The College of Education's 2026 Graduation Celebration will take place on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 7:00-9:30pm, in the Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. 

College of Education Graduation Celebration

Balloons and graduates

Congratulations, Class of 2026! 

The College of Education will hold its 2025 Graduation Celebration on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 7:00-9:30pm, in the Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.  We look forward to welcoming and celebrating with all our graduates and their guests!

Please see below for information about degree completion, event preparation, and registering for graduation.  If you need more information, please contact the Office of Student and Academic Services, 206 Miller Hall, at 206-543-7834, or via e-mail at edinfo@uw.edu.

Can’t make it to the graduation celebration? No worries! We’ll be live streaming the event on our YouTube channel. Watch it here:

Watch the livestream here

Students who have graduated or are graduating between Summer 2025 - Summer 2026 are eligible to participate in the College of Education Graduation Celebration. To be included in the graduation program and to participate in the celebration please fill out the College of Education Graduation RSVP form below by May 24th.

Student RSVP - COMING SOON

Important Notice: June 2026 will be a busy time at the UW, as students move out of residence halls and graduation celebrations – including Commencement on June 13 – take place across the University.

Another event taking place in Seattle that could impact your Commencement-related travel and lodging plans is the 2026 FIFA World Cup. If you are traveling to Seattle in June, we suggest booking your rooms and travel as early as possible.

Matches begin in Seattle on June 15 and we expect many hotels will be full, with prices higher than normal around this time. Since the World Cup draws soccer fans from around the globe, Seattle-area hotels are expecting June bookings to ramp up during the holidays. Many are expected to sell out during this time.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

How do I apply to graduate?

If you plan to graduate in Spring 2026 and you wish to have your name listed in the 2026 University of Washington Commencement Program, you must complete one of the following steps:

*Summer 2026 graduates should not take these steps until the beginning of Summer quarter.

 

All students who plan to participate in the graduation celebration event on June 9, 2026 should submit the College of Education Graduation RSVP form. 
Where can I find additional information about completing degree requirements?

If you are a Spring 2026 graduate, refer to the links below for further information about completing your degree requirements. 

Please note: If you plan to complete your degree in Summer 2026, information about completing degree requirements will be sent to you at the beginning of Summer quarter.

All students who plan to participate in the graduation celebration event on June 9, 2026 should submit the College of Education Graduation RSVP form. 
Can I meet with someone about degree completion?
  • Undergraduate students (ECE, ECFS, ECO, EDST, ELS): make an appointment with the adviser for your major.
  • MIT students: You will receive an email from our Certification Officer, Michael Nielsen, regarding the steps you need to follow in order to graduate and be recommended for your certificate.
  • M.Ed./Ed.S./Ed.D./Ph.D. students: We will host information sessions for doctoral students (Ph.D./Ed.D.) and Master of Education students (M.Ed.) during the month of April.  Please watch for email announcements from the Office of Student and Academic Services. Student and Academic Services will also offer graduation check in appointments later in Spring quarter.

EVENT DETAILS FOR GRADUATES

How do I RSVP for the ceremony? Who can walk in the CoE graduation?

Students who graduated, or are graduating, from Summer 2025 through Summer 2026 are eligible to participate. Students who wish to have their name listed in the 2026 College of Education Graduation Program should submit CoE Graduation RSVP form no later than Sunday, May 24. 

If you miss this deadline please contact the Office of Student and Academic Services at edinfo@uw.edu. You will be asked to provide us with your name, degree, program of study, adviser’s name, and the title of your doctoral dissertation (if applicable).

When should I arrive?

The start time for our celebration is 7:00pm. We ask graduating students to arrive at 6:15pm, and guests to arrive and take their seats by 6:45pm.

What if I arrive late or need to leave early?

If you arrive late please check in with one of our ceremony staff. Someone will help you get seated and give you instructions.

Graduates should expect to remain in the floor seating area for the duration of the event, out of respect for other graduates who are being recognized. If must depart early for and emergency or for a prior commitment, the optimal time to leave is during (or immediately after) the time your degree group is recognized on stage - simply exit the area in a way that doesn't distract others.  If you need to leave at a different time, please move quietly to the nearest aisle and then away from the stage.

What should I wear?

For graduates, wearing graduation regalia is encouraged, but not required. Plan to arrive at HecEd dressed in your regalia.

Financial aid may be available for graduates who need assistance in purchasing graduation regalia. Please email the Office of Ceremonies at commence@uw.edu to inquire.

Can I wear an honor cord or stole with my regalia?

Yes, we encourage additional regalia pieces that have special meaning to you and/or your family. 

How do I order graduation regalia?

Students graduating in the 2025-26 academic year can order graduation regalia by completing the Registration/Order form at the UW Commencement website.  Regalia can be picked up from the UW Bookstore in late May and early June. 

