College of Arts and Sciences

The Spring 2026 College of Arts and Sciences Commencement Ceremonies will be held on Saturday, May 9, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

For details, visit appstate.edu/commencement.

Graduate students will wear their hoods to the commencement ceremony but will not be hooded during the event. Some departments hold special hooding ceremonies prior to commencement.

• Department of Biology: May 8, 5-7 PM, RSW 158

• Department of Government and Justice Studies – MPA and MAPS: May 8, 3-5 PM, PSU 118 (Solarium)

• Department of History: May 8, 2-4 PM, Belk 114

• Department of Interdisciplinary Studies – Appalachian Studies: May 9, 10 AM-12 PM, LLA 205 (Great Hall)

• Department of Mathematical Sciences: TBA

• Department of Physics and Astronomy – Engineering Physics: May 7, 5-6:30 PM, Garwood 108

• Department of Psychology – IOHRM: May 8, 2-4 PM, PSU 420 (Parkway Ballroom)

• Department of Psychology – Psychological Science: May 8, 11 AM-1 PM, PSU 137ABC (Grandfather Mountain Ballroom)

• Department of Psychology – School Psychology: May 8, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM, PSU 201AB (Blue Ridge Ballroom)

To view a campus map, visit maps.appstate.edu.

The Appalachian State University mace is carried by a senior faculty member in all academic processions. Traditionally, the macebearer precedes the chancellor of an institution, both upon entering and leaving a ceremony. The mace serves as a symbol of authority just as it did during the Middle Ages, when a macebearer accompanied an official taking office or opening court.

The App State mace symbolizes the university’s mountain heritage, the rustic location and the sophistication of an emerging, national leader in higher education. To learn more about the App State mace's design, visit appstate.edu/commencement.