Graduation
Law school graduation is a joyous weekend for graduates, faculty, families and friends.
Activities begin with the Hooding Ceremony at the Lied Center, where each graduate is individually recognized. An open house follows at Green Hall. The next day, graduates participate in the time-honored walk down Campanile Hill during the all-university commencement ceremony at Memorial Stadium.
Hooding Ceremony: May 13, 2023
The University of Kansas School of Law Hooding Ceremony will be from 1-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at the Lied Center. Tickets will be required. Following the Hooding Ceremony, there will be a reception and open house at Green Hall.
All December 2022, May 2023 and August 2023 JD, MS, LLM, and SJD graduates are invited to participate in the law school Hooding Ceremony and University Commencement.
Information about steps graduates will need to take to prepare for graduation and the Hooding Ceremony is in the accordion menu below.
KU Commencement: May 14, 2023
University Commencement is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 14, 2023.
To participate in the procession, you should assemble with fellow graduates on Memorial Drive at 10 a.m., 30 minutes before the ceremony's start time. Graduates will walk down the Hill by school. The School of Law is first in line on the east side. More information about the ceremony and the walk down Campanile Hill is at commencement.ku.edu/participate.
Heels are not allowed on the football field, so wear flat-soled shoes for the procession and ceremony.
Check commencement.ku.edu for event updates.
Graduation and Hooding Ceremony Checklist
Law students need to verify their graduation date by checking the graduation list maintained by the registrar. Contact Registrar Jennifer Kent at jenkent@ku.edu.
Additional steps:
- Complete the Online Application for Degree Form in Enroll & Pay
The Career Services Office will conduct exit interviews with each member of the graduating class. Dates are to be determined.
Associate Dean Crystal Mai hosts a mandatory Hooding Ceremony information meeting in the spring. At this meeting, we review te ceremony process and students pick up their Hooding Ceremony tickets.
The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 13 at 12:30 p.m. in Room 104.
The third-year class votes to select faculty members who will be asked to serve as Marshals and the Hooder. Marshals lead the class into and out of the Lied Center auditorium fo the Hooding Ceremony. Students will be notified when the ballot is available.
Graduation announcements are available to order from Jostens through the KU Bookstore.
Regalia (hood, robe, tam and tassel) will be available for purchase from the Kansas Union Bookstore. For more information, visit the KU Bookstore.
All family and friends attending the Hooding Ceremony, including young children, must have a ticket. Graduates will not need a ticket.
There typically is not a limit on the number of tickets you may request.
Check back for more information about how to sign up for tickets.
There is no formal dress code for the Hooding Ceremony. However, it is recommended that you wear flat or low-heeled shoes. Additionally, it is helpful to have something to anchor your hood if you are planning to participate in the University Commencement ceremony. Safety pins or a buttoned shirt usually work well.
The School of Law Hooding Ceremony will be from 1-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at the Lied Center.
Ceremony instructions are typically posted in April and distributed at the Mandatory Hooding Ceremony Information Meeting in the spring.
KU Law traditionally hosts a reception and open house following the Hooding Ceremony. Graduating students and their family members are encouraged to stop by.
An RSVP form for the reception will be sent out in March.
Mini-composite photos will be available for pick-up from the main administrative office (202) starting January 9. If you had your photo taken for the class composite stop by and pick up one.
Graduates are encouraged to follow the university's process for receiving their diplomas. Graduates who prefer to have their diplomas be mailed must complete the Diploma Delivery Request function in Enroll & Pay. Be sure to update your mailing address.
Visit the KU Commencement website for more information about diploma distribution.
