Commencement is a ceremony to honor and celebrate the achievements of students. Participation in the ceremony also referred to as "walking" does not imply that you have officially applied to receive the diploma. Participation in Commencement is not mandatory and the 2025 ceremony is free to participate in. 

Graduation is the official awarding of an academic degree on the transcript and issuing of diploma. The application for graduation can be found within your Student Center and will be available during the first 4 weeks of instruction. Please see the Registrar's Graduation webpage for more informaiton. 

Applying for graduation does not automatically register you for commencement and registering for commencement does not automatically qualify you for applying for graduation. 

Students who have graduated in or plan to graduate it:

• Summer 2024
• Fall 2024
• Spring 2025
• Summer 2025 (Walking Early)
• Fall 2025 (Walking Early)

The College of Science and Mathematics Commencement Ceremony is meant for students who are within the following departments:

• Biology
• Chemistry & Biochemistry
• Computer Science
• Earth and Environmental Sciences
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Psychology

Students may also participate in afficinity commencement celebrations. Please refer to the Schedule of Ceremonies webpage for further information about this year's affinity commencement celebrations.

Students may only participate in their academic college's commencement ceremony. For example, a Philiosophy major would not be eligible to participate in the College of Science and Mathematics Commencement ceremony becuase their major falls under the College of Arts and Humanities. 

Honor cords are available to students the semester they graduate. “Early Walkers” are not eligible for honor cords Spring 2025 because honor cords are based upon the student’s final GPA. Honor cords will be distributed in May from the student’s department. Please reach out to your department if you have any questions regarding honor cords.

Honor cord colors are determined by the following GPA's:

• GOLD: Summa Cum Laude (Highest Honors) | 3.90 to 4.00
• SILVER: Magna Cum Laude (High Honors) | 3.70 to 3.89
• WHITE: Cum Laude (Honors) | 3.50 to 3.69

Students must enter the loading dock with their gowns and other regalia (stoles, honor cords, leis, etc.) draped over their arm. Students must also remove their caps to go through security. Students may bring a clear bag (please note the Save Mart Center's bag policy) with them through security. Please keep all personal items to a minimum because you will be expected to keep all items on your person after you get through security. If you plan on bringing a clear bag for your personal items, please be prepared to wear the clear bag under your gown once you pass through security. 

Please also plan on wearing comfortable shoes. The loading dock is steep and students will be standing for prolonged periods of time throughout the ceremony. If you need accommodations, please reach out to csmgrad@mail.fresnostate.edu or call 559-278-3836.

No, our Commencement program will be digital. There will be QR codes around the Save Mart Center that guests may scan to get a copy.

Students who registered late are not guaranteed to be on the program.

For guests that need accommodations, please reach out to the SaveMart Center: 559-278-3400. You can also refer to the Save Mart Center’s Accessibility webpage.

For graduates that need accommodations, please reach out to us directly if you haven’t already at csmGRAD@mail.fresnostate.edu or call 559-278-3936. We will coordinate with you one-on-one to make sure your needs are met.