Apply to Graduate
In order to graduate you must have completed or be in the process of completing all requirements for your degree program and apply to graduate by the following deadlines:
- Spring Graduation: April 1
- Fall Graduation: August 31
- Winter Graduation: November 30*
After you have applied to graduate, the status of your application will indicate “PENDING.” This status will remain until Senate meets to award degrees. After the Senate meeting, the outcome of your application will be sent to your Carleton email account and the result will also be updated in Carleton Central.
*Winter graduates will receive an email to their Carleton cmail account (via Carleton360) by mid-May providing further details, including their specific ceremony date and time. Any graduates needing accommodations for Convocation should contact the Registrar’s Office.
Before the Ceremony
Check Dates for Your Convocation
Verify the date and time of your ceremony. The time of your Convocation ceremony will also be included in the email you receive to your Carleton email account that confirms your degree has been awarded by Senate.
Check Your Diploma Name
You should verify your name prior to graduating. Go into Carleton Central via Carleton360, select Student Online Applications, and choose Apply to Graduate. Your name is listed under “Display Name” and this is how it will appear on your diploma. If your legal name contains special characters like accents, raised characters, or hyphens that you would like reflected on your diploma, please complete a Name Change Request form (pdf, 176 kb) and submit it to registrar@carleton.ca from your Carleton email account.
If you want to add or remove part of your legal name, you must complete a Name Change Request form and provide supporting documentation as referenced on the form. Submit the completed form to registrar@carleton.ca from your Carleton email account.
If you want to use a chosen name that differs from your legal name, please complete a Name Change Request form and submit the completed form to registrar@carleton.ca from your Carleton email account.
Accessible Accommodations
If you are a graduand requiring accessible accommodation, please contact the Registrar’s Office to discuss the details of the day’s ceremony.
Please note, only graduands receiving their degree may cross the Convocation stage. Further information related to permitted Service animals can be obtained by contacting Environmental Health and Safety or by reviewing the Domestic Animals on Campus Policy.
Check your Student Account
Ensure that all outstanding tuition charges and any other fees or fines have been paid before the deadline in order for your graduation documentation to be released. Check your student account balance through Carleton360. Any inquiries should be directed to the Business Office at student_accounts@carleton.ca or by phone at 613-520-3626.
Ph.D. Students
Ph.D. students wishing to be hooded by their supervisor are asked to contact their supervisor directly.
Day of Ceremony
Check the Schedule
Verify the date and time of your ceremony. The time of your Convocation ceremony will also be included in the email you receive to your Carleton email account that confirms your degree has been awarded by Senate.
Leave Personal Belongings with a Guest
Graduands are not permitted to carry items during the ceremony. Please leave items such as purses and cameras with a guest. If you are unable to leave your personal items with anyone, you can leave them at the Graduating Students Storage located in the Ice House hallways (just outside of the Norm Fenn Gymnasium). The area will be staffed for 30 minutes following the last ceremony.
Electronic devices should be turned off during the ceremony.
Arrival Time and Registration for your Ceremony
You must arrive early and register in the Norm Fenn Gymnasium (located beside the Ice House) for your ceremony to join the student procession. Registration will begin one hour prior to each ceremony and ends 15 minutes prior to the ceremony start time. Students who do not register between these times may not be able to join the student procession. Please remember to bring your campus card for registration purposes. If you do not have your campus card, please have your student number ready with a form of ID when you arrive at the registration table.
If you have concerns with the pronunciation of your name, please self-identify when you register in the Norm Fenn Gymnasium (located beside the Ice House).
Gown Pick-up
Gowns and Hoods will be available at the same location where you arrive to register. All regalia is to be returned before departing to the Express Drop-Off Kiosks in the Ravens’ Nest.
Regalia Guidelines
Academic Regalia: The convocation ceremony is a momentous occasion that symbolizes academic achievement and scholarly excellence. As such, graduating students are provided with a hood and gown representing Carleton’s academic dress. In line with Carleton University’s values of inclusivity and respect for all, we kindly ask that no additional regalia such as sashes, stoles, signs, pins, hats, sports team items, flags or any other external affiliations be displayed on the regalia during the convocation ceremony. This is to ensure that all participants feel equally represented and respected during this collective celebration of academic accomplishment.
Once the formal ceremony has ended and students have exited the fieldhouse, graduates are welcome to add personal items to their regalia for photos and celebrations.
Exceptions for Indigenous Graduands: Indigenous graduands are permitted to wear traditional Indigenous attire or regalia in lieu of a gown. This exception is permitted as part of the commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and is rooted in the Calls to Action as part of this initiative. It is meant to celebrate and honor the cultural heritage and contributions of Indigenous students.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in upholding the values of inclusion and respect during the convocation ceremony. By adhering to the regalia guidelines, we can ensure that this occasion remains a meaningful and inclusive experience for all participants.
Line-up Instructions
Graduands will line up based on surname and degree. You will be given instructions regarding the procession once you are at the Norm Fenn Gymnasium (located beside the Ice House). Please note, guests will not be allowed in the Norm Fenn Gymnasium.
During the Ceremony
Please note, only graduands receiving their degree may cross the Convocation stage.
Once you have crossed the stage and received your diploma, out of respect for the other graduates and their families, we request that you return to your seat until the full Convocation ceremony has ended.
Students requiring accessible accommodations can email registrar@carleton.ca. Further information related to permitted service animals can be obtained by contacting Environmental Health and Safety at ehs@carleton.ca or by reviewing the policy here.
Professional Pictures
Professional photographs will be taken backstage after you cross the stage. The proofs from your graduation ceremony will be sent to your Carleton email account approximately two weeks after Convocation.
Personal information collected through your application to graduate will be used and disclosed by Carleton University under the authority of the Carleton University Act, 1952, and in accordance with sections 39, 41 and 42 of Ontario’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The purpose of this is to provide the photography company with your Carleton email in order to provide you with your convocation photos. If you have any questions about the processing of personal information by Carleton University, please contact the Manager, Privacy & Access to Information, by phone at 613-520-2600 ext. 2047 or by e-mail via University_Privacy_Office@carleton.ca.
Reception
Immediately following the ceremony, there will be a reception for you and your guests in the Ravens’ Nest (Alumni Hall).
Checklist for Graduating Students
Graduating students must complete the checklist for graduating students when arriving for their Convocation ceremony.
After Convocation
Not Attending Convocation?
If you are unable to attend the Fall ceremony, diplomas can be picked up beginning November 12, 2024, until June 30, 2025, in the Registrar’s Office (300 Tory Building). Diplomas can be picked up with a picture ID or by a third party. Unclaimed diplomas and medals will be mailed in July 2025. For more information, please visit our Graduation Information website.
For Graduate students, your diploma will be available for pick-up at Graduate Studies (512 Tory Building) beginning November 13, 2024, until November 29, 2024. Unclaimed diplomas will be mailed to the mailing address listed on Carleton Central. Please review your address on Carleton Central via Carleton360 to ensure it is correct.
Professional Pictures and Video
The proofs from your graduation ceremony will be sent to your Carleton email account approximately two weeks after Convocation.
Lost and Found
Lost and found services will be located at the Athletics Welcome Desk in Alumni Hall. If you are inquiring about a lost item after Convocation, please contact the Registrar’s Office.