Graduation Information

First Thing's First...

  • Capitol Technology University commencement is conducted once every spring on the main campus in Laurel.
  • Commencement is held outdoors, rain or shine.
  • There is no maximum number of guests a student is able to invite and we do not issue tickets. If the number of guests supplied on your application for graduation changes, please notify the Office of Registration and Records as soon as possible.
  • Since this page contains plenty of information please consider using Ctrl + F to help you navigate the page more easily by making the page searchable.

Degrees and Diplomas

Conferral of Degrees and Diploma Distribution

The university confers degrees three times each year. Summer degrees are conferred in late August, fall degrees are conferred in late December and spring conferral dates coincide with the Spring university commencement ceremony. Diplomas for conferred students with no holds on their accounts from the Business Office and/or Financial Aid will typically be shipped within 8 weeks of the end of the semester for summer and fall graduates and within 8 weeks of commencement for spring graduates. 
 
Spring graduate diplomas are not distributed on campus following commencement - ALL diplomas will be mailed.
 
Student account balances (including graduation fees) must be paid and all financial aid obligations must be met before diplomas can be mailed. Please inform the Office of Registration and Records of any changes to your diploma mailing address as soon as possible.

Application for Graduation

It is recommended that you apply for graduation no later than one semester before your expected graduation date. It is strongly recommended that you apply for graduation once you meet the following criteria:
  • Associate: Upon earning 45+ credits
  • Bachelor:  Upon earning 90+ credits
  • Master: Upon earning 24+ credits.
  • Doctoral: Required prior to requesting to defend your dissertation.

Application Deadlines:

January 4th for spring and summer graduates

August 31st for fall graduates

 

Once your application has been received by the Office of Registration and Records, your official degree audit will be completed indicating the classes still needed in order to graduate. A student will only be considered a degree candidate when the above procedures are complete. If you change your plans for graduation, please notify the Office of Registration and Records in writing as soon as possible. 
 

Graduation Fees

You must pay your graduation fee before you can receive your diploma. The graduation fee is mandatory, non-refundable, one-time (per degree) fee for all graduating students regardless of the student's participation in the commencement ceremony.

Associate's Degree: $75
Bachelor's, Master's and Doctoral Degree: $150
Two Bachelor's Degrees (double degree): $225
 
You can make payments to the Business Office online by phone or in person. The Business Office accepts cash, personal checks, money orders, Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. Credit card payments can be made online or by phone.
 
1. Over the Phone 
Manager of Student Accounts: (301) 369-2318 or (301) 369-2319
 
2. Online
To make a payment online, follow the instructions below:

Graduation Requirements

After applying for graduation, you must satisfy the following requirements in order to graduate:

1. Complete your degree. All graduates must successfully complete the course requirements of their chosen degree. Refer to the course catalog from your entry year for degree requirements and other academic obligations. Course catalogs can be found here: University Catalogs

2. Settle your financial accounts. Before receiving a diploma, each student must fulfill all financial responsibilities. Contact the offices below before applying for graduation to ensure that you have no outstanding obligations to the university:

    • Business Office (businessoffice@CapTechU.edu) 301-369-2319/301-369-2318
    • Financial Aid (finaid@CapTechU.edu) - 301-369-2324 or 301-369-2320
    • Residence Life (residencelife@CapTechU.edu) - 240-965-2493
In addition, all students are obligated to complete the following tasks before receiving a diploma and/or official transcripts:
  1. Complete the online exit interview with Financial Aid (financial aid recipients only).
  2. Complete your Graduating Student Survey:
    Undergraduate Survey Link
    Master's Survey Link
    Doctoral Survey Link

Failure to complete these tasks will exclude you from participating in the graduation ceremony. 

Commemorative Keepsakes and Announcements

Photography

Classic Photography provides individual portraits of each graduate receiving their diploma. Ordering options will also be available on Classic's website: https://classic-photo.com/

Click "Graduations" and then click "Order Pictures" and find Capitol Technology University in the drop down menu. You can reach Classic customer service at 800-869-9515.

 

Spring 2023 candid photos from commencement are now available on Capitol's Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=captechu&set=a.702154921913980

 

Diploma Frames

Church Hill Classics offers diploma frames bearing the university seal. Please be mindful when selecting your product(s) that all diplomas are 11"X 14" in landscape orientation.

Graduation Announcements

Students interested in purchasing announcements are welcome to order their own announcements through Jostens. To order announcements, click JOSTENS. On the homepage, click on Shop Products at my School/Group and search for Capitol Technology University. Select 'Graduation Announcements' and follow the website instructions for ordering. Announcements are available in a variety of packages and take three weeks to process.

Campus Map

Disclaimer

Please note that all information found on this page is tentative and may be subject to change.

