Formal Commencement ceremonies are held at the University of Denver at the end of the spring terms.

Participating in commencement does not constitute official graduation. It is a celebration that signifies the completion of the appropriate degree requirements and has no academic or legal implications.

Commencement Program

The Commencement program lists the names of all graduation candidates who applied at the appropriate time to receive degrees at that specific commencement ceremony. The appearance of a name in the program does not guarantee a student’s graduation at that time unless all degree requirements have been completed.

Spring Commencement

Spring Semester

The Sturm College of Law’s Spring Commencement occurs at the end of the spring semester, normally in mid-May. Students who have completed all graduation requirements during autumn or spring semester of the current academic year are invited to participate in the ceremony.

Spring Quarter

Commencement occurs at the end of the spring quarter, normally in early June. Students who have completed or will complete all graduation requirements during autumn, winter, spring and summer quarters of the current academic year are invited to participate in the ceremony.

Note: Students who have only completed a certificate program are not included in the commencement program or ceremony.

Diplomas

Diplomas are issued eight to ten weeks after the conclusion of the term in which the student graduates. 

Diploma Name Policy

The student name listed on a diploma or certificate must match the official name on file at the University (first name, middle name, last name), with the following exceptions:

• option of first name or initial;
• option of diminutive or alternate form for the first name;
• option of a first name which conforms with the graduate's genuine expression of gender identity;
• omission of the first name when the middle name is used as a salutary name;
• option of middle name or initial;
• omission of the middle name;
• inclusion of former or maiden name(s);
• inclusion of proper capitalization and accentuation of name; and,
• inclusion of Hispanic maternal surnames.

Neither titles nor degrees previously earned will be included as part of a graduate's name on a diploma.