The Department of Political Science will not be having any in-person graduation events in May 2021.

We will release a special graduation celebration link on Thursday, May 6th at 3:00 PM MST, which will have congratulatory messages from our department Chairs and faculty, and will feature an announcement of all of our Spring 2021 graduates by name!

Class of 2021 graduates (including winter 2020 and spring 2021) are invited to a virtual livestreamed university commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 6th at 12:00 PM MDT. Read more on the Spring Ceremony page.

The university will also be producing a 2021 Commencement Program this year, as they did in the spring of 2020. The program will include all fall 2020 graduates as well as all spring 2021 and summer 2021 degree candidates who have applied to graduate by the April 1, 2021 deadline. They will produce an accessible PDF version as well as provide a request form on the website for graduates and their families/friends to request program(s) be mailed to them. The PDF version will be available by the May 6thcommencement ceremony date, and the printed copies will be mailed in early summer. 

The campus will also be offering several in-person events and opportunities for graduating students, more information can be found Here.

Commencement and department recognition ceremonies – what is the difference?

  • The university commencement ceremony is the campuswide ceremony in which students from all colleges are invited to participate. The chancellor of the Boulder campus officially confers degrees upon graduating students at this ceremony.
  • Department recognition ceremonies are celebrations of students graduating with a degree in that field. A special program is created by the department to recognize the accomplishments of their students. Walking in these ceremonies are restricted to students who've completed 30+ credit hours in PSCI, therefore minors cannot walk in this ceremony. 

Undergraduate students purchase regalia from the CU Book Store either in-store or online, with options for in-store pick-up or shipping. Students are not required to purchase a cap & gown to participate in the livestreamed commencement ceremony. More information can be found on the Commencement website.

Apply for Graduation 

Dates & Deadlines

April 1st, 2021 - Must submit graduation application by this date in order to have your name appear in the campus-wide Commencement program!

April 29th, 2021 - Last day to submit, update, or cancel a graduation application. 

CU Commencement

CU Boulder strives to create an experience that is accessible and accomodates the needs of those with disabilities. 

Accessibility information for our Spring 2021 recognition is TBA.