College of Education > Student Resources > Graduation > Commencement

Commencement

DePaul holds one commencement ceremony each year in June at the Wintrust Arena. If you intend to participate, there are a number of steps that must be completed. Please refer to the DePaul Commencement website for complete information.

Eligibility for Commencement

The first steps are to confirm that you are eligible to participate in commencement and to apply for graduation. In some cases, you may be eligible to participate in commencement ceremonies before you have completed all of your academic, financial and other responsibilities. Regardless of your participation in commencement, you will not receive your degree until all of your outstanding obligations have been fulfilled. 

Cap & Gown Orders

The deadline for ordering a cap and gown is firm. Caps and gowns are picked up during DePaul's Commencement Kick-Off Event in the week before commencement,

Graduation Tickets

Tickets are required for commencement ceremonies held in the Wintrust Arena. Tickets are limited and are specific to each ceremony.

Honors and Distinctions

Undergraduate students: The determination for honors is based solely on the cumulative grade point average.

  • Cum laude cumulative GPA between 3.500 and 3.699
  • Magna cum laude cumulative GPA between 3.700 and 3.849
  • Summa cum laude cumulative GPA above 3.850

Graduate Students: Each graduate program establishes its own criteria for graduating with distinction:

Bilingual Bicultural Program

  • MEd 4.0 GPA
  • MA 4.0 GPA, and distinction on thesis as determined by the thesis committee member

Counseling Programs

  • MEd 4.0 GPA
  • MA 4.0 GPA

Curriculum Studies Program

  • MEd 4.0 GPA
  • MA 4.0 GPA, and distinction on thesis as determined by the thesis committee member

Dual Certification Program

  • MEd 4.0 GPA or possible revision based on T&L policy
  • MA 4.0 GPA or possible revision based on T&L policy

Educational Leadership Program

  • MEd 4.0 GPA
  • MA 4.0 GPA, and distinction on thesis as determined by the thesis committee member

Literacy and Specialized Instruction Program

  • MEd 3.75 GPA, A in SER 457 with Exceeds score in Capstone Portfolio; at least 6 Exceeds on standards in SER courses; and  A grades in both practica
  • MA 3.75 GPA, A in SER 457 with Exceeds score in Capstone Portfolio; at least 6 Exceeds on standards in SER courses; A grades in both practica; and distinction on master's thesis based on oral defense (Thesis Committee)

Reading Specialist Program

  • MEd 3.75 GPA and evaluation of Capstone Portfolio based on rubric
  • MA 3.75 GPA and score of 91% or higher on MA paper rubric

Social and Cultural Foundations in Education Program

  • MA Distinction based on recommendation for distinction from the students thesis committee and approval from the Thesis Review Committee

Teaching and Learning Program

  • MEd 4.0 GPA
  • MA 4.0 GPA, with distinction on thesis paper (Distinction Committee)

Value Creating Education for Global Citizenship Program

  • MEd 4.0 GPA

Doctoral Program (EdD and PhD)

The successful completion of a dissertation distinguishes those students at this highest level of their educational careers. The doctoral program does not offer a formal distinction beyond this accomplishment.
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