Commencement Procedures

Commencement Dates

2025

May 3, 2025

Depending on the number of graduates who choose to participate, the ceremony typically lasts two hours.

Commencement Schedule

FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2025
 
Doctoral Degree Hooding Ceremony | 4 p.m. - Avrum Gudelsky Auditorium
- Check in at the Library at 3 p.m.
- Please bring your regalia.

Seating may be limited. If you plan to bring more than 4 guests, we encourage you to limit the number of seats your party uses 3 or 4 for this event. Once the processional ends ushers will assist those without seats to any remaining available seats. 

 Reception for All Graduates | 5 p.m.  - McGowan Hall
- Bring your guests and join your classmates, faculty, staff, and alumni for refreshments and conversation in celebration of your distinct and well-deserved accomplishments. 
 
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025
 
Check In | 8 a.m.
-It is imperative that graduates arrive on time to check in. Check-in is located in the Avrum Gudelsky Auditorium. Once you have checked in, you must remain in the auditorium. During check-in you will receive your name card used to announce you on stage. Do not lose this card.

Processional Preparation| 8:30 a.m.
-This time will be used to ensure your cap, gown and hood are on properly.

Roll Call and Line Up | 9:30 a.m.
-This will occur in the auditorium. Weather permitting, the line up will be outside of the building. You will be lined up alphabetically by degree program.

Processional Begins | 9:45 a.m. 
-The university marshal will lead the processional followed by the stage guests, trustees, faculty, candidates for undergraduate degrees, master's degrees and doctoral degrees. For the recessional, the stage participants will exit first and the graduates will follow them.
 

Special Guests/Accommodations

Special Accommodations:
Students requiring special assistance at commencement should email deanofstudents@captechu.edu   or call The Dean of Students at 240-965-2497 as soon as possible.
 
International Guests
If you have guests from overseas and need visa invitation letters, notify the Office of Registration and Records. The request should be made at your earliest convenience.

Campus Map

Commencement Live Stream Video

For graduates and their families unable to attend the ceremony, it will be broadcast live online. Stream the ceremony live or watch it later at
https://www.youtube.com/c/capitoltechnologyuniversity

Student Responsibilities To Do List

Bachelor's and Master's Graduates
December graduates are invited to participate in the spring commencement ceremony following their term of completion.

Undergraduate and master's students planning to complete all degree requirements by the end of the summer semester are permitted to take part in spring commencement ceremonies as degree candidates. If a student is not enrolled by April 15 for all their remaining courses, permission to participate in the ceremony as a degree candidate will not be granted.

Doctoral Graduates
Doctoral students must complete all degree requirements in order to participate in the commencement ceremony. Students completing their degree requirements in August or December are invited to participate in the commencement ceremony the following spring.
 
CHECKLIST FOR ALL GRADUATES

Before graduation, the following actions must be completed. Diplomas and transcripts will not be issued to students who have outstanding library books or fines, outstanding balance in the Business Office, or for Financial Aid recipients who have not completed online exit counseling.

o       Fulfill all financial obligations to the university including the graduation fee

o       Complete Financial Aid exit interview (financial aid recipients only). Information regarding the exit interview will be sent separately.

o       Complete Residence Life expectations (Residence Life students only)

o       Complete the Graduating Student Survey. The links are provided for each student division below:

All doctoral recipients/candidates should complete the Survey of Earned Doctorates, which is funded by the National Science Foundation. This link will take to an external site where you can register to complete the survey.

 

REGALIA 

Regalia for undergraduate and master's students will be available for pick-up at check-in on commencement morning. Regalia will not be mailed to you prior to commencement.  Regalia consists of your cap, gown, hood, tassel, and any honor cords. (Honor cords will be distributed at check in on commencement morning). 
 

Doctoral students are responsible for ordering their own regalia.  To order your doctoral regalia from our vendor, Oak Hall Cap and Gown, please visit https://captechu.shopoakhalli.com/

For customer service, please call 1-800-223-0429 and ask for the Customs Department.

It is recommended to order doctoral regalia at least two months prior to commencement. Doctoral students must have Capitol Technology University doctoral regalia to participate in the commencement ceremony. Doctoral regalia is custom-made so all sales are final.

Printables

Graduation Printables

It's time to Decorate and Celebrate with Graduation Printables!

Click the link below to download and print graduation posters, yard signs, and social media graphics to share your success with friends and family:

Spring 2024 Commencement Print & Digital Assets.zip (dropbox.com)

 

Directions and Local Lodging

Directions to Campus

For information regarding driving directions, maps, and airports, click Visit Campus

Local Lodging Options

For your convenience, contact information for local hotels in Laurel and the surrounding area is listed here.