencement Ceremony

• Students will indicate their intention to participate in the Commencement ceremony on their Intent to Graduate form. Please be aware that selecting ‘Yes’ to attending Commencement allows, for purposes of the ceremony only, release of directory information. See the Rush University Graduation and Commencement policy for more information.
• For specific details about the ceremony, review the Commencement Information for Students page.
• Graduates participating in the Commencement ceremony will be handed a diploma cover when walking across the stage. Diplomas will be mailed to the address on the Intent to Graduate form approximately 2-3 weeks after degree conferral.
• Please note, certificate-seeking students are not eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremony. However, an Intent to Graduate Form is still required in order for the certificate to be conferred.
• GradFest is a way to celebrate and prepare students for graduation and ceremony. Check back for details regarding Fall and Spring GradFest events.

To ensure you meet all degree requirements, please meet with your faculty advisor.

Graduates with unpaid financial obligations may experience delays with accessing their academic records until those obligations are met. Review your Notifications through Self-Service on the University Portal and follow up with the contact listed for any holds on your record.

Below is the link to purchase other Commencement related items with the Rush University logo, such as announcements, thank you notes, diploma frames, class rings and more.

• Matthews Rush Bookstore