Graduating Students - Undergraduate
Congrats Class of 2026!
Your degree represents an incredible journey of academic dedication and scholastic accomplishment. Graduation day will mark an important milestone in your academic career. West Chester University’s commencement ceremonies serve to salute your success and achievement. Congratulations to the newest WCU alumni!
Ticket Information
The link to request tickets will be sent in mid-March.
Each graduate may request up to six (6) guest tickets. Doctoral Students can request up to ten (10) tickets. You are not automatically given tickets so please make sure to request them.
If you want to record your name, this deadline is Friday, April 10, 2026.
Graduates have until April 23, 2026 to request tickets. We will notify graduates by Monday, April 27, 2026 if there are extra tickets available.
Graduates do not require a ticket. Infants and small toddlers, two years old and younger, who will sit on laps do not need a ticket. All ceremonies will be live streamed for those who do not have a ticket.
Doors open sixty (60) minutes prior to start time. Tickets may be printed in advance or displayed on a mobile device. All ceremonies will be live streamed for those who do not have a ticket or do not feel comfortable attending.
Cap and Gowns
Cap and Gown Ordering/Pickup – Main Campus
Cap and gown ordering will open February 1, 2026.
The deadline to submit your cap and gown order to ship to the SSI bookstore is Sunday, March 22, 2026. There is no additional charge for this service. Please note that caps and gowns shipped to the bookstore will not be available for pick up before Monday, April 27, 2026. The deadline to submit your cap and gown order to ship to your home will be Monday, April 13, 2023. There is an additional fee for this service, which must be paid by credit card when you order. The deadline to submit souvenir doctoral regalia is March 8, 2026.
Cap and Gown Pick up:
Caps/Gowns ordered through Oak Hall may be picked up at the SSI Bookstore, lower level Sykes Student Union beginning Monday, April 27, 2026.
Hours:
Monday, April 27- Thursday, April 30: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Friday, May 1: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 2: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 3: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Monday, May 4 - Thursday, May 7: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Friday, May 8: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Cap and Gown Ordering/Pickup – Philadelphia Campus
Cap and gown ordering will open February 1, 2026.
The deadline to submit your cap and gown order to ship to the Philadelphia Campus is Sunday, March 22, 2026. There is no additional charge for this service. Please note that caps and gowns shipped to campus will not be available for pick up before Monday, April 27, 2026. The deadline to submit your cap and gown order to ship to your home will be Monday, April 13, 2023. There is an additional fee for this service, which must be paid by credit card when you order. The deadline to submit souvenir doctoral regalia is March 8, 2026.
Cap and Gown Pickup
Caps/Gowns ordered through Oak Hall may be picked up at the Philadelphia Campus beginning Monday, April 27, 2026.
How to Put on Your Cap, Gown, and Hood
Diplomas
Once all degrees have been officially awarded for a semester, a list of graduates is sent to our vendor, who prints and mails all the diplomas directly to students. All diplomas will be sent to the home address on file listed in RamPortal.
Please note: The degree awarding process can take up to 6-8 weeks to complete after grades post for a student’s final term. Once all degrees are awarded, it will take an additional 4 - 6 weeks for diplomas to arrive by mail.
Diplomas are mailed to all students who have met graduation requirements and cleared all holds, according to the following schedule:
Fall graduates receive their diplomas in late February.
Winter graduates receive their diplomas in late March.
Spring graduates receive their diplomas in late July.
Summer graduates receive their diplomas in late October.
A student’s diploma will be mailed to the home address on file listed in RamPortal.
Students are encouraged to verify that their home address is accurate and to add an active personal email for future communication. Please ensure your personal information in RamPortal is up to date.
A student’s diploma states their degree and earned honors (if applicable).
Example: Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science
Majors and minors are not listed on the diploma, but they do appear on a students official transcript.
Honor Cords and Other Special Regalia
Honors cords will be available for purchase at the SSI Bookstore when you pick up your cap and gown. These are available for all undergraduate students earning graduation honors (3.25 CUM GPA or higher, based on cumulative GPA from next-to-last semester before a student graduates). The charge for the cord is $11.
A list of those students who have earned University academic honors will be provided to the bookstore by December 1, 2025. Students on the list will be entitled to purchase an honors cord. Please also refer to the Registrar's Graduation Checklist section on Graduation Honors.
In addition to honors cords, a number of University colleges, academic programs, honor societies, organizations, and clubs award special cords, stoles, pendants, and tassels to recognize their graduates. Please view Cords, Stoles, and Regalia for a list of those regalia. Please note that these regalia are not designed or distributed by the University, but by the organizations that sponsor them. However, to avoid duplication, any department or organization interested in introducing additional forms of these regalia should e-mail the Commencement inbox (commencement@wcupa.edu) prior to creating it.
Request to be added to the official list of cords and stoles must be submitted at least two months prior to commencement ceremony dates.
Senior Portraits & Serpentine Yearbook Information
Senior Portraits are available for a limited time beginning February 2, 2026.
WCU School Code – WCU2026
Your portrait isn’t just for school records; it’s a keepsake and professional asset. Portrait sessions are provided at NO COST with optional image purchases available.
Automatic inclusion of your portrait in the 2026 Serpentine yearbook
A polished photo for LinkedIn, job applications, and internships if you choose to
purchase your images
A lasting memory marking your final year at West Chester
Follow These Steps:
Visit our photographer's website - LaurenStudios
Create an online account by clicking on the GOLD tab
Enter your last name + school code: WCU2026
Follow the prompts to schedule your session
Any questions please email info@laurenstudios.com or call 951-272-8600.
Other Graduation Accessories
As you prepare to walk across that stage and into a new chapter of your life, commemorate this milestone with our stunning graduation rings, elegant announcements, and stylish affiliation accessories.
Rings are crafted with precision and care, symbolizing your hard work and dedication. Announcements are the perfect way to share your success with loved ones, and affiliation accessories allow you to proudly represent your alma mater or organization.
Order now to make your graduation day even more memorable!