Philadelphia Graduation
This commencement ceremony serves students who have completed academic requirements by the Dec or May graduation cycles. Here, you’ll find all the information you’ll need to prepare for your commencement ceremony. Share this link with your family and loved ones who may have questions about where to go and what time the festivities begin.
If you have any questions about which ceremony location or date to attend, please contact the Registrar’s Office.
Saturday, May 13, 2023
Commencement Service Held:
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Deliverance Evangelistic Church
2001 W. Lehigh Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19132
Commencement Speaker: Bishop Eric A. Lambert, Jr. serves as the Bishop at Bethel Deliverance International Church, Wyncote, PA
Did You Apply for Graduation?
If you are planning on graduating in May, you must submit the Graduation Application by the deadline.
January 15
Have You Ordered Your Graduation Regalia?
Any one planning on participating in the June Commencement Ceremony must order your regalia by the deadline.
April 1
Quick Links
These are the media services available after graduation day. The video/photos will be uploaded a few working days after this event.
Commencement Video Uploaded
Graduation Photo to Download
Graduation Events
Graduates, please take note of these details for the events of graduation.
- 8:15 a.m. – Arrive with Regalia
- 8:30 a.m. – MANDATORY, Rehearsal for all graduates
- 9:30 a.m. – Doors open to guests
- 10 a.m. – Commencement Ceremony
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where do I pick up my cap and gown?
TBA
What should I wear to the ceremony?
Women should wear a dress or a skirt and blouse, and men should wear a dress shirt and tie. It is a formal occasion, so no sandals or flip-flops.
What is the GPA requirement for honors? When do I receive the honors?
The GPA range is: 3.50-3.74 for Cum Laude (red stole), 3.75-3.89 for Magna Cum Laude (white stole) or 3.90-4.00 for Summa Cum Laude (gold stole).
Will I keep my cap and gown? What do I need to return?
The regalia is yours to keep. When you pick up your packet of regalia, it should include your robe, your cap, a tassel with the graduation year, and where appropriate, the hood that marks your study area and degree level. Hoods are given for bachelor, masters and doctoral degrees.
Holds prevent me from receiving my actual diploma - How do I take care of a hold?
If you owe a fine at the library, for parking, if you have an academic requirement still to meet, or if you have a financial obligation related to tuition or fees, a hold is placed on your account. Holds prevent your diploma and transcripts from being released. To find out about any holds or to otherwise address them, please contact the Solution Center at 717.560.8254 or by email. The Solution Center is open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday.
When will I get my diploma?
If you have no holds on your account, diplomas will be sent to you electronically on the day of graduation and then a hard copy will be mailed to you within a couple of weeks of the ceremony.
Which ceremony should I attend? Where? When?
The graduation cycles for all locations occur every December, Spring/May, and August.
WHERE – You would attend the ceremony that takes place at the hub for your studies. For example, if you were an Online Accelerated student, your “hub” is Lancaster, PA. If you are a graduate level student who lives in Philadelphia, you would actually attend the Lancaster, PA ceremony because the ceremony in Philadelphia is for undergraduate degrees. If you took all of your studies through the Washington DC location, you would attend the Washington DC ceremony. If you have any questions about which ceremony location or date to attend, please contact the Registrar’s Office.
WHEN – Typically, you would attend the ceremony that coincides with or follows your actual academic completion date, i.e. after your last academic requirements are met. In some cases, if completion is imminent, students may walk in the preceding ceremony and receive their diploma by mail once all is complete. Here is an outline:
- Lancaster – May graduates walk in May. August and December grads walk in December.
- Washington DC – May graduates walk in May. August graduates may walk in preceding or following May ceremony. December graduates would walk in following May ceremony.
- Philadelphia – June graduates walk in June. August graduates may walk in preceding or following May ceremony. December graduates would walk in following June ceremony.
If you have any questions about which ceremony location or date to attend, please contact the Registrar’s Office.