Graduation is the completion of all degree requirements in order to be awarded your degree and receive your printed diploma. Commencement is the symbolic ceremony at which your graduation is publicly acknowledged and celebrated. Participation in the Commencement ceremony does not equate to graduating.
You must follow the directions from Registrar's Office for Applying for Graduation. Upon completion of these steps and approval from the Registrar's Office, your graduation status on LEO Online will be changed to "Pending."
Please refer to the Registrar's schedule. Note that not only does applying for graduation on time allow you to receive guest tickets for the Commencement ceremony, but also puts your name in the Commencement program. Graduates who apply after the deadline will not have their names listed in the program. The names of August graduates will appear in the program in the May prior.
It is important that you meet with your academic advisor early in the graduation process to ensure that you meet all of your requirements and necessary deadlines.
Once your graduation status is listed as "Pending," a registration hold is placed on your record and you will be unable to register for classes for future semesters. It is important to notify the Registrar's Office in writing as soon as possible if you will not be graduating so that this hold can be released.
August graduation candidates should attend the May ceremony. The names of the August graduates will appear in the May Commencement program. August graduates must apply for graduation and register for Commencement by February 28.
Yes. You are not automatically registered for Commencement when you apply for graduation, but the Commencement registration is now part of the Application for Graduation. Every graduate who wishes to attend the ceremony must click to check the Commencement checkbox while filling out the graduation application form in LeoOnline. Only graduates who complete the participation registration portion of the graduation application will have guest tickets available to them.
If you apply for graduation and either did not choose to register to participate in the ceremony at that time and wish to do so now, or you wish to cancel your registration, please send an email with your request and your UIN to commencement@odu.edu.
Graduates should report to the check-in area no later than one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. Detailed day-of instructions will be sent to you approximately one week prior to the date of your Commencement ceremony.
Congratulations, Old Dominion University Graduates!
As you prepare for the December 12, 2026 Commencement, Herff Jones will be on campus to provide information about graduation regalia, rings and other commencement products.
Herff Jones on Campus
Representatives from Herff Jones will be available on the following dates to answer questions and provide information about cap and gown orders and class rings.
Thursday, September 17
Noon–2:00 p.m.
Webb Center, North Mall
Cap and Gown Information & Ring Sale
Tuesday, September 22
Noon–2:00 p.m.
Webb Center, North Mall
Cap and Gown Information & Ring Sale
Regalia Pickup at Grad Fair
Thursday, October 29
10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Webb Center
Regalia pickup is available for orders placed online before the deadline of September 27, 2026.
Ring Sale
Tuesday, December 1
12:30 p.m. –1:30 p.m.
Webb Center
Herff Jones representatives will be available for a class ring sale.
Order Your Commencement Products
Visit the links below to order your Old Dominion University graduation products, including commencement regalia and class rings.
Yes. Sign language interpreters will be located on the stage. For other accommodation needs for the deaf or hearing impaired, please contact commencement@odu.edu.
No. Only graduating students may walk in the processional or be seated on the arena floor. All family members must be seated in the guest seating with a ticket.
In the event of inclement weather, details of the weather plan will be shared on the odu.edu homepage at least 24 hours ahead of the ceremony.
Diplomas & Transcripts
- What is the size of the diploma? All Old Dominion University diplomas (bachelors, masters, doctorate) are displayed horizontally (landscape) at 14" x 11".
- What information will appear on the diploma? Your name (as it is on file with the Registrar's Office), your degree (not your major), and your graduation date will appear on your diploma. The University Seal and the signatures of the President and the Rector appear on the diploma as well.
- When will I receive my diploma? Diplomas are mailed 6-8 weeks after graduation to the permanent (home) address on file with the Registrar's Office. It is important that you update this information early in your final semester. May graduates' diplomas should arrive in late June/early July; August graduates' diplomas should arrive mid-October; December graduates' diplomas should arrive mid-February.
- Where do I get information about transcripts? Visit the transcripts page for complete information.