Commencement ceremonies are held after each semester. Florida Gulf Coast University offers a candidate ceremony and not a degree conferral ceremony. Degrees for all candidates who complete degree requirements will be certified by the appropriate college after the official close of the term, as noted in the academic calendar. Degree information is made available within 6 weeks after the close of the term. However, diplomas require 8-10 weeks to prepare.

The Spring commencement is for graduating candidates who have completed or plan to complete all degree requirements in the spring term. The Fall ceremony is for graduating candidates who have completed or plan to complete all degree requirements in the summer or fall terms. Students who submit graduation applications by the published deadline will receive commencement information.

Students who wish to walk early (participate in a commencement exercise other than the one designated for their term of completion) must submit a Petition to Walk Early and must meet the requirements for such. The petition can be obtained from the Office of the Registrar and must be submitted no later than the date provided on the form. All petitions that meet the guidelines will be approved on a space available basis. Space availability is based on the number of applied candidates and seating limits of the commencement location.

For more graduation and commencement information, go to http://www.fgcu.edu/registrar/commencement.html.