graduations

Graduations are ceremonies and processes that mark the completion of an academic program or professional qualification. The term can refer to the act of graduating as well as to the ceremony in which a degree, diploma, or certificate is officially conferred. They occur at various levels, from secondary education to college, graduate, and professional programs, and may occur across different institutions and countries.

Historically, graduation traditions grew from medieval universities and have since evolved to include standardized regalia and ritual elements. Academic dress typically features gowns, caps (often mortars or similar headpieces), and sometimes hoods that indicate the degree level and field of study. In many places, tassels are moved from one side of the cap to the other during the ceremony to symbolize the transition from candidate to graduate. In addition, honors such as summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude may be awarded to recognize academic achievement.

A typical ceremony includes a procession of graduates, speeches from faculty or invited guests, the official conferral of degrees or awarding of diplomas, and often a closing or recessional. The exact sequence and customs vary by country and institution; some ceremonies distribute diplomas on stage, while others mail diplomas after the event. For doctoral graduates, hooding ceremonies may accompany the main graduation.

Cultural variations exist in dress codes, terminology (such as commencement versus graduation), and ceremonial practices. Regardless of format, graduations are widely regarded as milestone events marking the transition from student life to continued education, employment, or professional practice.