Spring 2023 Commencement Planning

Commencement Livestream

Guests who cannot attend commencement in person are invited to join us via livestream.

Video Archive

Recent commencement ceremonies are available for viewing in the ceremony archive.

Ceremonies

*Each ceremony includes designated academic departments and schools. All majors within designated colleges/departments/schools will march with their respective college/department/school with exceptions noted below.

10 a.m. Ceremony

COLLEGE OF ARTS & HUMANITIES
     Department of Art & Design (Also includes Visual Arts Education)
     Department of Communication (Also includes Associate in Applied Science & Bible)
     Department of English & Literature (Also includes Communication Arts/Literature Education)
     Department of History & Related Fields
     Department of Music & Theatre (Also includes Music Education)
     Department of World Languages (Also includes: English as a Second Language Education, Spanish Education)

COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
     School of Business
     School of Education (Only includes Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Social Studies Education)
     School of Nursing
     School of Theology & Ministry
        • Department of Biblical & Theological Studies (Also includes Associate of Arts & Bible, Certificate in Bible)
        • Department of Christian Ministries

2 p.m. Ceremony

COLLEGE OF GRADUATE, ONLINE & ADULT LEARNING
     Graduate Studies (All Master’s degrees and graduate certificates)
     Adult Undergraduate (Also includes Associate of Arts: General Studies)

COLLEGE OF BEHAVIORAL & NATURAL SCIENCES
     Department of Biology & Biochemistry
     Department of Computing, Data & Mathematical Sciences (Also includes Mathematics Education)
     Department of Engineering
     Department of Interdisciplinary Studies (Also includes Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies)
     Department of Physical Education, Health & Kinesiology (Also includes Physical Education)
     Department of Psychology, Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement

Eligibility for Commencement

May commencement includes all spring 2023 planned graduates, in addition to summer 2023 Traditional Undergraduate (TRAD) and Dual Enrollment
(DE) PSEO/PSOC planned graduates.

Regalia: Caps, Gowns, and Hoods

• Planned participating graduates will receive instructions of how to order regalia online.
  
• By Sunday, March 19, planned participating graduates must order regalia online.
• Regalia will be distributed at Grad Expo on Tuesday, May 2 (see below for details).
  
• Regalia must be returned to room G210 in the Billy Graham Community Life Commons following the commencement ceremony. Graduates may keep their cap and tassel.
• Members of honors societies will receive their cords from their respective departments. Eagle Scholars will receive their stoles from the director of the Eagle Scholars Honors Program. Medallions for academic honors will be distributed at commencement rehearsal.
  

Commencement Tickets

• Tickets are required for guests attending commencement in Knight Performance Hall.
• The number of tickets provided to each participating graduate is based on the total number of commencement participants.
• Tickets will be distributed to participating graduates at Grad Expo on Tuesday, May 2 (see below for details). Each participating graduate will receive 7 (seven) tickets.
• Overflow monitor viewing will be available in the Totino Fine Arts Center lobby. Tickets are not required for overflow viewing.

Guests and/or Graduates with Accommodation Needs

• To request an accommodation (e.g., wheelchair/ADA, hearing impaired or interpreter/translation requests, etc.) for guests and/or graduates
  attending commencement, please complete and submit an accommodation request form no later than Monday, May 1.

• Some hotels in the local area may offer reduced rates for those who indicate they are coming to the area to attend graduation at University of Northwestern.

Professional Photographers

• Each graduate will be photographed as diploma covers are presented and at a posed location at the side of the stage.
• After graduation, graduates will be given the opportunity to purchase photos directly from our contracted photographer, Legacies by Laura.

Diplomas

• Diplomas will be mailed to graduates in June. 
• Diplomas are sent after graduates have fulfilled all degree requirements and resolved any student account holds. This includes paying the graduation fee charged to the graduate's account the last term the graduate registers (undergraduate: $75; graduate: $100).
• Note: Diplomas list degree only. Transcripts list degree, major(s), and any minor(s).

Desktop Diploma

A Uploma™ provides another way to display a college degree. This desktop diploma is completely customizable to fit any major, achievements, graduation year, and school pride. You may order your Uploma online.

Grad Expo

Grad Expo is an open-house event for spring 2023 graduates to pick up regalia and commencement tickets, plus check in with several campus offices to prepare for a smooth transition from Northwestern. Students planning to graduate in May will receive an email invitation with more details prior to the event.

When: Tuesday, May 2, 2–6 p.m.

Where: Nazareth Great Room

Questions

Adult Undergraduate and Graduate Studies students: 866-492-7877 or 651-628-3400; AGS@unwsp.edu

Dual Enrollment students: 888-216-0069 or 651-631-5300; DE@unwsp.edu

Traditional Undergraduate students: 800-692-4020, ext. 5119; or 651-631-5119; registrar@unwsp.edu