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Graduation Events
Graduates may participate in Universitywide Commencement and College of Applied Health Sciences Convocation. The College of Applied Health Sciences offers two distinct convocation events, one for students completing a bachelor’s degree and another for students completing a master’s or doctoral degree.
Universitywide Commencement
Universitywide Commencement is managed by Illinois Commencement. This is a large event that includes all graduates. Names are not read at this event; graduates are recognized as a group. Answers to the most common questions regarding Universitywide Commencement can be found by reviewing their FAQ.
College of Applied Health Sciences Undergraduate Student Convocation
Commencement is not certification of graduation, but rather a ceremony that celebrates your academic achievements. You must satisfy all degree requirements before you officially graduate and receive your diploma.
Students who will complete an undergraduate degree and graduate from the College of Applied Health Sciences in December 2025, May 2026 or August 2026 may participate in this ceremony. Students who have applied to graduate in December 2025 or May 2026 will receive registration instructions by email early in the spring semester. Students who plan to graduate in August 2026 should return to this page during the spring semester for registration instructions. Students in the BS-MPH and RST 4+1 programs who are celebrating the completion of the undergraduate portion of their degree will participate in this convocation.
Date and Location
Saturday, May 16, 2026
1:00 p.m.
State Farm Center
1800 S. 1st Street, Champaign, IL
Guest Tickets
Guest Tickets are not required for this event.
Event Details
This is a formal ceremony that will last approximately two hours. Students who are receiving several types of honors will be asked to stand and be recognized from their seats as a group. Afterward, degree candidates will be asked to stand row-by-row, by degree program, proceed as directed to a lectern on stage, line up, and one-by-one hand your name card that will be provided at check-in to a designated reader. When your name is read, you will walk to the center of the stage, receive your diploma cover, shake hands with the Dean and a department representative, then exit the stage, return as directed to your seat and be seated. Ushers will be available to assist. Graduates are expected to attend the entire ceremony and participate in the recession out of the State Farm Center.
A livestream of the event will be available.
Registration Instructions
To participate in the AHS Undergraduate Student Convocation please complete the online registration form. The deadline to register for this event is Friday, April 10.
To learn more about participating in the universitywide Commencement on Saturday, May 16 please refer to the To Do Checklist available from Illinois Commencement.
State Farm Center Policies
Guests and graduates should familiarize themselves with the Arena Policies at State Farm Center. State Farm Center has specific guidelines regarding clear bags and prohibited items. Items such as ballons, banners, noisemakers and signs are not permitted in the facility.
Check-In
Graduates should arrive at 12:00 p.m. to the tunnel on the east side (Fourth Street) of the State Farm Center. It is critical that you arrive on time to assemble the processional. Late arrivals will not be accommodated.
Guest tickets are not required for the AHS Undergraduate Student Convocation. Guests may arrive at 12:00 p.m. and access seating using the east or west doors. Inside the building, ushers will help direct guests to the designated seating areas.
Academic Attire
You must wear academic attire (cap and gown) to participate in Convocation. Please be sure to order academic attire as soon as possible to avoid late fees. Please note that ordering academic attire does not register you to participate in the AHS Undergraduate Convocation Ceremony or the universitywide Commencement.
Honor Cords
James Scholars and I-LEAP Scholars will be given College of AHS honor cords to recognize their outstanding accomplishments. If you did not receive your honors cord(s) at an awards ceremony, please contact ahs-acaffrs@illinois.edu for instructions.
Disability-Related Accommodations
Graduates who require assistance to fully participate in the AHS Undergraduate Convocation ceremony should indicate these requirements in the registration form. If you have questions about accommodations, please email ahs-acaffrs@illinois.edu or call 217-333-2130. We will have a representative of AHS stationed at the east entrance of the State Farm Center (off Fourth Street) to assist you in joining the procession.
Guests who use wheelchairs, or for whom walking is difficult, may be dropped off outside the ceremony location at the west or east doors. Inside the building, ushers will help direct you to designated seating areas.
If you are a person who requires ASL (American Sign Language) accommodations, please email ahs-acaffrs@illinois.edu or call 217-333-2130 as soon as possible, but before Friday, February 27, 2026. Due to a national shortage of interpreters, accommodation requests for American Sign Language Interpreters received after this date will be given due diligence to be filled but cannot be guaranteed.
