Commencement 2026

Herff Jones, Webster University's cap and gown provider, offers directions on how to wear your graduation regalia:

• How to wear your cap and gown — Bachelor's
• How to wear your cap and gown — Master's
• How to wear your cap and gown — Doctorate
• How to wear your cap and gown, hood only

Honor cords are provided by the individual schools. Students who believe they should receive one need to contact their respective dean's offices.

Students who are military veterans or active-duty military can pick up their military service cords on the day of commencement from the Student Veterans Association booth, located near the school check-in site in the Community Music School lobby.

You can also make a donation of at least your class year — $20.26 — and earn a Philanthropy cord!

Due to venue capacity, each graduating student is allotted four (4) guest seats. This count must be indicated on your mandatory Ceremony Registration Form.

Physical tickets will be required for guests to enter the ceremony. After completing the Ceremony Registration Form, a representative from your school or college will send a follow-up email within five business days detailing ticket retrieval instructions. It will be up to the student to hand those tickets to their guests prior to the start of the Commencement ceremony.

The Explore St. Louis site offers a list of St. Louis hotels and places to stay in the area.

Webster University has a large parking garage on Garden Avenue, located less than a block from the Loretto Hilton Center where Commencement will take place. Those with handicap placards for parking can park in the lots near the Thompson Music House and Browning Hall off of Big Bend Blvd., both just north of the Loretto Hilton Center. See the University's campus map for details.

Ceremonies typically last between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the number of graduates in that specific college/school block.

Accessible seating and accommodations are available at the Loretto-Hilton Center. Please ensure you clearly indicate this need on your Ceremony Registration Form so we can plan accordingly.

Your diploma will be mailed approximately 10 to 12 weeks after your official graduation date, provided you have successfully:

• Completed all academic requirements.
• Cleared your Student Business Office account.

Final transcripts, confirming your degree completion, will be available once the Office of Academic Affairs verifies all requirements are met and your financial account is clear. You can request transcripts through the Registrar's Office.

No. According to the U.S. Department of State, invitation letters submitted as part of the visitor visa process are not reviewed and are, therefore, unnecessary. The University does not write letters for family members and friends.

If you are graduating and have family and friends traveling to attend your Commencement Ceremony, you should provide details of the Commencement Ceremony (date/time/place, copy of your petition to graduate) to your family and friends.

For additional information about U.S. consulate or embassy locations and application procedures, review the U.S. Department of State visa information.

Important Note: Providing your family members with additional documentation may be helpful; however, there is no guarantee a visa will be issued.

For questions concerning Petition to Graduate or Steps to Graduation, please contact the Office of Academic Affairs at 314-246-6905 or email oacadaff@webster.edu.

For questions related to the Commencement ceremony, send an email to specialevents@webster.edu.