Graduate Commencement
In recognition of the accomplishments of our graduate students, Capital will hold a separate hooding and commencement ceremony for graduates of the following Master's programs:
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Arts in Education (teaching, counselor education)
- Master of Music in Education
- Master of Arts (Clinical Mental Health Counselor)
- Master of Social Work
This special ceremony will take place on:
Wednesday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Reception to follow
Conservatory of Music
Mees Hall
2260 E. Mound Street
Columbus, OH 43209
Graduation Requirements
Students have until Friday, January 23, 2026 to complete the graduation application in myCap. After January 23, 2026, if you have not applied for graduation, you will need to contact the Registrar’s Office for assistance: graduation@capital.edu or 614-236-6150.
Students who have applied to graduate and plan to participate in the Graduate Commencement ceremony must have completed all degree requirements. This includes:
- Required coursework
- Incompletes
- Official transcripts
- Any other materials related to the completion of the degree
All students who have completed the above requirements will receive their diploma covers at the Commencement ceremony. All diplomas for the class of 2026 can be picked up or mailed to the graduates. Students who have graduated in December of 2025 or applied to graduate in August of 2026 are also eligible to participate. Summer graduates can have no more than 6 unfinished credits if they are to walk in the ceremony.
Financial Obligations: All bills and fees must be paid prior to graduation. If your account is not completely cleared by graduation, neither your diploma nor transcripts will be issued. Contact the Student Accounts Office at 614-236-6123 or studentaccounts@capital.edu if you have questions.
Admission
You MUST register your intent to walk in the Graduate Ceremony with the Registrar’s Office in order to participate in the ceremony. The application is available on myCap.
Commencement Day
- 5 p.m. - Check-in for graduates will take place in the lobby of Huntington Recital Hall (south side of the Conservatory).
Professional Portraits will be offered at this time in the Crist Room, 140 behind check-in - Doors open to Mees Hall Auditorium for guest seating.
- 6 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. - graduates are asked to line-up in the Crist Room140, no later than 6:15pm for the start of the procession
- 6:30 p.m. - Ceremony begins with procession from the Crist Room into Mees Hall
- 7:45 p.m. (approximately) - ceremony concludes, light reception will be provided outside on the front lawn of Mees Hall (Convergent Media Center will be the inclement weather location).
Special Notes
General Seating will be available for your guests. Both the lower level and balcony will be available for seating. Tickets are not required for this event.
COVID-19 Policies: Capital University is looking forward to celebrating our graduating students and to making sure that we do it safely and responsibly. We invite everyone to evaluate their own personal risks when considering attending the ceremony. Currently, masks are not required regardless of vaccination status but the public health agencies still recommend that individuals who may be at higher risk for severe outcomes of COVID-19 (e.g., immunocompromised or unvaccinated) continue to mask when in public. Capital remains a mask-friendly university and supports anyone who chooses to continue to wear a mask. Please note these requirements are subject to change based on State, County, City, and campus policies.
Parking & Directions
All parking lots will be available for public parking. Please adhere to mobility-impaired parking restrictions: do not park in unmarked spaces and do not block intersections or pathways.
Special Needs/Mobility Impaired
All access into Mees Hall will be wheelchair and mobility-impaired accessible. However, please note that accessibility seating is limited for wheelchairs. It is preferred for you to sit in a seat without your chair or walker; they can be stored in the vestibule or east hallway. Please contact the Meeting and Event Services Department if you have specific questions at events@capital.edu. Mobility impaired parking spots are available in the F-5, S-7, and S-8 lots. Drop off is recommended in the F-5 lot.
An ASL interpreter will be available for the duration of the ceremony.
Contact Us
Robert Cumberlander, Assistant Registrar
614-236-6150 or graduation@capital.edu for questions regarding graduation registration and graduation requirements.
Era McMahon, Director of Meeting and Event Services
614-236-6969 or events@capital.edu for questions regarding ticketing, additional tickets, logistics, and day-of needs.
Student Accounts Office
614-236-6213 or studentaccounts@capital.edu for financial obligations.
University Gear Shop Bookstore
614- 236 -6629 or capital@getugear.com for regalia and bookstore needs
Regalia
Graduation regalia is available to order through Herff Jones and will not be listed on the Capital Bookstore University Gear website.
Ordering is available through March 24 (by midnight) for pickup in the bookstore starting May 1. Ordering for delivery to your home address will be available starting March 25 through April 7.
Order Capital University Graduation Products
For any regalia-related questions, please contact Cliff Fehr from Herff Jones at cfehrway@hotmail.com.
For last minute needs, please visit the University Gear Shop to purchase caps and gowns in-store or call (614) 236-6629.
University Gear Shop will host a Grad Fair in-store on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
University Gear Shop Hours of Operation
Monday, May 4 -Friday May 8, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, May 9, 9 a.m. through end of Graduation.
1st Floor, Harry C. Moores Student Union
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
For Graduate Commencement, tickets are not required. We ask each graduate invite no more than 10 guests.
Herff Jones offers a high-quality robe made out of recycled material. All robes are manufactured and processed here in the United States.
We strongly suggest business or business casual with special emphasis on comfortable shoes. Graduates will be walking, standing, walking up and down steps, and walking outside (weather permitting).
Less is more. Heavy bags and purses will be burdensome so we suggest wristlets or small crossover bags for your essentials. Once you leave line-up in the Crist Room and walk to Mees Auditorium, any personal items will be left behind in the Crist Room, unattended.
Please refer to “Parking” information on our website. All parking lots are available for you and your guests during this day.
Guest entrance into the Conservatory of Music's Mees Hall is located at the north doors of the building. Registration and check-in for graduates will be located at the south portion of the Conservatory, in the Huntington Recital Hall's Bexley Hall Lobby.
ASL interpreters will be present during the entire ceremony.
Seating is limited for wheelchair accessible guests due to the limitations of the building and are first-come, first served. All entrances have ramps and ease-of-access into the first floor.