Ceremony Information
On this page:
- Apply for graduation
- Deadlines to apply for graduation
- Ceremony length
- Disability accommodations
- Graduating with honors
- Academic attire
- Getting your diploma (Conferral of Degrees)
- Caps and gowns, announcements invitations, and refunds
- Broadcast information
Apply for Graduation
Follow these steps:
- Log into WINGS Express.
- Select Apply for Graduation.
- Select your Degree. For dual degrees, you must apply separately for each one.
Deadlines to Apply for Graduation
Please note: The commencement scheduled for December 12, 2020, will be a virtual commencement. For students graduating in the Summer and Fall 2020 Semesters, Wright State will broadcast your virtual commencement video on Saturday, December 12, 2020. You will be notified via email when the video link is live, so that you may invite your family and friends to join in the celebration.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate and Graduate Deadline to Apply for Graduation | Friday, September 11, 2020 |
| Graduation / Commencement | Saturday, December 12, 2020 |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate and Graduate Deadline to Apply for Graduation | Friday, January 22, 2021 |
| Graduation / Commencement | Saturday, May 1, 2021 |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Graduation / Commencement | Saturday, December 11, 2021 |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Graduation / Commencement | Saturday, April 30, 2022 |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Graduation / Commencement | Saturday, December 10, 2022 |
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Graduation / Commencement | Saturday, April 29, 2023 |
Ceremony Length
The virtual ceremony will last approximately 35 minutes. Additional time will vary for graduate names to be called by college.
Disability Accommodations
Closed captioning will be used during the virtual commencement ceremony.
Wright State University recognizes the needs of guests with disabilities as defined by the American Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. We continue to make every effort to comply with state and federal accessibility regulations and make reasonable accommodations for guests with disabilities.
Graduating with Honors
Latin Honors
Undergraduate students with outstanding academic records are recognized at commencement. Three distinctions are made: summa cum laude (Latin for with highest honors) recognizes a cumulative GPA of at least 3.9; magna cum laude (Latin for with high honors) indicates a cumulative GPA of at least 3.7; and cum laude (Latin for with honors) indicates a final cumulative GPA of at least 3.5.
Academic honors are based on meeting the minimum honors GPA requirement for work attempted at Wright State University, as well as for all transfer college work accepted, as of the end of the term in which the student graduates; (that is, by the day on which term grades are due). This recalculation of the GPA may result in the student's Wright State transcript GPA not matching the student's Latin Honors eligibility. To be eligible for academic honors at graduation, students must have earned at least 30 credit hours at Wright State University.
Students who hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, including Wright State, and who earn a second baccalaureate degree at Wright State per the academic policy requirements for second degrees, are eligible for Latin honors. Latin honors are based on all course work at Wright State University attempted for the second degree following and excluding the first-degree course work.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the printed program with respect to degrees awarded and honors conferred. The honors indicated in the program are based upon the student’s grade point average at the end of the semester preceding the semester of graduation. The appearance of a name in the list of degree candidates is not to be regarded as conclusive since some final grades are not submitted until after commencement. The student’s permanent academic record (transcript) is the official record.
university Honors Program
Students who have successfully completed one of the curricular tracks in the University Honors Program will receive an Honors medallion. Please contact honors@wright.edu for more information on the medallion.
Academic Attire
The academic robe is different for each of the awards presented—undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate. The hoods or tassels represent the college, school, or major field in which the student is receiving the degree. Following are the color designations for each college, school or discipline:
- Graduate School, graduate-level – Black
- Post-Graduate School, postgraduate level – Gold
- Boonshoft School of Medicine – Green
- School of Professional Psychology – Royal Blue
- *College of Engineering and Computer Science – Orange or Yellow
- *College of Science and Mathematics – Yellow
- Raj Soin College of Business – Drab
- College of Liberal Arts – White
- College of Education and Human Services – Light Blue
- College of Nursing and Health – Apricot
*NOTE: The proper color for all "Sciences" is Golden Yellow, with the exception for engineering students, for whom the proper color is Orange.
You should wear the color (and gown) of the highest level degree you are receiving.
Getting Your Diploma (Conferral of Degrees)
Since our commencement ceremonies immediately follow final exams, we are not able to certify the completion of graduation requirements prior to commencement. Therefore, Wright State University does not distribute diplomas at its ceremonies.
Diplomas
All diplomas will be mailed to the graduate’s current address on file. Please note: it may take 6-8 weeks after commencement to receive your diploma.
Visit the RaiderConnect website to learn more about receiving your diploma.
Caps and Gowns, Announcements, Invitations, and Refunds
Keepsake caps and gowns will be available in the bookstore up to the day before the Commencement Ceremony. The gowns are black for graduate students and green for undergraduate. To ensure availability and correct fit, you are encouraged to purchase yours early. Please note: if you do not purchase your cap and gown from the WSU Bookstore, please be sure you obtain the correct color for your gown, tassel, and/or hood.
Refunds
- For regalia that was purchased at the bookstore, graduates will have through October 2, 2020, to return their regalia for a full refund. The items must be unworn, in original packaging/condition, and with original receipt. Graduates can check out shopwrightstate.com for updated store hours/contact information.
- For regalia that was purchased through Herff Jones, please contact www.herffjones.com/collegereturns for return policy information.
Please contact the bookstore directly with questions (937) 775-5600 or go to www.wright.bncollege.com.
Broadcast Information
Video Broadcast
Wright State will broadcast your virtual commencement video on Saturday, October 24, 2020. Graduates will be notified via email when the video link is live, so that they may invite their family and friends to join in the celebration.
Watch On-Demand
In addition to the broadcast, Wright State will also keep the broadcast saved on its website for up to one year after the ceremony. These videos are available in the Commencements playlist in the On-Demand Videos Player. Select the link and then browse to the desired video.
