Graduate Commencement

In recognition of the accomplishments of our graduate students, Capital will hold a separate hooding and commencement ceremony for graduates of our Master’s Business, Education, Music, and Nursing programs. This special ceremony will take place on: 

Wednesday, May 7 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 24, 2025 to complete the graduation application in myCap. After January 24, 2025, 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 2025 can be picked up or mailed to the graduates. Students who have graduated in December of 2024 or applied to graduate in August of 2025 are also eligible to participate.

Graduate students who will not be attending the ceremony will be mailed their diplomas from the Registrar's Office. The Registrar’s Office will mail your diploma unless alternate arrangements are made.

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 614-236-6213 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. 

Commencement Day

• 5:00pm - 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.
• 6:00pm - 6:15pm - graduates are asked to line-up in the Crist Room140, no later than 6:15pm for the start of the procession
• 6:30pm - Ceremony begins with procession from the Crist Room into Mees Hall
• 7:45pm (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.

Campus Parking and Directions

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

Registrar's Office 
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 25th (by midnight) for pickup in the bookstore starting May 1^st. Ordering for delivery to your home address will be available starting March 26^th through April 8^th.

https://colleges.herffjones.com/college/capital/

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 18, 2025 from 10 am - 1 pm and from 2 - 6 pm.

University Gear Shop Hours of Operation
Monday, May 5 - Saturday, May 10
9 am - 5 pm
1st Floor, Harry C. Moores Student Union