Clarkson University hosts four Commencement ceremonies per year. Eligible students are welcome to participate in ONE ceremony.

For the 2018-2019 academic year, the dates for Commencements are:

Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 11 a.m. - December Recognition Ceremony (Potsdam, N.Y., Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral Degrees)

Thursday, May 9, 2019 at 6 p.m. - Commencement Ceremony for Master's & Doctoral Degrees (Potsdam, N.Y.)

Saturday, May 11, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. - Commencement Ceremony for Bachelor's Degrees (Potsdam, N.Y.)

Friday, June 14, 2019 at 6 p.m. - Capital Region Campus & Beacon Institute Commencement Ceremony (Schenectady, N.Y., Master's Degrees and Advanced Certificates)

December Recognition Ceremony

Date/Time: Saturday, December 15, 2018; 11 a.m.
Location: Potsdam, N.Y.
Eligible Degrees: Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral

This ceremony takes place at the Schuler Indoor Recreation Center on Clarkson University's Potsdam campus at 11 a.m. It is open to eligible students in bachelor's, master's and Ph.D. programs. There is an 8 ticket limit for each graduate. This ceremony typically lasts approximately one hour and a celebratory reception follows in the same building.

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Commencement Ceremony for Master's & Doctoral Degrees

Date/Time: Thursday, May 19, 2019; 6 p.m.
Location: Potsdam, N.Y.
Eligible Degrees: Master's and Doctoral

This ceremony takes place at Cheel Campus Center in Cheel Arena on Clarkson University's Potsdam campus at 6 p.m. It is open to eligible students in master's and Ph.D. programs only. There is no ticket limit for each graduate, but graduates must list how many tickets they require when they fill out their graduation application in PeopleSoft. This ceremony typically lasts approximately one hour and a celebratory reception follows in an adjacent building.

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Commencement Ceremony for Bachelor's Degrees

Date/Time: Saturday, May 11, 2019; 2:30 p.m.
Location: Potsdam, N.Y.
Eligible Degrees: Bachelor's 

This ceremony takes place at Cheel Campus Center in Cheel Arena on Clarkson University's Potsdam campus at 2:30 p.m. It is open to eligible students in bachelor's programs only. There is a FOUR ticket limit for each graduate, and all graduates must request tickets using PeopleSoft. Cheel Arena is at maximum capacity for this event and the Cheel Barben Rooms are available for live viewing for guests who do not receive tickets. Ticket locations are assigned at random. This ceremony typically lasts approximately two and a half (2.5) hours. A celebratory reception is hosted under a tent on Cheel Lawn directly following the ceremony.

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Capital Region Campus & Beacon Institute Commencement Ceremony

Date/Time: Friday, June 14, 2019; 6 p.m.
Location: Schenectady, N.Y.,
Eligible Degrees: Master's and Advanced Certificates

This ceremony takes place at Proctors Theatre in downtown Schenectady, N.Y. at 6 p.m. It is open to eligible students in master's and advanced certificate programs only. There is no ticketing for this event and graduates may bring unlimited guests. This ceremony typically lasts approximately one hour and 15 minutes (1.25 hours) and a celebratory reception follows directly backstage.

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General Information

  • Students will be sent information from Student Administrative Services (SAS) when they become eligible to graduate at one or more of the ceremonies.
  • Students are required to wear academic regalia at all Commencement ceremonies. Information on purchasing regalia will become available on each Commencement website.
  • At all ceremonies, graduates do NOT receive their diploma. Diplomas are mailed after the Commencement ceremony that the graduate participates in and successful completion of degree requirements.
  • For more information on each ceremony, please follow the links listed above.

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