Eligibility to Participate in the Graduate School Ceremony

Degree conferral is separate from participating in the Graduation Ceremony. Degrees are conferred three times a year, December, May and August. More information about degree conferral can be found at 
http://www.luc.edu/gradschool/academics_policies.shtml#degree_conferral

Because there is only one commencement ceremony per year, students are eligible to participate in the May 2013 commencement ceremony if:

• They had an August 2012 degree conferral and did NOT participate in May 2012 ceremony;
• They had a December 2012 degree conferral;
• They have applied for a May 2013 degree conferral (application due December 1, 2012) and
  • Completed all Ph.D. degree requirements by April 1, 2013; or
  • Completed all Master's degree requirements by May 10, 2013 at 5 p.m. Students with a MA or MS thesis must also have final copies turned in by April 1, 2013.
• They have applied for an August 2013 degree conferral (application due February 1, 2013) and
  • Successfully defended a dissertation by April 27, 2013 at noon; or
  • Are in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. or Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program and are completing their internship during Summer 2013 and have turned in their final copies by the April 1, 2013 deadline; or
  • Have one remaining requirement for a master’s degree (e.g., one course, comprehensive examinations, a project, or a thesis) and plan to complete this requirement during Summer 2013 (students in this category must have the director of the masters program confirm to the Graduate School by April 26 that the student will complete the requirement during Summer 2013).

Graduate School Commencement Student Speaker

Candidates interested in delivering the Graduate School Student Commencement Speech should apply by Friday, March 29, 2013. The student should be a part of the graduation ceremony on May 10.  Ideally, the speech should reflect on the experiences of graduates at a Jesuit university.

The student speech is between 3-5 minutes in length which is equivalent to about 700-850 words.  Interested candidates should file a letter of intent, along with a draft of their speech, and a brief resume to Marcela Gallegos, mgalle2@luc.edu. Please include a daytime phone number and email address where you may be contacted during the semester. The Commencement Committee will notify the selected student in late April 2013.

Hooding of PhD Candidates   

The relationship between the Ph.D. candidate and the dissertation director is of central importance to the candidate's progress through the dissertation process and successful development as an independent scholar. As a way of recognizing this unique relationship, we have developed a tradition in the awarding of Ph.D. degrees at the commencement ceremony that includes the candidate's dissertation director hooding the candidate and presenting her or him for the awarding of the degree.

Hooding – Graduate Student Instructions

If you meet the eligibility requirements (see Eligibility to Participate) and are planning to attend the May commencement ceremony, please check with your dissertation director regarding his or her participation in the ceremony.

If your director is unable to attend the ceremony, please arrange for another faculty member (e.g., another member of the dissertation committee or the graduate program director) to serve in his or her place. Please notify Ms. Marcela Gallegos, mgalle2@luc.edu, of this arrangement by Friday, April 12, 2013.

Hooding Instructions - Day of Ceremony

Hooding – Faculty Instructions   

If you are serving as a dissertation director for a student who plans to attend the May commencement ceremony, the Graduate School would appreciate greatly your attendance at and participation in the ceremony.

If you plan to attend the ceremony, please RSVP via the Faculty Registration link. Because faculty members will be sitting in a place of honor, wearing academic apparel is required.

If you cannot attend the ceremony, please work with the student to select an appropriate representative to serve in your place. Please notify Ms. Marcela Gallegos, mgalle2@luc.edu, of this arrangement by Friday, April 12, 2013.

 Hooding Instructions - Day of Ceremony

Graduate School Reception for Degree Candidates

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 | 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Multipurpose Room, Simpson Living and Learning Center, Lake Shore Campus [map]

As part of the commencement celebration, the Graduate School invites all Graduate School graduates and graduate candidates to a cocktail reception in their honor. You can RSVP online at http://luc.edu/gradschool/thegraduateschoolreceptionsubmission/. The reception is free for all students and guests. Degree candidates are welcome to bring a guest(s). Please register by Friday, May 3, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.

If you have questions about the commencement information provided, please contact Marcela Gallegos at mgalle2@luc.edu.