Commencement

Submitting a petition for graduation is required for your degree or certificate to be officially awarded. When submitting a graduation petition, students will be asked to identify the year of the catalog from which they are graduating. Any modifications of graduation requirements must be approved by the department. A course substitution form must be completed with the program coordinator. The dean of the department also will review the document. If approved, the course substitution form will be submitted to Records and Registration.

Graduation petitions must be completed by the following deadlines to be eligible for graduation:

• October 1 for December graduation
• March 1 for May graduation or August graduates participating in the annual Commencement ceremony
• July 1 for August graduation

December, May, and August candidates may choose to participate in the annual Commencement ceremony, but it is not a requirement. 

Please note: Submitting a petition does not automatically register you to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.

Once petitions are reviewed and approved, students will receive the link to order the formal academic regalia for Prairie State College. Regalia orders must be placed before the portal closes on April 19, and it will be mailed directly to the address provided at the time of your order. Students who fail to order the official regalia will be unable to participate in the ceremony. 

Graduating members of the college's academic honor societies may purchase regalia items as mementos of their achievement. Honors stoles, cords, and tassels that are not provided by the college generally need to be purchased through the online store for their honor society. Students with questions about ordering academic honor society regalia items can reach out to their faculty advisor.

The finish line is near! Whether you're participating in the Commencement ceremony or not, all soon-to-be-graduates are invited to attend Grad Fest, a celebration filled with music, photo opportunities, and giveaways. Tickets, honors cords and medallions (if applicable) will also be distributed at Grad Fest.

Date: May 2026

The number of tickets each graduate will receive has not yet been determined. That information will be communicated via this page in March 2026. Please note that each person in your party will require a ticket, including children under the age of 2. The ceremony will be available for viewing via live streaming for those unable to attend in person.

You will have your picture taken on stage when you receive your diploma. To ensure you receive your photos, please complete the photography card using the link below. This will allow Empire Photography to contact you directly about your pictures. Please note that photos will not be sent to college personnel, so be sure to fill out the form. Complete the photography card using this link: empirephotos.com/prairiestategrad.

Graduate candidates and guests can park in the designated parking lot of the venue. Security and police will be on-site to assist. Please Note: Handicapped parking is limited, and wheelchairs will not be provided.

To ensure your participation in the ceremony, please plan to arrive at Tinley Park Convention Center by 10:30 a.m. With more than 200 participants in the ceremony, time is needed for the pre-ceremony check-in and line-up process. Graduates arriving after 11:30 a.m. will not be guaranteed an opportunity to participate in the ceremony. 

Guests may enter the facility at 11 a.m. All guests require a ticket to enter. 

Entry into the venue will end once the processional begins.

Prairie State College is committed to ensuring that all graduates and their loved ones can fully enjoy this milestone event. Graduates who need accessible seating or assistance for themselves or a guest must contact Shelley Tekeste, Coordinator, Access and Disability Services, at stekeste@prairiestate.edu by May 1, 2026. Seating in this area will be limited to the person requiring accommodations and one additional guest Space is limited, so it is important to submit this requests 

Please email commencement@prairiestate.edu if you or a guest require a sign language interpreter. 

Graduates will receive one copy of the commencement program. A program will be offered to guests, while supplies last. A digital copy of the program will also be made available to guests.

The following will not be allowed in the venue: balloons, confetti and glitter, drones, flowers, noisemakers, strollers, and all weapons including concealed firearms.

Smoking, food, or drinks are not permitted on the premises. Some protocols are subject to change due to state and local mandates. Please do not bring valuables into the venue. There is no place to secure these items. The only items you may carry during the processional must fit under your gown. 

As a guest, you can celebrate with our graduates even if you can't attend commencement in person. The link will be published by May 15, 2026. 

When you have completed the requirements for your degree, and your graduation petition has been approved, your transcript will be updated to show that your degree has been awarded. This can take up to five weeks after final grades are posted for the semester since every application must be individually reviewed to ensure that all the requirements for the awarding of the degree have been met. Students can order their transcripts at any time and request 'Hold for Degree to Post.' Once posted, the transcript will be mailed to the address on file. 

Degrees and certificates will be mailed to student homes in early to mid-July.