GCU Commencement for Traditional Students

Invitations to register for the traditional commencement ceremony were emailed directly from GCU on September 20 to eligible graduate candidates’ email addresses on file. Graduate candidates who have not received their email invitation by the end of September should check their spam and junk folders or contact their student services counselor.

For questions regarding registration status or if a confirmation email was not received, please email the Commencement Office at [email protected].

It is strongly recommended that graduation candidates and guests avoid securing travel preparations until the graduation candidate has registered and received a confirmation email acknowledging ceremony participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Coming Soon

Stay tuned for information regarding ceremony agendas, travel, parking and more. Please check back regularly as the information on this page will be updated from now throughout the time leading up to commencement.

Winter and Spring Commencement Eligibility Requirements

Winter Commencement Eligibility Requirements

Expected fall semester graduates
Degree posted or registered through completion, with the end date of the final course being on or before the end of the fall semester, not based on credit hours
Includes all transfer credit so students must have any additional transfer credit on file in order to be considered eligible

Any questions regarding eligibility should be directed to your student services counselor.

Spring Commencement Eligibility Requirements

Expected spring and summer semester graduates
Degree posted or registered through completion, with the end date of the final course being on or before the end of the fall semester, not based on credit hours
Includes all transfer credit so students must have any additional transfer credit on file in order to be considered eligible

Any questions regarding eligibility should be directed to your student services counselor.

Winter 2024 Commencement Ceremonies
(All events in AZ time)

Friday, December 13

10 am

Colangelo College of Business
College of Engineering and Technology
College of Natural Sciences
College of Theology

4 pm

College of Arts and Media
College of Education
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
College of Nursing and Health Care Professions

Spring 2025 traditional student commencement will be announced shortly after the Winter 2024 commencement.

Dates and times of commencement ceremonies may be subject to change.

Regalia for Graduating Lopes

Regalia includes the emblems and insignia worn by graduate candidates as a sign of distinction and formality. Master’s degree candidates’ regalia includes gown, mortarboard (cap) and tassel plus hood. Bachelor’s degree candidates’ regalia includes gown, mortarboard (cap) and tassel plus stole.

Gowns have distinguishing marks to indicate the level of scholastic achievement:

Doctoral degree gowns have velvet accents on both bell-shaped sleeves and front lapels.
Education specialist gowns are similar to Doctoral with black velvet accents.
Master’s degree gowns have trimmings and long oblong sleeves that drape at waist.
Bachelor’s degree gowns have trimmings, a purple stole and pointed sleeves.

GCU Hood and Tassel Colors

Academic Degree	Collegiate Colors
Arts, Letters, Humanities	White
Business	Drab
Education	Light Blue
Engineering	Orange
Health Science and Mental Health Science	Gold
Math, Science and Technology Science	Gold
Nursing	Apricot
Public Administration (MPA), Government and Justice Studies	Peacock
Public Health	Salmon Pink
Theology	Scarlet

For doctoral, education specialists and master’s candidates, hoods display the school’s colors, the type of degree and area of study. They are worn around the neck and flow down the back. The inside lining is GCU colors in a chevron pattern. The color and width of the velvet edging on the hood indicates the degree and field of study. Bachelor candidates do not wear hoods.

Regalia Costs

Herff Jones is Grand Canyon University’s commencement regalia vendor. To order regalia, graduate candidates must be registered for commencement. Please use the Herff Jones regalia link that appears in the confirmation email once registered for commencement.

Graduate candidates who do not plan to attend their commencement ceremony can still order a cap and gown for a memento. For the vendor contact information to place an order, please send an email to [email protected].

Master’s – Front and Back

Master cap, gown and tassel plus hood
$67.25
(rental cost, excludes tax and shipping)

Bachelor’s

Bachelor’s cap, gown and tassel plus stole
$57.75
(excludes tax and shipping)

Regalia Order Deadlines

Initial Deadline:

Nov. 15, 2024¹
11:59 pm (EST)

Final Deadline:

Nov. 22, 2024¹
11:59 pm (EST)

¹ There will be a rush fee for any order that is placed after the initial deadline.

Nursing Pin Deadline (DPN, MSN and BSN Students)

Oct. 21, 2024
11:59 pm (EST)

Nursing degree candidates wishing to purchase a nursing pin to represent degree completion through GCU can order their pin through the regalia link provided in their registration confirmation email.

Print Banners, Lawn Signs and Posters

It’s time to show off your Lope pride in honor of you or your GCU graduate! Celebrate graduation and welcome the newest member into the GCU alumni Herd with these ready-to-print banners, lawn signs and posters. If using an outside printer, first check with them on what products they are able to print. They will be able to provide details on what materials they have available. Each product has a few common sizes available for download.

CONGRATULATIONS

PROUD GCU ALUM!

I’M A 2024 GCU GRAD!

PROUD PARENT OF A GCU GRAD!