Graduation Information

Commencement Procedures

Commencement Dates

Commencement will take place as follows:
 
We will be hosting an in-person commencement at our campus in Laurel, Maryland on October 9, 2021 with a ceremony for the class of 2021 taking place at 10 am and a ceremony for the class of 2020 taking place at 4 pm.

You belong to the Class of 2020 if you are a Fall 2019, Spring 2020 or Summer 2020 graduate. You belong to the Class of 2021 if you are a Fall 2020, Spring 2021 or Summer 2021 graduate. To ensure safety and for attendance management purposes, students will only be permitted to participate in the ceremony for their graduating class.

All attendees will be required to wear masks and adhere to all COVID-19 safety protocols during the scheduled events.

 

Commencement Schedule

Please note:  The following schedule of events reflects our standard commencement schedule and procedure.  It may be necessary to modify this schedule and/or the order of events to comply with state and local health guidelines in place at the time of the postponed ceremony.  More detailed information will be posted as it becomes available.
 
Commencement ceremonies are held outdoors, rain or shine. Currently, there is no maximum number of guests a student is able to invite to the commencement ceremony but this may change if capacity restrictions are imposed due to COVID. On the graduation application, students should have indicated their total number of guests. If this number changes, please contact the Office of Registration and Records as soon as possible.
 
Commencement Schedule:
CLASS OF 2021
Check In | 8 a.m.
-It is imperative that you 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. Do not lose this card.

Regalia Fitting| 8:30 a.m.
-This time will be used to ensure your cap and gown are on properly.

Roll Call and Line Up | 9:30 a.m.
-This will occur outside of room 244. 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 leave first, and the graduates will follow them.
 
CLASS OF 2020
Check In | 2 p.m.
-It is imperative that you 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. Do not lose this card.

Regalia Fitting| 2:30 p.m.
-This time will be used to ensure your cap and gown are on properly.

Roll Call and Line Up | 3:30 p.m.
-This will occur outside of room 244. You will be lined up alphabetically by degree program.

Processional Begins | 3:45 p.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 leave first, and the graduates will follow them.
 

Special Guests/Accommodations

Special Accommodations:
Students requiring special assistance at commencement should email accessibility@captechu.edu or call The Dean of Students at 240-965-2490 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.

Commencement Live Stream Video

For graduates and their families unable to attend the ceremony, it will be broadcast live online. A link will be posted closer to the October ceremony.

Attending Commencement To Do List

Students must complete all degree requirements in order to participate in the commencement ceremony.  Students completing their degree requirements in December 2021 are invited to participate in the commencement ceremony the following May.
 
CHECKLIST FOR GRADUATION ATTENDEES

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

o       Return all materials borrowed from Puente Library

o       Pay 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. Information on how to complete the survey will be sent separately.
 
o       Pick up regalia (details below) 

REGALIA
Regalia is the formal attire required for the commencement ceremony and consists of your cap, gown, hood, tassel, and any honor cords you may have earned. Regalia will be distributed at check in on commencement morning. Undergraduate and master's students provide their measurements for regalia on their graduation applications and it is ordered by the school on their behalf. You must present valid photo ID at time of pick up. Regalia will not be mailed to you prior to commencement. If you are unable to pick up your regalia before commencement, it will be issued to you during 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 Nicole Cabbler in 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.

NOT attending commencement To Do list

CHECKLIST FOR GRADUATION NON-ATTENDEES

All students must complete the following items before Commencement:

□       Fulfill all financial obligations to the university. This means that students should contact the Business Office, the Office of Financial Aid, the Office of Residence Life (if applicable) and the Puente Library to be certain that they have no outstanding obligations.

□       Pay graduation fee

□       Complete the Financial Aid Exit Interview (financial aid students only).

□       Complete the Graduating Student Survey. Information on how to complete the survey is sent separately.