Participation in the Graduation Ceremony

The University conducts commencement ceremonies twice per year, at the conclusion of the spring and fall terms for all candidates. At the end of the summer semester, a commencement is held to honor nurse anesthesia and nursing practice students who have completed their graduation requirements for their degree.

Candidates for graduation are not required to attend the commencement ceremony to be considered "graduates." The petition application is available on the Office of Student Records webpage under Online Forms.

Participation of Undergraduate Students

Undergraduates who will complete their requirements during summer only may petition through the office of their dean to the Provost and Senior Vice President to participate in the spring commencement ceremony on the following conditions:

Be within 8 credit hours of completing graduation requirements. The student must be able to complete the remaining courses during summer (courses must be offered and the student must meet all prerequisite requirements).
Have a cumulative 2.0 GPA and meet any additional GPA requirements as required by the program of study at the time of petition.
Recognize that the actual graduation date listed on the diploma will be the graduation following the documented completion of all requirements.
Note that approved petitioners may be able to participate in both the robing and graduation ceremony although a faculty member may elect not to robe students who have not completed their requirements.
Finally, note that students approved to participate in the spring ceremony are entitled to a letter from the University Registrar/Provost certifying that they have completed all requirements once, in fact, final requirements are met. This may occur prior to the actual graduation date entered on the diploma.

Participation of Graduate Students

Graduate students who have not completed the graduation requirements may petition their program director to participate in hooding and graduation ceremonies on the following conditions:

Have documented rationale, beyond the student's control, that prevented completion of all requirements by the graduation date.
Recognize that the degree conferral date on the diploma will be the last business day of the month in which requirements are completed.
Note that participation in hooding or graduation ceremonies does not, in itself, mean a diploma will be awarded at that time. The diploma will only be awarded after the completion of all coursework is approved.
Recognize that diplomas will not be issued over university recognized holidays.

School Related Requirements

School of Business

May have no greater than 6 credit hours remaining for degree completion.

School of Education

No additional requirements.

School of Health Professions

Counseling: MFT Doctoral students must have completed their dissertation and plan to defend within 3 weeks of the ceremony.
GPNA: Must be scheduled to complete residency within 3 months.
FNP: Must be scheduled to complete scholarly project within 3 months.