Commencement information for students

To graduate, students must meet minimum GPA, residency, and program requirements. Additional criteria, including institutional credit requirements and graduation honors, may apply. We recommend meeting with your advisor to ensure all requirements are met before applying for graduation.

Review graduation requirements & procedures

Submit your application for spring graduation by February 6, 2026

Please note that you must have declared a program or certificate in order to apply for graduation for that specific program or certificate.

• If you have not yet submitted your application, please do so as soon as possible by following the navigation in Banner Self-Service Student menu > My Academic Information > Graduation Application.
• If you have already submitted your application or if you are not sure if you have submitted an application, you can check by accessing the Student menu > My Academic Information > View Graduation Application.

In the upcoming weeks after submitting your graduation application, you will receive a preliminary degree audit by email.  

You will also receive additional email communications regarding exit exams and a survey to verify commencement attendance, diploma name, and diploma mailing address.

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to the Registrar’s Office or (605) 256-5144.

Students who have successfully applied to graduate will receive the questionnaire link via DSU student email from the Office of the Provost. 

COMPLETE the Graduation Questionnaire - It is mandatory that all students completing degrees in Spring 2026 or Summer 2026 complete this questionnaire, even if you previously completed the survey OR do not plan to attend the ceremony. 

***PLEASE NOTE: If your situation and/or plans change and you will not graduate, please email DSU-Registrar@dsu.edu immediately.

Regalia is ordered through the Trojan Zone. Order all regalia online at www.dsubookstore.com by Thursday, April 9th. After this date, orders must be placed directly through the Trojan Zone and late order fees will be applied. Please order your regalia early to avoid any potential delays. 

Order Regalia

• Associate’s Apparel Unit purchase includes black cap, gown, tassel, year tab
• Bachelor’s Apparel Unit purchase includes black cap, gown, tassel, year tab
• Master’s Apparel Unit purchase includes black cap, Master’s gown, Master’s hood (required), tassel, year tab
  • A DSU hood is required to participate in the master’s hooding ceremony. To ensure the correct hood color, you must order the hood directly from the Trojan Zone through the “order regalia” link above.
• Doctoral Apparel Unit includes black cap, gown with velvet chevrons, Doctoral hood (required), tassel, year tab
  • A DSU hood is required to participate in the Doctoral hooding ceremony. To ensure the correct hood color, you must order the hood directly from the Trojan Zone through the “order regalia” link above.
  • Doctoral students also have option to order custom regalia. The deadline for custom regalia is Thursday, April 9th. Please contact bookstore@dsu.edu early for details in placing a custom regalia order.

Additional regalia

Legacy cords

If you have a family member who is a DSU Alumni, please contact the DSU Alumni Office so you can be recognized at commencement.

International stoles

To get your International Stole or for more information, please contact the International Programs Office.

If you have questions on academic apparel, announcements, frames, or jewelry options, please email the Trojan Zone bookstore or phone (605) 256-5238.

Attire and item guidelines

Make sure you have your cap, gown, tassel, and any earned honor cords, stoles, or hood ready to go. There isn’t a secure place for personal items, and only approved regalia is allowed on stage.

Arrival times and locations

Doors open at 8 a.m. for the hooding ceremony at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse and at 9 a.m. for Commencement at the Madison Community Center double gym.

Master’s and doctoral graduates should arrive at the Dakota Prairie Playhouse by 8 a.m. for the 8:30 a.m. processional. All other graduates should arrive at the Madison Community Center double gym by 9:45 a.m.

Check-in

Stop by the check-in table in the double gym when you arrive so we know you’re here. You can also pick up your honor cord there if needed.

Ceremony procedures and expectations

Student marshals and support staff will be available throughout the ceremony to provide guidance and ensure the event runs smoothly. Please follow their directions at all times. As you cross the stage, continue moving at a steady pace out of consideration for fellow graduates. Additional photo opportunities will be available following the ceremony.