Applying for Graduation

Students should plan to apply for graduation with a psychology adviser 2–3 quarters before their intended graduation quarter.

Step 1: Make an appointment with a Psychology adviser to submit your graduation appliation.

Step 2: After your application is submitted, you will receive an email from the Graduation Office with important details.

You must confirm the request in that email for the application to be processed.

Double Major or Double Degrees

If you are graduating with a double major or double degree, you must submit a separate graduation application with each departmental adviser.

Graduation Application Deadline

Graduation applications must be submitted by the third Friday of the quarter in which you plan to graduate (see the Academic Calendar for exact dates).

Students who would like Graduating Senior Priority (GSP) for registration should apply 2–3 quarters in advance of their intended graduation quarter.

Confirming Your Application

Once your graduation application has been confirmed and processed by the Graduation Office, your DARS will be updated to show a “Graduation Date” (e.g., WIN/2026, SPR/2026).

If the Graduation Date shows “Not Found,” this means your application:

• has not been submitted.
• has not been confirmed, or
• is still awaiting processing.

After submitting your graduation application, students planning to attend the Psychology Graduation Celebration, should click the RSVP button above.

Information about the UW Commencement can be found below.   

UW Commencement Program - Name Inclusion

If you would like your name listed in the University of Washington Commencement Program, you must submit your graduation application with a psychology adviser by April 17, 2026 (Aut '25 - Spr '26 graduates)

Summer 2026 graduates are welcome to apply to graduate and participate in both the University Commencement this spring. However, Summer graduates’ names will not appear in the Commencement program. 

 Psychology Graduation Celebration - Program Name Listing

If you missed the April 17, 2026 deadline for the UW Commencement Program, your name can still appear in the Psychology Graduation Celebration program as long as you RSVP for the departmental ceremony (Aut '25 - Sum '26 graduates). 

Yes! Undergraduate students (BA and BS): Make an appointment with one of the Psychology advisers

The Alaska Airlines Arena is located in the athletic village on the east side of campus. The event will be hosted in an indoor venue. View it on the UW campus map .

Doors open at 5:00 PM (main Arena Doors)
Students & Faculty Arrival: 5:30 PM (Loading dock doors, south side of the Arena, facing Husky Stadium)
Guest Seating: by 5:45 PM
Ceremony Begins: 6:00 PM

Graduating students should arrive no later than 5:30 PM to allow time for check-in and lineup.

A UW Special Event Parking Permit is required to park on campus for this event. Students may purchase permits for themselves and their guests through the Commencement Registration/Order Form from mid May to May 24, 2026.

Limited day-of parking may be available for an additional cost, but lot selection and availability are not guaranteed.

• For more information about which parking lots are closest to the Arena, click here.
• Graduates participating in the UW Commencement on June 13 can use the same parking information at the link above.

Family and friends are welcome to attend. Tickets are not required, and there is no limit on the number of guests you may bring. Seating is first come, first served.

International students: Review this information from International Student Services about inviting family members to visit the U.S. for the celebration.

The Alaska Airlines Arena is accessible and special seating sections will be available for family and guests who have difficulty with stairs (View Seating Map). A maximum of two people may accompany the individual needing accommodations into that seating area. Please seek an usher if you need additional assistance.

Parking for those with disabilities or limited mobility is available in lots close to Alaska Airlines Arena - E97 and E17. Vehicles displaying a state, UW, or government issued disability privilege may park in campus disability stalls in any lot.

A concession stand will be open for guests to purchase food and beverages. Available items include popcorn, hot dogs, pretzels, candy, soda, and bottled water.

Guests may bring empty refillable water bottles into the facility and fill them at water fountains located on the concourse level.

The ceremony will begin with a 30–40 minute opening program, including a welcome from the Department Chair and brief remarks from faculty and students. This will be followed by the recognition of graduates, as each graduate’s name is announced and they walk across the stage.

The full celebration typically lasts about 1.5–2 hours, depending on the number of graduates being recognized.

Arrangements have been made with GradImages to take individual photos of graduates after their names are called. These photos will be available for purchase after the ceremony.

GradImages will send each graduate a proof gallery by mail and email. Once proofs are available, graduates can also search for their photos on the GradImages website to make a purchase.

Register before graduation day to receive a coupon for 20% off a purchase of $50 or more.

No, unfortunately, the event will not be live-streamed. However, family and guests are welcome to live-stream or record your special moment and share it with those who are unable to attend.

Alaska Airlines Arena enforces a clear bag only policy. Any non-compliant bags must be checked into the UW Bag Check for a $15 fee. Bag checks will be conducted at the main floor entrances and at the Loading Dock entrance.

Balloons, artificial noisemakers, and confetti poppers are not permitted. If you bring balloons they will be kept outside of the arena tide to hand railing. Strollers may be parked at a corral near the NW entrance to the Arena; however, stroller parking is not attended. Alcohol and firearms are strictly prohibited.

Q: Are guests allowed to take pictures and videos during the ceremony?
A: Yes, guests are welcome to take pictures and videos during the ceremony. However, please be respectful and avoid disrupting the proceedings. Professional photographers will also be present to capture the event.

Q: Will the Arena be air-conditioned during the ceremony?
A: The Alaska Airlines Arena does not have air conditioning, but fans will be running to help circulate air throughout the space. We recommend that graduates and guests dress for warm weather and consider bringing personal fans for additional comfort.

Students who graduated, or are graduating, from autumn 2025 through Summer 2026 are eligible to participate.

RSVP information can be found below. 

Graduates who plan to attend the ceremony and would like their name listed in the 2026 Psychology Graduation Celebration Program should RSVP by:

• Priority deadline: Friday, May 29

• Final deadline: Thursday, June 4

Missed the RSVP deadlines? No worries—you are still welcome to attend! Please plan to arrive at Alaska Airlines Arena. Your name will not appear in the printed program if your RSVP was no submitted by the deadlines.

The celebration begins at 6:00 PM.

Graduating students and faculty should arrive by 5:30 PM and enter through the loading dock doors on the south side of Alaska Airlines Arena, facing Husky Stadium.

Guests should plan to arrive and be seated by 5:45 PM.

Arriving Late:
If you arrive late, the Loading Dock doors will still be open. Please enter through those doors and make your way to the arena floor, where you may find a seat and join the other graduates.

Leaving Early:
Graduates are expected to remain seated on the arena floor for the duration of the event, out of respect for other graduates being recognized. If you must leave early due to an emergency or prior commitment, the best time to depart is after your name has been announced and you have walked across the stage. Please exit quietly and in a way that does not distract others.

If you need to leave at another time, please move quietly to the nearest aisle and exit the floor area.

No. Graduates may sit in any of the chairs on the arena floor. Please use the designated graduate entrance and do not sit in the stands, as graduates must be seated on the arena floor to participate in the procession.

Approximately 25 seats will be marked “Psychology Honors Student.” These seats are reserved for Honors Program graduates who will lead the student procession.

Graduation regalia (cap and gown)  is optional, although most students choose to wear it. Business casual attire is also acceptable. Please arrive at Alaska Airlines Arena already dressed in your regalia. There will be no space to store personal belongings (bags or coats), so bring only minimal items.

Financial aid may be available for graduates who need assistance purchasing graduation regalia. Please email the Office of Ceremonies at commence@uw.edu to inquire.

Yes! Feel free to wear any additional regalia pieces that hold special meaning for you and/or your family.

Note: the Department of Psychology does not have its own stole.

Students can order graduation regalia by completing the Registration/Order  form (mid May - May 24) on the UW Commencement website.

Regalia can be picked up from the U Book Store during normal bookstore hours (June 2 - June 6).