Commencement FAQs

Answers questions pertaining to Penn State Smeal Commencement.

Spring Commencement 2025

Intent to Graduate

It is important that students who expect to graduate in spring 2025 file their intent to graduate during the determined window (January 2-27, 2025).
Not filing your intent to graduate in the time period (January 2-27, 2025), may mean a delay in receiving email communication regarding spring 2025 plans, including information that will be shared about the possibility of ticketing.

Students who miss the intent to file deadline should email the Smeal College of Business Records Office at smealstugerecords@smeal.psu.edu to learn more about spring plans.
Please note that our college cannot accommodate students who are not officially completing all degree requirements to walk during spring ceremonies for any reason. We do, however, allow students who have not completed all degree requirements to participate in the summer and fall ceremonies.
Please note that our college cannot accommodate past graduates from a previous semester.

Ticketing

Once students file their intent to graduate between January 2-27, 2025, we’ll have a more concrete number of how many students plan to graduate. We plan to share additional information about potential guest limits and tickets early February.
Based on the number we know at this time, we expect each graduate will be able to invite up to six guests based on the capacity of the Bryce Jordan Center. As our actual graduation numbers increase or decrease, the guest limit could change. Please keep in mind that we will also be livestreaming the ceremony
The number of graduates who file their intent to graduate for spring 2025 will determine how many tickets will be permitted per graduate. If there are unclaimed tickets that are not requested, we will give graduates an opportunity to obtain additional tickets later in the semester.
There will not be assigned seating. Seating will be general admission and accessible no earlier than 90 minutes prior to each ceremony.
If a guest requires Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, there will be wheelchair accessible, sight/hearing, or limited mobility tickets available. ADA options will be available when the graduate obtains their tickets and each graduate can select up to four ADA-accessible seats, which allow for companion seating.