The National Commencement Ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate students and their accomplishments as they prepare to complete degree or program requirements with Relay Graduate School of Education. The Commencement Ceremony is a virtual event and will be viewable on Saturday, June 28th, 2025 at 1pm EST. Students, families, friends, and staff can view the ceremony the day of or afterwards to view a recording.
This article answers commonly asked questions about commencement and will continue to be updated as additional details are confirmed for this year’s ceremony. Students should check this page for updates and may email [email protected] with questions as well.
Questions about the Commencement Ceremony
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FAQs
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Response
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When is this year’s commencement ceremony?
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Relay’s National Commencement Ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 28th, 2025, at 1pm EST.
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What is the format of Relay’s commencement ceremony?
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Relay’s commencement ceremony is a virtual event, with opportunities for students, staff, families, and friends to view from wherever they are.
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Which Relay students are invited to the virtual commencement?
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All Relay graduates and candidates who have completed or are expecting to complete academic requirements in the Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025 terms are invited to view the virtual commencement ceremony.
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What can I expect in the virtual commencement ceremony?
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Students can expect to hear from student speakers, Relay leaders.
Names and photos of students who have completed an intent to complete form by the stated deadline will be included as part of the ceremony.
Full program details will be shared closer to the date of the event.
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How can I ensure that I will be recognized during commencement?
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Students must fill out an intent to complete form before the end of the term when they intend to complete in order to be recognized during commencement. Students who do not complete this form and include name pronunciation and photo will not be recognized during the ceremony. *This will not have any impact on your program completion
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Does being recognized at the commencement ceremony mean I’ve graduated from or completed my program at Relay?
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No, the commencement ceremony may recognize students who still have outstanding requirements in degree-granting programs, advanced certification programs, and/or certification programs.
Students who completed their program in Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 will receive their official program completion information prior to commencement.
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Can I participate as a reader, speaker, or in other ways during this year’s ceremony?
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We are looking for student participants in this year’s ceremony as writers, readers, and speakers. If you are someone who is completing your program this year and interested in participating in this year’s ceremony, you can use this form to apply and get more information on the different opportunities to participate. The participation form is due by March 17, 2025.
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Can I submit photos from my school or classroom to be included in this year’s commencement ceremony?
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Students participating in the 2025 virtual commencement have the option of uploading photos of themselves teaching or from their classrooms to display during our ceremony (this is separate from your individual photo you will upload in the intent to complete form) . Photo submissions are due by May 15, 2025. You can use this link to provide your photo submissions. Please ensure that your photos do not include any faces or identifying information of your PK-12 students.
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Will I be able to order regalia (cap and gown) for the virtual commencement?
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Yes, Students are able to order an optional cap and gown from a third-party vendor. Instructions on how to order regalia are available here. The regalia ordering portal will be open from January through June. Any student is allowed to order this regalia, regardless of the term in which they have completed or plan to complete their program. If students wish to have their regalia prior to the 2025 Commencement ceremony, they should order it no later than June 1, 2025.
Students are not required to order a cap and gown.
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Questions about Fulfilling Relay Requirements
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FAQs
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Response
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Does being recognized at the commencement ceremony mean I’ve graduated from or completed my program at Relay?
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No, the commencement ceremony may recognize students who still have outstanding requirements in degree-granting programs, advanced certification programs, and/or certification programs.
Students who completed their program in Fall 2024 or Spring 2025 will receive their official program completion information prior to commencement. Students who complete their program in Summer 2025 will be notified at the end of the summer term.
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When will I be formally informed about my program completion status, if not at the commencement ceremony?
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You will receive an email from the Registrar’s Office with your program completion status in the weeks following the term in which you complete all requirements for your program.
Students completing their program in Spring 2025 should expect to receive official program completion emails no later than June 20th. Students who complete their program in Summer 2025 will be notified at the end of the summer term.
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What do I need to do to receive my diploma/certificate of completion?
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Students must fill out an intent to complete form before the end of the term when they intend to complete in order to be considered for program completion and receive their diploma.
Students expecting to complete in the Spring 2025 term can expect to receive more details and instructions on next steps via email in March.
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When will I receive my diploma/certificate of completion?
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Program completion emails (which go out the week of June 17th for Spring 2025 graduates) will contain details on your diploma/certificate of completion.
Please note that commencement is not recognition of program completion or degree, and most eligible students will not receive their diploma until after the commencement ceremony.
Students with an outstanding balance owed to Relay may not receive their diploma/certificate of completion until after said balance is resolved, except where permitted by local/state law.
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