University-Wide Commencement Participation Practice
The University-Wide Commencement Participation Practice is established to qualify students for participation in the Duke University Commencement Ceremony in Wallace Wade Stadium and the Baccalaureate Services in Duke Chapel. Students participating (i.e., walking) in the Commencement ceremony should have completed degree requirements (including free-standing certificates) in the preceding summer, fall, or will complete requirements in the current spring term. Students expected to graduate by the end of the subsequent summer term are eligible to participate (via school request).
Participation in a Commencement ceremony does not itself constitute conferral of a degree, nor does it imply an obligation on the part of the university to award the degree before all requirements have been met and certified. Duke University holds a Commencement ceremony once a year, at the end of each spring term.