2025 Graduation Recognition Ceremony
RSVP by Monday, May 5 for SPAA's graduation ceremony!Saturday May 17th, 2025
8:30-9:30 AM
Burge Union | Forum CD
Each spring, the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) hosts a graduation recognition ceremony to recognize the Undergraduate, Master, and Ph.D. students who graduated or are graduating during the current academic year (this includes Summer 2024, Fall 2024, and Spring 2025).
The School ceremony is free and family and friends are welcome to join you, but we ask that graduates (guests do not need to register) please register. The form to register for graduation is here. RSVP by Monday, May 5, 2025.
The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences also hosts a master's hooding ceremony, which will immediately follow the SPAA event. It is at 10:30 am at the Lied Center. That ceremony allows students to choose a faculty member for hooding. This link will take you to more information about that ceremony.
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Frequently Asked Questions
This event celebrates graduates in the School of Public Affairs and Administration. If you graduated in the Summer of 2024, the Fall of 2024, or are graduating this Spring 2025, you are welcome.
Degrees/Programs Recognized:
- Undergraduate degree in public administration
- Undergraduate degree in law and society
- Master of Public Administration
- Master of Urban Planning
- Ph.D. in Public Administration
The ceremony will start at 8:30 AM. We will have a complimentary continental breakfast available before the ceremony for graduates and family members. We anticipate being finished between 9:30 and 9:45 AM.
We are asking graduates to arrive at 8:00 AM in time to check in and get lined up in time for the processional.
The event is business or smart casual attire. We recommend undergraduates and master's students wear regalia, and Ph.D. students can wear business attire or regalia. If you do not have any, please know you are welcome regardless. Master's students will be hooded and are advised to bring those to the event.
Fine Academic Regalia Consultation During Spring 2025 Grad Fair
Tuesday March 25 - Wednesday, March 26 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
(extended hours available upon request)
Kansas Union Ballroom, Kansas Union, Level 5
1301 Jayhawk Boulevard, Lawrence, KS
- Individualized guidance on fine academic regalia traditions as outlined by the American Council on Education
- Custom Fitting for your professional regalia
- Substantial savings on professional regalia packages
- Official University of Kansas Doctoral regalia in KU colors
If you prefer to rent your faculty academic regalia, the deadline for rentals for Spring 2025 graduations is Monday, March 31, 2025
Contact: Trish Jess, KU Bookstore, (785) 864-2474 , trishj@ku.edu
The Burge Union is located in the central district of campus. 1565 Irving Hill Road, Lawrence 66045. See map at the bottom of the page.
Parking is available in two parking garages located near the Burge Union. The Allen Fieldhouse Garage or the Central District Parking Garage 1 are both recommended. The Central District Parking Garage 1 is attached to the Burge Union. Parking rates are paid through the Park Mobile app. View a map of campus parking through this link >>
Master's students will be hooded by the SPAA faculty at this School ceremony. Students are not able to request a particular faculty member to hood you.
There is a separate master's hooding ceremony hosted by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences immediately following the SPAA ceremony. That ceremony allows students to choose a faculty member for hooding if you make arrangements in advance.
The College's ceremony is immediately following the SPAA event at 10:30 AM at the Lied Center. This link will take you to the College graduation site for detailed information.
No. The University Ceremony takes place on Sunday, May 18 10:30 AM at the David Booth Memorial Stadium. More information is available at commencement.ku.edu.