Photos
GradImages will contact you directly at your UMD email when the photo proofs are available to view. You can place an order for photos from that email. Students may also find their pictures on the GradImages website approximately 2 weeks after the ceremony. To find your photos, for the school name type in: University of Minnesota – Duluth. All students who participate in the spring 2025 ceremony will be listed on the GradImages website as spring 2025 graduates no matter what term they completed or plan to complete their degree requirements. There is no obligation to purchase photos.Graduation checklist for undergraduate students
Diplomas
Assuming all graduation requirements have been met, diplomas are mailed to students within three months following the end of the semester in which a student applied to graduate. Holds may prevent you from ordering a transcript or receiving your diploma. Check MyU for any holds on your record. All diplomas are the same size.
Information on diplomas should be directed to One Stop Student Services, 218-726-8000, [email protected]. For questions regarding degree requirements contact your college Advising & Academic Services office.
Program and Diploma Covers
If you did not attend or would like an extra program and/or diploma cover please fill out this form and a program and cover will be mailed to you in late May.
Graduation checklist for undergraduate students
Click Graduation checklist above for the links to apply to graduate fall 2025 or in 2026. The RSVP to attend the 2026 ceremony will be availalbe fall 2025. The ceremony is for students who completed their degree requirements fall 2025, spring 2026 or plan to complete the requirements by summer 2026 or fall 2026.'
Graduation checklist for graduate students
Click Graduation checklist above for the links to apply to graduate and RSVP to attend the 2026 ceremony.
Departmental, Latin, and Military and University Honors for current graduates
Departmental honors are not available in all departments, and the requirements vary accordingly. Students eligible for this honor will receive a gold cord.
Latin Honors are determined based upon the fall semester grades and calculated GPA, with specific criteria set by each college. While GPLA thresholds are generally similar, they vary slightly between colleges. Below are links to the respective college for further details. Please note that these reflect fall 2024 grades, and a student's honor designation may change based on spring 2025 grades. Students eligible for this honor will receive a ribboned medallion.
Military honors cords are awarded to any graduating student who is active or retired from military personnel, including members of the National Guard and students enrolled in ROTC. Students eligible for this honor will receive a red, white, and blue cord.
University Honors is a distinct program, typically involving students who joined early in their college career. Students eligible for this honor will receive a maroon and gold cord.
Students who have not already picked up their honors, may do so on commencement day. For those not attending the ceremony, honors can be mailed upon request.
DECC Policy
Please note the DECC bag policy. The following bags may be carried into the venue:
- Small bags not exceeding 4.5” x 6.5” such as a clutch purse, wristlet, or wallet
- Medically necessary bags, including breast pumps
- Diaper bags for individuals/families with a child/children under age 3
Frequently Asked Questions and Information
The safety of our students, faculty, staff and guests is our highest priority. When arriving at the DECC, please take a moment to locate the nearest exit to your location. All commencement ceremonies will be monitored by UMD and City of Duluth police officers along with DECC Security staff. In the event of a disruption, students, staff and faculty are instructed not to intervene and to remain calm and seated. The ceremony moderator and event security will work to resolve the situation so the ceremony can continue. In the event of any emergency, please listen for announcements and evacuate to a safe location if necessary.
The following items are not allowed: alcohol, bags over 4.5” x 6.5” (medically necessary bags are allowed); balloons; drones; drugs or weapons.
Anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be asked to leave the premises.
- How do I check or change the name listed on my diploma: follow this path: OneStop - Personal Information - Student Record - Update Personal Information - Diploma Name
The name listed on your diploma will be the name listed on the commencement program. However, only your first and last name will be read as you cross the stage.. - There is no rehearsal for students.
- Do I have to buy a cap, gown and tassel? Although not required, almost all students wear a cap and gown. These items can be purchased on-campus at Grad Fair in March 2026 (date to be announced early in 2026) or at the UMD Bookstore before the ceremony. Students are advised to purchase these items before May 10. Students should bring their cap and gown to the DECC; a limited number are available to purchase on commencement day. For students with financial need, assistance with purchasing your commencement regalia is available at this link.
- Students who have earned Latin Honors, Departmental Honors, University Honors and/or a Red, White and Blue Miliary cord can pick up their medallion/cord at Kirby Commencement in mid-April (exact dates to be announced) or on Commencement Day before they line up.
- Students are welcome to decorate their caps.
- Each ceremony will be about 2 hours long.
- Doors open an hour and a half before the ceremony for both guests and students.
- Tickets are not required; the event is free of charge and seating is on a first come basis.
- Programs are available at the door; there is no charge. Students will have a program on their chair in AMSOIL.
- The DECC bag policy. The following bags may be carried into the venue:
- Small bags not exceeding 4.5” x 6.5” such as a clutch purse, wristlet, or wallet
- Medically necessary bags, including breast pumps
- Diaper bags for individuals/families with a child/children under age 3
All guests will be subject to a search of their person and possessions prior to entering DECC facilities for applicable events. All permissible bags will be subject to inspection by security personnel. Guests should be prepared to open their bags for inspection and may be asked by a security representative to shift and/or remove the contents of their bag. DECC security personnel reserve the right to confiscate items that may cause damage to DECC facilities or danger/disruption to an event. Guests who violate building policies or decline to be searched may be denied entry or ejected from DECC facilities.
- After the ceremony students will leave their respective rows and exit through the Zamboni doors at the front of arena. They can then meet their guests in the DECC Arena where students lined up, or upstairs near the DECC Ticket Office.
- If you did not RSVP to attend or now sure you did, please come to commencement We will get you a name card and you can participate and cross the stage.
- If you are not attending commencement but would still like to receive a program and diploma cover please fill out this form and a program and cover will be mailed to you in late May.
- The difference between graduation and commencement.
- Graduation is the process of submitting an online graduation application, completing all academic requirements for your degree, and settling all financial obligations. The administrative process of degree conferral will indicate your official date of graduation. Conferral date is defined as the date on which your degree is officially awarded.
- Commencement refers to the ceremony that honors graduating students. Commencement refers to the start of something, and in an academic context, this ceremony signifies that you're starting your career and the next phase of your life. It is also a time for UMD to pay special tribute to you for the outstanding efforts you have shown in earning your degree. Participation in the commencement ceremony does not imply that you have officially graduated.