Student Graduation Information

• Regalia ordering opens: Aug. 10, 2026

  • Deadline for free shipping to GradFest: Sept. 8, 2026

  • Deadline for shipping to self with fee: Nov. 6, 2026

  • Deadline for Ed.D. shipping: Oct. 2, 2026

• GradFest: Oct. 12–13, 2026

• GradPak: Open from Oct. 11, 2026 to Nov. 2, 2026

• Ticket ordering opens: Nov. 2, 2026, at 9 a.m.

• Fall Commencement: Dec. 12, 2026, at 9 a.m.

• Spring Commencement: May 8, 2027, at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., and 3 p.m.

Please review the academic catalog for specific degree requirements. Students are also encouraged to check uAchieve for a quick view of their progress toward degree completion.

Instructions for the graduation application:

• Select the current term to continue with the application.

  • The next page will show you the semester of your graduation term.

• You may only use your legal name for your diploma - no nicknames.

• You may not mail your diploma to your HU Box; please use an address valid for up to six weeks after Commencement.

• You will be charged a graduation fee the semester you applied for graduation; please ensure your bill is clear. Your diploma and transcript may be held if you owe a balance.

Those students who are ONLY completing a certificate or endorsement program are not eligible to participate in Commencement; however, for completion to be reflected on the transcript, this application is still required.

Before ordering regalia, please verify that you are on track by running your degree audit (Pipeline > Student > Degree Evaluation).

Important notes:

• The cost of your cap and gown is included in your graduation fee.

• If the degree audit identifies you as complete, you will receive an email inviting you to order your academic regalia for Commencement.

• If your degree audit identifies you as incomplete, you will not be able to order your regalia through the website.

If you have any questions, please email graduation@harding.edu.

GradFest will be held Oct. 12–13, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Heritage Lobby and the Liberty Room.

Get Connected: Please submit the First Destination Survey, which assists Harding University in meeting federal reporting requirements. 

• The Center for Career Connections connects students, employers, alumni, faculty and staff to comprehensive career services, equipping students across all majors with the resources and connections for long-term professional success.

• Photo Shoot: The Center for Career Connections will help you take a professional headshot for your graduation slide and resume.

Get Cleared: Students will have the opportunity to complete their final degree check to ensure all academic requirements are met before graduation.

Get Robed: This central location will also serve as the place for students to pick up their academic regalia for the commencement ceremony.

Get Prepared: In one convenient location, representatives from key offices, including the Registrar’s Office, Graduate Admissions, the Center for Career Connections, the Financial Aid Services Office, and the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations, will be available to assist you in finalizing graduation tasks and preparing for your next steps.

GradPak is an online service Harding offers for your professional graduation slide, featuring your academic information and photo. This slide will be shown as you walk across the stage during the ceremony.

GradPak will be open from Oct. 11, 2026, and will close Nov. 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST.

Tickets are required for all guest seating and must be requested by each graduate.

• The ticketing process for fall commencement will open on Nov. 2, 2026 at 9 a.m. Graduates will receive an email with instructions on how to secure their tickets and waitlist instructions.

• To allow all graduates and families to celebrate, there is a limit of 10 (TEN) tickets per graduate.

• If additional tickets are needed, a request may be submitted to join the waitlist (the link will be available in the ticket information email).

  • Please note: Extra tickets are not guaranteed, but every effort will be made to accommodate as many requests as possible.

• We ask that graduates coordinate with their family members before ordering tickets to determine any accessibility needs. Please consider having those who are physically capable sit in the balcony, as there is no elevator access to balcony seating, to help ensure those who need accommodations can be assisted.

• When reserving tickets, graduates will be asked to RSVP for the complimentary graduation reception following the ceremony. Coordinating this with your family in advance helps our catering team plan appropriately.

If you need help with tickets or if you find you have more tickets than your family will use, you may return them by contacting the box office at tickethelp@harding.edu or 501-279-5777.

The ceremony schedule will be posted soon.

The ceremony instructions will be posted soon.

The Line of March will be posted approximately one week prior to the commencement date.

There are no honor cords for cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude. These honors are designated in the program, on the diploma and on the transcript.

Harding uses an external vendor, Parchment, to provide access to your electronic diploma. Within two weeks of the awarding of your degree, you will receive an email from Parchment containing a link for viewing, downloading and/or printing your electronic diploma. Receipt of this electronic diploma is the confirmation that your degree has been awarded. Your paper diploma will arrive a few weeks after the electronic version.

For students who are awarded a Bachelor's or Master's degree, the paper diploma size is 8.5-by-11 inches.

For those who are awarded a Doctoral degree, the paper diploma size is 11-by-14 inches.