Commencement

2026 commencement

Important Dates & Information

When and Where

The 2026 Commencement Ceremony will be held Saturday, May 2^nd at 11:30 am at the Chickasha Public Schools Activity Center, 201 John P. Cowan Dr., Chickasha, OK. Please report to the CPS Activity Center by 10:45 am on Saturday, May 2^nd.

The university will provide a charter bus for graduates that need transportation from the USAO campus to the CPS Activity Center. Please email registrar@usao.edu by Monday, April 20^th if you will be riding the charter bus so that we have an accurate head count.

Pre-Commencement Breakfast

The USAO Alumni & University Development Office will be hosting a Pre-Commencement Breakfast on Saturday, May 2^nd from 8:00 am – 10:00 am for graduates and their families and guests. Registration is required for this event. Please register here.

Rehearsal

Rehearsal will be on Friday, May 1^st at 3:30 pm at the Chickasha Public Schools Activity Center, 201 John P. Cowan Dr., Chickasha.  Please contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@usao.edu by Monday, April 20^th if you need transportation to rehearsal.

Guests and Tickets

Tickets will not be required for guests to attend. Seating will be on a first-come first-serve basis and there will be plenty of standing room for those who do not have a seat. Guests may begin arriving at 10:30 am.

Cap and Gown

The Bookstore ordered your cap and gown using standard sizes based off of the height you reported on your graduation application. Your cap and gown will be ready to pick up in the Bookstore on Friday, April 17^th. Please plan to wear any of your honor society stoles and/or cords, or any other stoles, cords, medallions you have earned while attending USAO to the ceremony. The Bookstore also has additional university approved stoles available for purchase. You are also permitted to decorate the top of your cap if you would like!

Cap and Gown Pictures

The USAO Alumni & University Development Office will provide free professional cap & gown photos! Please come to Troutt Hall Rm. 305 on Monday, April 27^th between 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm or Tuesday, April 28^th between 10:00 am – 12:00 pm to have your picture taken.

Accommodations

If you have any accommodation needs for yourself or your guests, please email disabilityservices@usao.edu by Wednesday, April 22^nd.

Photo Video

The MarComm Office is working on a video to commemorate our graduates. Please send 5-10 photos of your time at USAO here: Senior Slideshow 26.  Submit your photos by Wednesday, April 29^th to make sure they are included.

Senior Exit Exam

Before your diploma is released, you must complete a Senior Exit Exam. This is specific to your major. Some exits are completed with your department and others are exams administered in the Assessment Office. Contact the Assessment Office in Troutt Hall 318A, by phone at 405-574-1281 or email assessment@usao.edu for more information.

Holds

All debts to the university must be cleared, financial aid paperwork completed, and all library materials be returned in order for your diploma and final transcript to be released.

Transfer Credit

Official transcripts for courses taken off campus must be received in the Registrar’s Office by May 8, 2026 in order for you to meet graduation requirements for Spring 2026 or August 21, 2026 in order for you to meet graduation requirements for Summer 2026.

Incomplete Grades

If you have an incomplete grade, the grade change form from the instructor must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by May 8, 2026 in order for you to meet graduation requirements for Spring 2026 or August 21, 2026 in order for you to meet graduation requirements for Summer 2026.

Diplomas and Final Transcript

Graduates will be notified by email when final transcripts and diplomas are ready to be picked up. Diplomas not picked up within the specified time frame will be mailed to the address indicated on your graduation application. USAO is not liable for diplomas once they are mailed. Please notify the Registrar’s Office (registrar@usao.edu) if your address has changed.