Graduation

Graduation is the culmination of a degree-seeking student's academic career at Rice University. The following information may be helpful to prepare for this milestone. Students should routinely monitor their Rice email address for communications regarding Commencement and graduation.

• Commencement
• Participation
• Before Commencement
• After Commencement
• Contact Information

Commencement

While Rice degrees are conferred three times per academic year (December, May, and August), Commencement Ceremonies take place twice per year: December (Fall) and May (Spring).

• Fall 2026 Commencement: Monday, December 7, 2026, at Tudor Fieldhouse
• Spring 2027 Commencement: Friday and Saturday, May 7-8, 2027, including the following events:
  • Friday, May 7, 2027
    • Jones School (MBA) Commencement Ceremony, held in the afternoon at Tudor Fieldhouse
  • Saturday, May 8, 2027
    • Doctoral Commencement Ceremony, held in the morning at Tudor Fieldhouse
    • Advanced Degree Commencement Ceremony, held in the afternoon at Tudor Fieldhouse
    • Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony, held in the evening at Rice Stadium

Participation

Degree candidates can participate (and "walk across the stage") in one Commencement Ceremony, either in December or May. Summer and Fall degree recipients can choose to attend the Fall Commencement Ceremony, or wait until the following Spring Commencement Ceremonies. Those who participate in the December Commencement Ceremony will not have the option to participate in the May Commencement Ceremony.

Students who wish to participate (or "walk") in Commencement before they fully complete degree requirements must submit a request.

• Undergraduate students submit the Undergraduate Request to Participate in Commencement to the Office of Division of Student Life and Undergraduate Education.
• Graduate students (Professional and Non-Thesis Master’s Degree Programs) contact gradcommencement@rice.edu for guidance.

Please Note: no petition is required to participate in Commencement during the semester of expected graduation or after completing degree requirements.

Before Commencement

• Students planning to graduate must formally apply for graduation by submitting the Application for Degree by the deadline published in the Academic Calendar.
• Information regarding event schedules, ticketing, RSVP, accessibility accommodations, Rice rings, photography, invitations, and more can be found on the official Rice Commencement website.
• Degree candidates must order Regalia to be worn at the Commencement ceremony by the stated deadlines. To order regalia, please visit https://www.buildagrad.com/rice. The Rice University Campus Store can also provide assistance.
• Graduation FAQs can be found here.
• Additional guidance can be found on the Preparing for Graduation page.

After Commencement

• Instructions for obtaining the diploma (or ordering a replacement diploma) can be found on the Diploma Information and Diploma FAQs pages.
• Degree recipients automatically join the Association of Rice Alumni. Visit alumni.rice.edu/connect or alumni.rice.edu to get involved.

Contact Information

• General Commencement questions can be directed to commencement@rice.edu or by calling 713-348-2112.
• Degree candidates should contact their residential college coordinator (undergraduate students) or graduate program administrator (graduate students) regarding Commencement.
• Questions regarding graduation requirements or diplomas can be directed to registrar@rice.edu.