Commencement

The university holds commencement ceremonies twice annually. In December, undergraduate and master’s graduates are recognized together at a combined Fall Commencement ceremony. In May, Spring Commencement ceremonies honor undergraduate students within their individual schools, while master’s graduates are recognized at a dedicated Master’s Commencement ceremony.

Recently hooded master's graduate receiving their diploma during Commencement

Spring Master’s Ceremony

Friday, May 15, 2026
Dewar Arena, Alumni Field House

  •   The ceremony will begin at 5 p.m.
  •   Doors will open at 4 p.m.
  •   Eight guest tickets are issued to each student

  Watch Ceremony Live Stream

Information for...

Graduate posing for a photo with their family on a sunny day

Spring Undergrad Ceremony

Saturday, May 16, 2026
Dewar Arena, Alumni Field House

  •   There will be three ceremonies:
    • 9 a.m. - School of Sciences
    • 1 p.m.  School of Liberal Arts and Business
    • 4:30 p.m. School of Education, Human Ecology and Sports Studies
  •   Doors will open 60 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony
  •   After the ceremony, students will be led by a faculty member directly to their reception in the academic quad
  •   Six guest tickets are issued to each student

9 a.m. - School of Sciences

Undergraduate Programs

  • Anthropology
  • Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Chemistry
  • Computer Science
  • Criminal Justice
  • Earth Science
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Geography
  • Geology
  • Gerontology Studies
  • Mathematics
  • Meteorology
  • Physics
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Statistics

Graduate Programs

  • Biology
  • Lake Management
  • Museum Studies

  9 a.m. Ceremony Live Stream

1 p.m. - School of Liberal Arts and Business

Undergraduate Programs

  • Professional Accounting
  • Africana & Latino Studies
  • Art and Design
  • Business Administration
  • Communication Studies
  • Digital and Studio Art
  • Economics
  • English
  • French and Francophone Studies
  • History
  • International Studies
  • Media Studies
  • Music
  • Music Industry
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science
  • Spanish
  • Theatre
  • Women's and Gender Studies

  1 p.m. Ceremony Live Stream

4:30 p.m. - School of Education, Human Ecology and Sports Studies

Undergraduate Programs

  • Dietetics
  • Education, Adolescence
  • Education, Elementary
  • Exercise Science
  • Fashion and Textiles
  • Food Service & Restaurant Administration
  • Human Development Family Studies
  • Human Ecology
  • Sport Management

Graduate Programs

  • Educational Technology Specialist
  • Literacy Education
  • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • School Counselor
  • Special Education

   4:30 p.m. Ceremony Live Stream

Information for...

 

Celebrate on Social

Graduates, friends and family are encouraged to use the hashtag #OneontaGrad in social media posts, use our social media filtersdownload a Facebook banner and download a printable sign (check back in April for 2026 designs)!

Order lawn signs from Red Dragon Outfitters

Congratulations to our fall 2025 graduates!

Students, family and friends gathered inside Alumni Field House to celebrate graduates during SUNY Oneonta’s Fall Commencement exercises on Dec. 7, 2025.

Ceremony Recording

A video of the ceremony is available on YouTube:

  Watch Ceremony Recording

Photography

Photo galleries of highlights from the ceremony and Pass Through the Pillars will be uploaded to the SUNY Oneonta Photo Library as quickly as possible:

Ceremony Photos

Pass Through the Pillars Photos

Genesee Photo, a professional photography firm, offers special portrait packages of each graduate, taken at their ceremony. Pictures can be viewed and ordered online, and the firm will be in contact with the graduates' families by email and mail.

Questions

Commencement questions may be directed to 607-436-2748.