Graduation

We're committed to helping you reach your goals.

This webpage is packed with all things graduation and commencement. Reach out to graduation@csmd.edu with any questions.

 

First Things First:

Spring 2026 Graduates

  • DEADLINE - April 1, 2026 was the last day to apply for Spring Graduation!!!
  • Please DO NOT ORDER an official transcript at this time, as you will not be officially graduated in the system until the end of May.

Important Information Regarding Commencement & Graduation

  • Students who successfully apply for graduation in Summer (August 2025), Fall (December 2025), or Spring (May 2026) will be invited to participate in the 67th Commencement Ceremony on May 15, 2026.
  • Tickets will be required for the Commencement Ceremony. Graduates should arrive 1.5 hours prior to the ceremony; guests should arrive no earlier than one hour prior to the ceremony. 
  • Check your student email regularly for important graduation updates, including ticket distribution.
  • The graduation process and awarding of a credential are separate from the ceremony.
  • Graduates are encouraged to attend the commencement ceremony to celebrate and recognize their accomplishments, but participation is not required.
  • All diplomas are mailed to students at the address submitted on their graduation application.

View Commencement Ceremony Details


Graduation Term Dates and Deadlines

Spring (May) 2026 Graduation
First day to apply for graduation
 01/26/2026
Last day to apply for graduation
 04/01/2026
Ceremony Date and Times

05/15/2026

La Plata Campus, Physical Education Center (PE Building) MAP

9 a.m., School of Liberal Arts
1 p.m., School of STEM and Professional Studies
5 p.m., School of Health Sciences
Conferral date 05/15/2026

Posting date (showing on transcript)

 06/15/2026
Diplomas mailed directly to students

June 2026

Summer (August) 2026 Graduation
First day to apply for graduation 06/29/2026
Last day to apply for graduation
 08/01/2026
Conferral date 08/31/2026

Posting date (showing on transcript)

 09/15/2026
Diplomas mailed directly to students

September 2026

Fall (December) 2026 Graduation

NOTE: Students completing their program during the Winter Term must apply for Spring Graduation
Last day to apply for graduation
 12/01/2026
Conferral date 12/31/2026

Posting date (showing on transcript)

 01/15/2027
Diplomas mailed directly to students

January 2027

Frequently Asked Questions

No.  To graduate from CSM, you need to apply online through Online Services or meet with an academic advisor.

To qualify as a candidate for a degree or certificate, students must complete all courses required in the curriculum.  Unless required courses have been officially waived, all students must meet the course requirements of their program to graduate.

To graduate, students must pass all courses required in their curriculum and must have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 for all work at the college.  AAT students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and a copy of their PRAXIS scores must be on file with CSM.

All graduation communications will be sent to your CSM student email.

Students should apply for graduation when they are in their last semester of classes.  Please refer to the Important Dates for deadlines.  All Associate, Certificate, and Letters of Recognition (LOR) candidates are eligible for graduation.  LOR recipients do not participate in the ceremony.

There is no fee to apply to graduate or attend the ceremony. The only fee involved will be the purchase of a cap and gown from the Bookstore.

There are three levels of honors awarded at the completion of degrees or certificates.

  • Highest honors – a cumulative grade point average of 3.9 to 4.
  • High honors – a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 to 3.89
  • Honors – a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 to 3.74

Students must have earned at least one-half of their degree or certificate credits at CSM in order to be eligible for honors. The honors designation is recorded on the transcript and eligible students will be given an honor cord to wear at the ceremony.

If you are a PTK member, you are eligible to purchase any or all of the following to wear at graduation: Honors stole, Gold Honors Tassel, or Double Honors Cord.  If you choose to do so, these items must be ordered directly from PTK International Headquarters.  Please visit their website at www.ptk.org

For additional information regarding PTK, please contact Mike Green at 301-934-7598 or email mikeg@csmd.edu.

You will be notified after the ceremony that you did not satisfy your requirements and you may apply again as soon as you register for your remaining classes.

No. While we encourage you to participate in this event, you do not have to participate in order to receive your diploma.  Refer to the Graduation Term Dates and Deadlines section for each term's date when "Diplomas mailed directly to students."

Students completing their program during the Winter Term must apply for Spring Graduation

Contact Us

graduation@csmd.edu

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