What can graduates bring into the arena? 

Graduates should not bring anything with them that cannot fit into a pocket. We encourage you to not bring other bags or purses as there is no secure location to store them. Any bags that are brought must follow the arena clear bag policy. No backpacks or alcohol is allowed. 

EVENT DETAILS FOR GUESTS

When is graduation and when should I arrive?

Graduation takes place June 9, 2026.

The doors open at 6:00pm and the start time for our celebration is 7:00pm.  We ask graduating students and faculty to arrive at 6:15pm.  Doors will open at 6:00pm, and we encourage guests to arrive and take their seats by 6:45 pm. 

Where is graduation located?

Our College of Education Graduation Celebration is hosted at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Hec Edmundson Pavilion is located in the athletic village on the east side of campus and is an indoor arena.

Address: 3870 Montlake Blvd NE, Seattle, WA 98105

View it on the UW campus map.

Where should I park?

Parking near the Hec Edmundson Pavillion can be purchased the day of the event, or ahead of time (view below on ahead of time purchases). For more information on which lots are nearest to the Hec Edmundson Pavillion, view the parking maps here.

Campus parking for Commencement (June 13) and for all graduation events (including School, College, departmental, and student groups events) occurring June 2 through June 15, between 6 a.m.- 9 p.m., will require a parking permit.

Graduates will be able to pre-purchase campus parking permits for any event they are attending when they register to participate and order their caps and gowns – on this website via the Registration/Order Form (opens early May – exact dates TBD). (2025 Commencement prices: $19.25 if purchased via the online form and $20.25 if purchased on the day of the event.)  Since lots often sell out, we highly recommend pre-purchasing permits on the form.  This is the only way to guarantee you have parking in the lot you desire.

In order to fairly distribute parking spaces, the Registration/Order Form will limit each student to a reasonable number of parking permits for the particular event they are attending. Graduates will receive their permits when they pick up their orders. Students may purchase additional permits (if available) at this time. Depending upon availability, it may be possible to exchange one parking permit for a permit on a different day or in a different lot.

Once purchased no refunds will be available for parking permits.

How many guests can I bring? Do they need tickets?

We do not require tickets for the College of Education Graduation Celebration, and there are no restrictions on the number of guests you may bring.  

International students: review this information from International Student Services about inviting family members to visit the U.S. for the celebration. 

Will accommodations be provided for persons with disabilities?

The HecEd Pavillion is accessible and we will have a seating area for persons using wheelchairs or walkers who need special assistance or accommodations. A maximum of two people may accompany the individual needing accommodations into that seating area. Please contact the Office of Student and Academic Services at edinfo@uw.edu if have questions or need assistance.  

Are food and drinks allowed inside Hec Ed?

Food and drinks may be restricted inside the ceremony area. However, concession stands will be available for purchasing food and drinks outside the main ceremony area. Available items include popcorn, hot dogs, pretzels, candies, sodas, and bottled water.

Guests may bring empty refillable water bottles containers into the facility and fill them at water fountains on the concourse level.  

What is the program like for this event?

The first 30-40 minutes of the program includes a welcome from the Dean and brief remarks from community and student speakers. This will be followed by recognition of the graduates.

Where can I access graduation photos?

We have made arrangements with a photography company, GradImages, to take individual photos of graduates as their names are called. These individual photos will be available for purchase after the ceremony. GradImages will mail and email graduates individual proof galleries. Once proofs are sent out, graduates can search for the photos on the GradImages website to purchase. 

Will the event be live streamed?

Yes! The College of Education Graduation Celebration will be live streamed on the College of Education YouTube Channel during the ceremony and the recording will be available immediately after to watch on the College of Education's YouTube channel. 

 Are guests allowed to take pictures and videos during the ceremony?

Yes, guests are welcome to take pictures and videos during the ceremony. However, please be respectful and avoid disrupting the proceedings. Professional photographers will also be present to capture the event.

Are there any bag policies or item restrictions? 

Hec Ed has a clear bag policy for the event. For security purposes, all bags will be subject to search. Guests are advised only to bring essential items and limit the size of their bags. Packages need to be unwrapped or wrapped in such a way that the contents inside can be seen.

Any item not on the list of approved items will not be allowed into the stadium unless otherwise approved and properly inspected. Certain items are strictly prohibited, including but not limited to weapons, alcohol, drugs, large signs, confetti, noisemakers, and balloons. 

Contact us

For more information, please contact the Office of Student and Academic Services, 206 Miller Hall, at 206-543-7834, or via e-mail at edinfo@uw.edu.

University of Washington Commencement

The 2026 University of Washington Commencement Ceremony will take place on the afternoon of Saturday, June 13, at Husky Stadium.