Support for Commencement Registration

Congratulations! As we are approaching graduation and commencement, this page is created to support you in eligibility and registration next steps. Your big day to walk the stage is forthcoming, so be sure to review all information carefully and get ready to take part in this special milestone. Please note, our office and this page, will only identify and support information specific to REGISTERING for commencement. Any EVENT-related questions should be reviewed on the commencement webpage and/or sent to the commencement@stmarys-ca.edu team email.

Graduation - refers to officially earning your degree. A fully completed academic evaluation will automatically communicate to our office that you are ready to be awarded in the system and prepare your diploma and transcript documentation.

Commencement - refers to the event ceremonies students attend to celebrate graduation. You may walk in the spring commencement if approved, and registered through GaelXpress. For more information, please read this page in its entirety below. Participating in commencement does NOT guarantee graduation.

Registration Important Dates:

• December 1st, 2025 - Commencement Registration opens on GaelXpress
• February 23rd, 2026: Last date to submit a Manual Commencement Eligibility Review Petition, if needed
• March 2nd, 2026: Last day to edit/submit your commencement registration on GaelXpress
   

Important Reminders:

• Check your listed academic program(s) in GaelXpress. If any program should be updated, added, and/or removed, be sure to complete a declaration on our student forms page.
• An active hold/restriction, cannot prevent SMC from posting your earned degree in the system, as well as prevent processing of your official transcript requests. Be sure to check if you have any active holds, including the Business Office, as it will prevent your diploma from being sent to you. business@stmarys-ca.edu or 925-631-4209.

GaelXpress Registration

Students intending to graduate should complete a Commencement Registration by the end of the fall Semester. The registration module is available online using GaelXpress. If your academic evaluation is either complete, or pending complete, you will have immediate access. Select Register to continue, and complete the process.

If you do not have immediate access to register, you will need to file a Manual Commencement Eligibility Review Petition. (Your Commencement Registration module will read "The data record did not pass the criteria specified in the rule"). The Registrar’s Office reviews all registrations, checks prospective graduate’s record of completed and registered coursework, and notifies students of their eligibility to participate in the commencement ceremony. 

• Traditional Undergraduate (TUG) Seniors may participate in commencement exercises provided they have no more than 8 units remaining toward their degree requirements and have submitted a plan to complete those requirements, and are in good standing.
• Graduate & Professional Studies (GPS) graduating students may participate in commencement exercises through manual review for eligibility. After form submission, our office will communicate with your department to come to a decision.
• Once the form for either student has been processed, our office will send a confirmation email to your SMC email address.
• Approval of the eligibility review petition is not registration. If approved, you will then need to register on GaelXpress.

Commencement Module

To complete the registration, you will need to complete all the information listed in the module.

• Full Name: Your full legal name as you would like it to appear. This name will appear in the commencement program and on your diploma.
• Commencement Term: Select the academic term during which you plan to participate in commencement.
• Phonetic Spelling: Write your name exactly as it sounds to help the announcer pronounce it correctly during the ceremony. Example: Michelle could be written as 'Mi-Shell'.

Program of Study

• Confirm your information as listed in the system! Diploma will read your degree type, and Major will read your program of study.

Commencement Details

• Diploma Mailing Address: Confirm your mailing address. If you would like your diploma sent to a different address, please input it here. If you would like to update your address in the system overall, please submit a 'Contact Information Update' form on our student forms page.
• Number of Guests: Input how many guests plan to be present for your big day. (12 Maximum — additional tickets may be available later as communicated by the commencement team)
• Military Status: Verify your military status, if applicable.
• Special Accommodations: Please input any support needed for the event, such as wheelchair access. (for students and/or guests)
• Cap Size: Select your cap size. (Regular: up to 7 ¾” or XL: over 7 ¾”)
• Gown Size: Select your gown size. (based on height, not gown length)