Graduate Studies

Caps and Gowns

  • The University Bookstore is the sole provider of officially licensed Western Illinois University graduation regalia. Caps, gowns, tassels and hoods are available from the University Union Bookstore beginning March 19, 2024. Online orders may be placed at wiu.edu/bookstore. Graduates will wear black caps and gowns.
  • The cost is as follows:
    • $75.00 for master and specialist degrees
    • $108.00 for doctorate degrees
  • Orders may be shipped via UPS until April 26, 2024.
  • For more information visit wiu.edu/bookstore

Commencement Programs

  • Students must have their graduation application on file in the School of Graduate Studies by March 10 (for spring graduates) and October 10 (for fall graduates) in order for their names to appear in the program.
  • Students who have invoked the Privacy Act will not have their names appear in the online program or released to their local media by University Relations.
  • The commencement program will be available online.

Hometown Newspaper Notification

The office of University Relations posts graduates' names, academic distinction, degrees and majors online at www.wiu.edu/CountyNews and sends a listing of graduates to hometown newspapers after degrees have been conferred, approximately 2-3 weeks after the ceremony.