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 Semester Intent to Graduate Application Deadline Ceremony Date
Fall 2023 September 19, 2023 May 12, 2024
Spring 2024 January 30, 2024 May 12, 2024
Summer 2024 March 24, 2024 for students who wish to participate in a May 2024 ceremony
May 2, 2024 for all other students
May 12, 2024

Master's Degree Candidates

Graduating Semester Intent to Graduate Application Deadline Ceremony Date
Fall 2023 September 19, 2023 May 11, 2024
Spring 2024 January 30, 2024 May 11, 2024
Summer 2024 March 24, 2024 for students who wish to participate in a May 2023 ceremony
May 2, 2024 for all other students
May 11, 2024

S@E Master’s Degree Candidates

Graduating Semester Intent to Graduate Application Deadline Ceremony Date
Fall 2023 September 19, 2023 December 17, 2023
Spring 2024 January 30, 2024 April 21, 2024
Summer 2024 March 24, 2024 for students who wish to participate in the May 2024 Commencement Ceremony
May 2, 2024 for all other students
August 18, 2024

Emerson College holds graduation ceremonies once a year in May. Students completing their degree in December 2023 and May 2024 and August 2024 are eligible to participate in May 2024 graduation ceremonies.

Students completing their degree in August 2024 who wish to participate in a May 2024 ceremony must submit their Intent to Graduate by March 24, 2024. 

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 Semester Conferral Date
Fall December 30, 2023
Spring May 12, 2024
Summer August 30, 2024

Estimated Diploma Schedule

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

Graduating Semester Diploma Mailing
Fall Early February
Spring Early June
Summer Early October