Sam Houston State graduates on FRIDAY 11 AND SATURDAY 12 DECEMBER 2026, with ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on each day, all at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum. The registrar's page assigns each college to one ceremony. Spring 2026 ran Thursday to Saturday, 7-9 May, in six ceremonies; Spring 2027 has not been published.
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What’s confirmed
Sam Houston State University, in Huntsville, TX, now publishes its Fall 2026 Commencement Schedule on the registrar’s page: Friday 11 and Saturday 12 December 2026, two ceremonies a day, all at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
| Day | Time | Colleges |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 11 Dec | 9:30 a.m. | Business Administration; Health Sciences (all except Nursing) |
| Fri 11 Dec | 2:30 p.m. | Criminal Justice; Health Sciences (Nursing only) |
| Sat 12 Dec | 9:30 a.m. | Education; Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Sat 12 Dec | 2:30 p.m. | Arts and Media; Science and Engineering Technology; Polytechnic |
Earlier this autumn SHSU’s academic calendar showed the commencement span as Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 December and marked it tentative. The registrar’s schedule above lists no Thursday ceremony, so this page carries Friday and Saturday only. Spring 2026 ran three full days, Thursday through Saturday, May 7-9, 2026, across six separate ceremonies; Spring 2027 has not been published.
A multi-day event, even at four ceremonies
Two ceremonies on each of two days still means family travel compresses Huntsville’s small hotel market for a stretch rather than a single afternoon. Your graduate’s college decides whether you need Friday night, Saturday night or both: a 9:30 a.m. ceremony turns a drive-in morning into a night before.
Where this fits with your hotel plan
See where to stay for the on-campus University Hotel and the overflow towns, Conroe and The Woodlands.
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Frequently asked questions
When is Sam Houston State's December 2026 commencement?
Friday 11 and Saturday 12 December 2026, per the Fall 2026 Commencement Schedule on the registrar's page. Earlier this autumn SHSU's calendar showed Thursday 10 to Saturday 12 December; the registrar's schedule lists no Thursday ceremony.
What time is my graduate's ceremony?
Friday 11 December: 9:30 a.m. for the College of Business Administration and the College of Health Sciences (all except Nursing); 2:30 p.m. for the College of Criminal Justice and Health Sciences Nursing only. Saturday 12 December: 9:30 a.m. for the College of Education and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; 2:30 p.m. for the College of Arts and Media, the College of Science and Engineering Technology and the Polytechnic College.
When is Sam Houston State's 2027 commencement?
Not yet published as of this writing. Spring 2026 commencement ran Thursday through Saturday, May 7-9, 2026, shown here as a labeled reference point.
How many ceremonies are there?
Four in December 2026, two on each of the two days. Spring 2026 had six ceremonies across three days.
Where is commencement held?
Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum, 1917 Bobby K Marks Dr, Huntsville, TX 77340, the university's standing commencement venue. SHSU's page says all ceremonies are held there.
Where does everyone stay for the weekend?
Our Sam Houston State where-to-stay page covers the on-campus University Hotel and the overflow towns, Conroe and The Woodlands.
How we verified this
Last verified:
- Sam Houston State University, Commencement (Fall 2026 Commencement Schedule: Friday 11 and Saturday 12 December; 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum)
- Sam Houston State University, Spring 2026 Commencement Info (official site)
This page is verified in two stages. Every fact is checked against the primary sources listed above, then the page is reviewed and signed off by our editor, A. Hassan. Corrections and enquiries: hello@graduationstay.com