Info for Graduate Students

To be eligible to earn an advanced degree, students must fulfill appropriate requirements as established by their academic department and the Graduate School, and have an approved candidacy application. 

Note: Please submit paperwork first to your department and allow time for review before Graduate School deadlines.

Go to the Graduate School’s website for complete information on upcoming Graduate School deadlines →

Mark Your Calendars: 2026 Ceremonies for Graduates 

Students must have submitted their graduation application through Buff Portal to be eligible to graduate and participate in commencement ceremonies.

⭐ University Commencement (May 2)

The University of Colorado Boulder will host the spring 2026 University Commencement Ceremony at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at Folsom Field.

⭐  CMDI Recognition Ceremonies (May 3)

CU Boulder colleges, schools, departments and programs also will celebrate the Class of 2026 with individual recognition ceremonies. 

  • CMDI's graduation recognition ceremony will be held at 8 a.m. Sunday, May 3, at the CU Events Center. Graduates must arrive by 7 a.m.
  • Doors open for seating at 7 a.m. No tickets are required to attend.
  • Following the ceremony, join us for a reception at Engebretson Quad. The reception is from 10 to 11 a.m. Light refreshments will be served.

The Department of Environmental Design will also host a recognition ceremony on Sunday, May 3.

  • 2 to 4 p.m. in the Upper Gymnasium of the CU Recreation Center. Graduates must arrive by 1 p.m.
  • Doors open for seating at 1 p.m. No tickets are required to attend.
  • A reception in the same location will immediately follow the ceremony.
  • More details can be found on the ENVD graduation page.

You must RSVP in order to attend either (or both) of these ceremonies.

 

Regalia Information for Ceremony Days

CMCI students at the spring recognition ceremony

Plan ahead for your graduation regalia.

To participate in either the CU or CMDI ceremonies, you must wear academic regalia. You can purchase your regalia from the CU Book Store.

  Learn more 

Spring 2026 Graduates

To be eligible to earn an advanced degree, students must fulfill appropriate requirements as established by their academic department and the Graduate School, and have an approved candidacy application. 

Note: Please submit paperwork first to your department and allow time for review before Graduate School deadlines.

Go to the Graduate School’s website for complete information on upcoming Graduate School deadlines →

Summer and Winter 2026 Graduates

To participate in the May 2026 graduation ceremonies, graduate students who plan to have their degrees awarded in August must apply to graduate via Buff Portal by April 1. 

  • Though you plan to participate in a May ceremony, please select summer 2026 as the semester of graduation, if that is when your degree will be awarded.
  • Note: PhD students must also enter their dissertation title as part of the graduation application.
  • To be included in CMDI’s May 3 ceremony, you must alsocomplete this form by April 1. 

If you do not want to participate in the May 2026 graduation ceremonies, the deadline to apply to graduate via Buff Portal is June 15. 

See the full list of graduation requirements and deadlines on the Graduate School’s website. There are different requirements for master’s students and PhD students.

Check the Graduate School’s website for a full list of graduation requirements and deadlines as they are made available. There will be different requirements for master’s students and PhD students.

Have additional questions? Check out these Graduation FAQs →