Graduation & Commencement Information

Graduation Information for ALL Students

All students must apply for graduation the semester before you plan to complete program requirements (see dates below). You must apply to graduate even if you do not intend to participate in a Commencement ceremony. You may apply earlier than the deadlines posted below.

 

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Graduation Application Deadlines


• May applications are due by October 31
• July applications are due by October 31
• December applications are due by March 31


Graduation Dates


Graduation dates are NOT the same as Commencement dates.  McKendree awards degrees three times a year on the following dates: May 31, July 31, and December 31. If you complete coursework earlier in the term, your degree will not be posted until the end of the term. Diplomas will be mailed within 14 days of the date the degree is conferred provided all accounts with the University are clear.

 

Participation in Commencement

McKendree University holds Commencement ceremonies once each year at the end of the spring semester (in May at the Lebanon campus). Students who complete degree requirements as of December 31 are invited to participate in the Commencement ceremony held the following May . For example, if you graduate in December, 2024 you may attend Commencement in May 2025. Students who complete requirements in May or July should plan to attend the May ceremony the year in which they graduate (May and July 2025 graduates may participate in the May 2025 ceremony.)

 

PLEASE NOTE: Participation in the Commencement Ceremony is not a guarantee of graduation. Degrees for May graduates are conferred on May 31 and for July graduates are conferred on July 31 provided all requirements for the degree are met.

 

Graduation Honors

Students graduating from McKendree University may be awarded Latin honors; the criteria are:

  • Completion of 60 or more letter-graded hours at McKendree
    (courses taken using the credit/no credit option are not letter-graded) and
  • Achievement of the required minimum cumulative grade point average:

3.600 for cum laude
3.750 for magna cum laude
3.950 for summa cum laude

 

Commencement Photographer


We strongly encourage our graduates and families of our graduates to take full advantage of the professional photography services provided. Enjoy your day and let the "pros" take care of the rest!


Jon Cannon Photography

617 N. Market Street

Mascoutah, IL 62258

McKendree Commencement Photo Gallery

 

For More Information


Academic Records Office
(618) 537-6819

decorative graduation image