Ceremony Checklist
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Graduate Checklist
Commencement is NOT the same as graduation! Applying for your degree (graduation) is a separate process from RSVP-ing for the graduation ceremony (commencement). All candidates for graduation, whether or not participating in commencement, must apply for their degrees. For Fall 2025 degrees, the application period is August 22nd - November 14th , 2025
- If you completed your degree over the summer and did not apply for your degree before the November 14th deadline, please contact your academic advisor for assistance in applying late.
TO ACCESS THE DEGREE APPLICATION, LOG INTO ULINK, click the "Graduation" tile, then click "Degree Application" on the left.
The Commencement RSVP deadline has passed.
If you did not RSVP, you may still participate! You are advised to arrive at the KFC Yum! Center on Friday, December 12 no later than 6:15 p.m. to have a call card made. Your name will be called as you cross the stage but not displayed on the livestream.
All graduates must wear a cap and gown to participate in the ceremony.
The deadline to order a cap and gown with guaranteed home delivery has passed. To request a late apparel order, please complete the form below. Late apparel will be sold by Jostens during Late Regalia Distribution from the extras. Late regalia will be sold as sets only, and will include a cap, gown, & degree color tassel (hood if Masters or Doctorate). Students who complete the late apparel request form below will have their orders filled in the order their request was received.
Student Late Apparel Request
Pick Up and Distribution
Late Regalia Distribution will take place in the Red Barn on Thursday, December 11, 2025, from noon - 6:00 p.m. and on Friday, December 12, 2025, from noon - 4:00 p.m.
Pricing and Payment
Bachelors: $42.38 Masters: $58.33 Doctorate: $103.96
Payment for late apparel orders will be accepted at the time of pick-up at Late Regalia Distribution.
Complete the First Destination Survey (FDS)
First Destination Survey: https://cardinalcareers-csm.symplicity.com/surveys/fds26
The First Destination Survey (FDS) is a survey completed in Cardinal Careers by all soon-to-be or recently graduated students from the University of Louisville. The FDS captures information regarding how new college graduates fare in their careers within six months of graduation. The annual initiative provides clear, concise, and consistent data on the outcomes associated with a college education on a national scale.
Know where to go! There is no longer an in-person rehearsal, so we strongly encourage all grads to view the brief Virtual Rehearsal video, where we provide a visual guide to where grads and their guests need to go, and what to do when arriving at the KFC YUM! Center on the Big Day.
If you are graduating and need accommodations due to a disability, physical limitation, or other circumstance in order to participate in the Commencement ceremonies, please email the Commencement Staff.
The University has partnered with ProPics for graduation photography. Graduates will be photographed as they cross the stage. After crossing the stage, you will proceed to the graduate portrait station to have quick portrait made in your cap & gown. ProPics will photograph your portrait on a green screen and you will later have access to select from a variety of backgrounds. As our gift to you, each graduate will receive a free 5" x 7" print of the image of your choosing.
To access the virtual photo booth website please click here.
Use of this virtual photo booth is completely FREE and you may use as many photos and backgrounds as you would like. This technology will work for individual and group photos! This will allow you to take your group photos with your guests at the location of your choosing (outside of the event) where you can later upload them into the virtual photo booth providing you with photos that appear to be on campus in iconic locations or using the background created for your academic unit. This technology is also available to those graduates who could not join us in person but would still like to utilize the virtual photo booth.
More information to come.
Diplomas will arrive at the Registrar's office approximately eight to ten weeks after the end of each term/semester. An email notification will be sent to all graduates when diplomas arrive and are ready to be picked up. When you pick up your diploma, be sure to verify that your name is spelled correctly and that your diploma includes any special notations, if applicable (honors, etc). You may have someone pick up your diploma for you.
If you live out of town, your diploma can be mailed to you. After the diploma arrival date, students may email the Registrar’s Office at regoff@louisville.edu to arrange mailing. Diplomas cannot be mailed to local addresses including: Anchorage, Buckner, Clarksville, Crestwood, Goshen, Jeffersonville, LaGrange, Louisville, Mt. Washington, New Albany, Pewee Valley, Prospect or Shepherdsville.
For framing purposes, diploma measurements are 14" X 17".
If you wish to order a duplicate diploma, you may do so online at http://louisville.edu/registrar/forms/replacement-diploma-form. The fee is $25.