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 (June): April 1
- Fall Graduation (November): September 1
- Winter Graduation (February): December 1
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.
Before the Ceremony
Check Dates for Your Convocation
Verify the date and time of your ceremony. The time will also be sent to you in an email to your Carleton email account when you receive your Senate email confirming your graduation in early June.
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 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.
Special Accommodations
If you are a graduand requiring special accommodation, please contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@carleton.ca to discuss the details of the day’s ceremony.
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 will also be sent to you in an email to your Carleton email account when you receive your Senate email confirming your graduation in early June.
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.
Masks
It is strongly recommended that all attendees wear a mask when attending Convocation as a way to protect themselves from COVID-19.
Arrival Time and Registration for your Ceremony
You must arrive early and register in the Norm Fenn Gymnasium for your ceremony to join the student lineup. 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.
During the Ceremony
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.
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 Graduate Storage Area located in the hallway (just outside of the Norm Fenn Gymnasium). The area will be staffed for 45 minutes following the last ceremony and, after this time, any unclaimed items will be brought to the Welcome Centre in Alumni Hall.
Electronic devices should be turned off during the ceremony.
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. Please note, guests will not be allowed in the Norm Fenn Gymnasium.
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.
Reception
Immediately following the ceremony, there will be a reception for you and your guests in the Ravens’ Nest (Alumni Hall).
After Convocation
Not Attending Convocation?
If you are unable to attend the ceremony, your diploma will be available for pick-up shortly after the ceremony in the Registrar’s Office (300 Tory Building) for a 2 week time period. Diplomas can be picked up with a picture ID or by a third party. For more information, please visit our Graduation Information website.
For Graduate students, your diploma will be available for pick-up at the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs (512 Tory Building) until December 1, 2022. After December 1, your diploma 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. If proofs are not received within one month following Convocation, please contact Grad Images at 1-800-372-3686 or through their website at gradimages.com.
Lost and Found
Lost and found services will be located at the information tent in Alumni Hall. If you are inquiring after convocation, please contact the Registrar’s Office.