Homestudent ExperiencegraduationCeremony

Fall Graduation Ceremony

October 2026

Registration: Open July 14–30

In-Person Ceremony: Saturday, October 3
Mackey Arena, Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN

Virtual Ceremony: Sunday, October 4
Online only; no in-person attendance

Deadline: No new registrations or changes accepted after Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET.
Questions? Contact graduation@purdueglobal.edu.
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Watch Graduation Highlights

Checklist: Prepare for Graduation

Take Graduate Slide Photo

Your Graduate Slide Photo

Photo appears on your graduate slide as name is called.
 

Follow these guidelines to ensure your photo is accepted:

  • Headshot: Graduate only — no other people or animals
    • Portrait (vertical) orientation
    • Original high resolution photo (no screenshots)
  • Attire: Business professional or regalia (no hats or sunglasses; graduation caps allowed)
  • Uniformed personnel: Follow local agency/unit guidelines for attire and insignia 
  • Photo Requirements: Original photo only (no screenshots); suitable for an academic audience 
  • Background: Light-colored and uncluttered (not in a car) 
  • Not Permitted: Logos, text, filters, or graphics; non-compliant photos will be cropped or removed

View full photo guidelines

Sample Slide:

Headshot Dos and Don’ts: 

Register for the Ceremony

Register for the Ceremony

  • Registration opens July 14-30.
  • Deadline: No new registrations or changes accepted after Thursday, July 30, 2026 at 11:59 pm ET.
  • Need for Registration: Student Email, Student ID, headshot photo
Order Cap and Gown

Order Cap and Gown

Required for in-person attendees only

  • Order regalia 6 weeks before the ceremony
  • Visit the Caps and Gowns page for ordering instructions
Plan to Attend in Person

Plan to Attend in Person

  • Order Regalia: Allow 6 weeks for delivery (required for in-person attendees)
  • Book Travel: View parking & hotel info
  • Tickets: Tickets will be distributed digitally in mid-September. There is no fixed ticket limit per graduate and no guest limit.
  • National Anthem Audition (Optional): Submit to perform at graduation
  • Ceremony & Live Stream Info: After registering, visit the Commencement Showroom for details
Plan to Attend Virtually

Plan to Attend Virtually

  • Ceremony and Online Viewing Info: After registering, visit the Commencement Showroom for details
  • What to Expect:
    • Registered virtual grads are featured with their name and slide
    • Virtual Ceremony is in Zoom
    • Graduates won’t appear in the live ceremony, but can see fellow graduates in Zoom
    • Recordings posted later on YouTube
    • View a past ceremony
Invite Guests

Invite Guests

Graduation Weekend Schedule

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Black & Gold Celebration

Friday, October 2, 5:00–6:30 pm ET

Purdue Memorial Union | West Lafayette, IN

Family-friendly social hour
All ages welcome | No tickets required

group of students in caps and gowns at Purdue Global graduation ceremony

Commencement

  • Saturday, October 3: Commencement (In-Person)
  • Sunday, October 4: Commencement (Virtual)

View full commencement schedule.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

image of Purdue Global sign in lights with a black background
Purdue Global graduate walking in line to get to the ceremony
a Purdue Global graduate and Purdue mascot at the Black and Gold celebration
Purdue global graduate standing outside graduation
Two Purdue Global graduates smiling and holding flowers and stuffed animals.
Purdue global graduate holding flowers and posing with her parents.
two Purdue Global graduates holding a Congrats sign, with a light-up Purdue Global sign and black and gold balloons in the background
Purdue Global graduates walking to graduation.
four smiling Purdue Global graduates at the Black and Gold celebration, surrounded by black and gold ballooons
two smiling Purdue Global graduates dancing at the Black and Gold celebration, surrounded by black and gold ballooons
NOTES AND CONDITIONS

Commencement: Commencement times will be determined after the participation deadline. Participants and attendees assume all financial and health risks associated with attending commencement and must abide by all guidelines as required by the University, venue, and government. Commencement may be canceled or changed to a virtual experience due to government mandates or advisories regarding public health or safety, and the University will not be responsible for any incurred costs or expenses as a result.

Commencement Participation: Participation in commencement is not a verification of graduation. View eligibility requirements. Candidates receive their diploma approximately 8 weeks after completion of their final class and once all program requirements have been confirmed by University officials.

The Purdue Global Commencement and related events could be broadcast live online and all attendees' student directory information, military branch (if applicable), videos, and photos shown during the ceremony could be photographed, videotaped, or filmed by authorized parties. The registration of all participants, submission of photos/videos, and attendance at or participation in the graduation-related events serve as permission for use of these names, images, and posts by Purdue Global. Commercial photography or filming is prohibited without permission of Purdue Global.