Graduation & Commencement Information
Graduation Information for ALL Students
All students must apply for graduation the semester before you plan to complete program requirements (see dates below). You must apply to graduate even if you do not intend to participate in a Commencement ceremony. You may apply earlier than the deadlines posted below.
Graduation Application Deadlines
• May applications are due by October 31
• July applications are due by October 31
• December applications are due by March 31
Graduation Dates
Graduation dates are NOT the same as Commencement dates. McKendree awards degrees
three times a year on the following dates: May 31, July 31, and December 31. If you
complete coursework earlier in the term, your degree will not be posted until the end of the term. Diplomas will be mailed within 14 days of the
date the degree is conferred provided all accounts with the University are clear.
Participation in Commencement
McKendree University holds Commencement ceremonies once each year at the end of the spring semester (in May at the Lebanon campus). Students who complete degree requirements as of December 31 are invited to participate in the Commencement ceremony held the following May . For example, if you graduate in December, 2023 you may attend Commencement in May 2024. Students who complete requirements in May or July should plan to attend the May ceremony the year in which they graduate (May and July 2024 graduates may participate in the May 2024 ceremony.)
PLEASE NOTE: Participation in the Commencement Ceremony is not a guarantee of graduation. Degrees for May graduates are conferred on May 31 and for July graduates are conferred on July 31 provided all requirements for the degree are met.
Graduation Honors
Students graduating from McKendree University may be awarded Latin honors; the criteria are:
- Completion of 60 or more letter-graded hours at McKendree
(courses taken using the credit/no credit option are not letter-graded) and - Achievement of the required minimum cumulative grade point average:
3.600 for cum laude
3.750 for magna cum laude
3.950 for summa cum laude
Commencement Photographer
We strongly encourage our graduates and families of our graduates to take full advantage
of the professional photography services provided. Enjoy your day and let the "pros"
take care of the rest!
Jon Cannon Photography
617 N. Market Street
Mascoutah, IL 62258
McKendree Commencement Photo Gallery
For More Information
Academic Records Office
(618) 537-6819
