Graduation

Graduation is the accomplishment  - Commencement is the celebration!

Graduation is the completion of your program requirements, including the coursework and the administrative steps needed to award your degree. Students MUST apply for graduation.  When applying for graduation you will indicate if you plan to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Commencement is the formal ceremony that celebrates the achievements of graduating students.

We’re committed to helping you reach your goals and celebrating your achievements! If you have any questions, including important deadlines, application information, or ceremony details, please reach out to Graduation.

First Things First:

CONGRATULATIONS

Summer 2026 Graduates
  • You are officially graduated in the system and may now order your transcript.
  • Diplomas will be mailed in October.
  • If you have an outstanding balance, please contact Student Accounts.
  • For questions, please email Graduation.

Fall 2026 Graduates
  • If you are completing your final term of coursework, you will need to apply for graduation.
  • The Fall Graduation Application will be available on September 29, 2026.

Graduation Term Dates and Deadlines

Fall (December) 2026 Graduation

NOTE: Students completing their program during the Winter Term must apply for Spring Graduation
First day to apply for graduation 9/29/2026
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

February 2027

Spring (May) 2027 Graduation
First day to apply for graduation 1/29/2027
Last day to apply for graduation 4/1/2027
Commencement 5/14/2027
Conferral date 5/14/2027
Posting date (showing on transcript) 6/15/2027
Diplomas mailed directly to students July 2027

Summer (August) 2027 Graduation
First day to apply for graduation 06/29/2026
Last day to apply for graduation
 08/01/2027
Conferral date 08/31/2027

Posting date (showing on transcript)

 09/15/2027
Diplomas mailed directly to students

October 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 commencement.

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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