Congratulations on nearing your doctoral degree completion. We look forward to celebrating your accomplishments. Please find details on the Graduate College Doctoral Hooding ceremony below and reach out to gradsuccess@illinois.edu with any questions.
December 2026 Doctoral Hooding Ceremony
Saturday, December 12, 2026
10:00 a.m.
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Foellinger Great Hall
The May 2027 Doctoral Hooding Ceremony will take place Thursday, May 13, at 6:00 p.m.
The Ceremony
This ceremony offers doctoral degree recipients, along with faculty mentors, a special opportunity to celebrate their achievement in a universitywide setting. The ceremony will include comments from campus leaders, and deans from each college and school will be present to congratulate students on their achievements. The focus of the ceremony is the formal "hooding" of doctoral degree recipients, often by faculty advisers.
Eligibility
Doctoral students (PhD, EdD, JSD, DMA and AudD) are eligible to participate in the December Doctoral Hooding Ceremony if they will finish the degree requirements for December 2026 or if they graduated in a previous term but have not yet participated in a hooding ceremony. Students graduating this semester must have deposited their dissertation with the Graduate College Thesis Office by the December 2026 doctoral deposit deadline of December 4, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. (CST) in order to participate.
Visit our Completing Your Degree page for more information.
Registration
Registration for the December 2026 Doctoral Hooding will open in late September. Registration for the May 2027 Doctoral Hooding will open in February 2027.
This registration is for the Graduate College Doctoral Hooding Ceremony only. For information and registration details for other Commencement ceremonies visit the Commencement webpage.
A photographer from GradImages will take pictures during the hooding ceremony and will send proofs via email following the ceremony along with ordering instructions, if you opt in to sharing your information during registration.
Please contact gradsuccess@illinois.edu with any questions about or changes to your registration.
Regalia
Academic attire is required for participation in the ceremony. Students may rent or purchase academic regalia. Regalia can be ordered online through Herff Jones at herff.ly/illinois.
Watch our short video tutorial to know what to expect during the hooding process.
Faculty Hooders
Faculty who are designated as a hooder do not need to independently register for the ceremony. Students will provide their hooders' information when registering, and the Graduate College will directly email all designated hooders with further instructions for the ceremony, including how to order rental regalia. Designated hooders who own regalia are welcome to wear their own set at the ceremony and do not have to rent through Herff Jones. We suggest students connect with their hooders to request their participation before completing the registration form.
Accessibility and Accommodations
If you, your hooder, or any of your guests require accessibility accommodations during the ceremony, please specify those needs when registering. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your needs. Reach out to gradsuccess@illinois.edu with additional requests and questions.
Guest Information December 2026
Tickets will be required to attend the December 2026 Doctoral Hooding Ceremony. Each graduate can request up to eight guest tickets during registration and may request additional tickets. Additional tickets will be distributed as space allows. The event will be livestreamed for family and friends who are unable to attend the ceremony in person.
Krannert Center will work with guests who require accessible seating, both to reserve seating and help guide guests to the appropriate sections.
Parking will be available in the garage below the Krannert Center on the day of the ceremony.