Parking
Free parking is available at the State Farm Center. Accessible parking spaces are available in all four quadrants and reserved for those displaying an ADA hangtag or license plate. Spaces are limited and available on a first come, first serve basis. For additional parking information, see the State Farm Parking Map and Illinois Campus Map.
Photography
GradImages® will photograph all graduates at the ceremony and capture your proud moment. Visit their website and click on the Registration link before Convocation to establish an account. By submitting your information to them early, you can rest assured that picture proofs will be provided to you as soon as they are available after the event. After graduation, you may order online or contact GradImages® with any specific questions.
Questions
If you have questions about the College of Applied Health Sciences Undergraduate Student Convocation, please contact AHS Academic Affairs at ahs-acaffrs@illinois.edu or (217) 333-2130.
College of Applied Health Sciences Graduate Student Convocation
Commencement is not certification of graduation, but rather a ceremony that celebrates your academic achievements. You must satisfy all degree requirements before you officially graduate and receive your diploma.
This event is for College of Applied Health Sciences students receiving their master’s or doctoral degree. Eligibility to participate in the College of Applied Health sciences Graduate Student Convocation is determined by your academic department. Eligible students will receive an invitation to register during the spring semester. If you believe you are eligible to participate but did not receive an invitation, please contact Robin King at rlking10@illinois.edu.
Date and Location
Friday, May 15, 2026
3:30 p.m.
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (KCPA), Tryon Festival Theatre
500 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana, IL
Guest Tickets
Guest Tickets are required for this event. Participants will request guest tickets during the registration process.
Event Details
This is a formal ceremony that will last approximately two hours. Graduates receiving their doctoral degree will be hooded at this event. Graduates are expected to attend the entire ceremony. Please plan to arrive an hour before the event at 2:30 p.m. Additional details about arrival will be provided to registered participants before the event.
A livestream will be available.
Registration Instructions
Eligible students will receive registration instructions by email.
To learn more about participating in the universitywide Commencement on Saturday, May 16 please refer to the To Do Checklist available from Illinois Commencement.
Academic Attire
You must wear academic attire (cap and gown) to participate in Convocation. Please be sure to order academic attire as soon as possible to avoid late fees. Please note that ordering academic attire does not register you to participate in the AHS Graduate Student Convocation Ceremony or the universitywide Commencement.
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at Illinois Policies
Guests and graduates should familiarize themselves with policies in place. Items such as balloons, banners, noisemakers, and signs are not permitted in the facility. The Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at Illinois is a world-class performing arts facility, and graduates and guests are expected to conduct themselves with decorum throughout the event.
Check-In
Graduates should arrive at 2:30 p.m. to level 2. It is critical that you arrive on time to assemble the processional. Late arrivals will not be accommodated. Additional instructions will be sent the day before the event.
Guest tickets are required for the AHS Graduate Student Convocation. Guests may arrive at 2:30 p.m. and access seating from level 5(the lobby). Students who register for Convocation will receive instructions on collecting guest tickets.
Disability-Related Accommodations
Graduates who require assistance to fully participate in the AHS Graduate Student Convocation ceremony should indicate these requirements in the registration form. If you have questions about accommodations, please email rlking10@illinois.edu or call 217-333-2129.
Guests who use wheelchairs or require other assistance to attend the AHS Graduate Student Convocation ceremony should familiarize themselves with accessibility at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at Illinois. Guests who use wheelchairs or will require special seating are encouraged to reach out to rlking10@illinois.edu or call 217-333-2129 as early as possible so that arrangements may be made.
If you are a person who requires ASL (American Sign Language) accommodations, please email rlking10@illinois.edu or call 217-333-2129 as soon as possible, but before Friday, February 27, 2026. Due to a national shortage of interpreters, accommodation requests for American Sign Language Interpreters received after this date will be given due diligence to be filled but cannot be guaranteed.
Parking
Metered street parking is available around Krannert Center. For additional parking information, please see Krannert Center Directions + Parking and Illinois Campus Map.
Photography
GradImages® will photograph all graduates at the ceremony and capture your proud moment. Visit their website and click on the Registration link before Convocation to establish an account. By submitting your information to them early, you can rest assured that picture proofs will be provided to you as soon as they are available after the event. After graduation, you may order online or contact GradImages® with any specific questions.
Questions
If you have questions about the College of Applied Health Sciences Graduate Student Convocation, please contact Robbin King at rlking10@illinois.edu or (217) 333-2129.