Commencement

Spring Commencement 2026

Empire State University is pleased to host commencement ceremonies in Albany, Manhattan, and Rochester, in May 2026. Visit the Ceremony Information page for more details.

Ceremony Livestream and Captioning

All SUNY Empire in-person commencement ceremonies are livestreamed. The livestream feed will be available at SUNY Empire Live approximately five minutes prior to the start of the ceremony and will end when the ceremony has concluded.

Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) captions can be accessed during all ceremonies on your mobile device.

Preparing for Commencement

Visit the Commencement FAQ page to find common questions and answers on topics such as eligibility, regalia, and what to expect at a ceremony.

Information about specific ceremony locations and venues will be added to the Ceremony Information page as it is available.

Photography and Videos

View and share the celebration! Photos and video of the winter 2025 commencement ceremonies are now available.

Notice of Photographic and Media Recording

When you attend an Empire State University commencement ceremony, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to such photography, audio, and video recording and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for Empire State University’s promotional and marketing purposes now and in the future.