GCU Commencement for Traditional Students

Winter 2025 traditional commencement registration is closed as of November 7, 11:59 pm (MST).

Invitations to register for the traditional commencement ceremony were emailed directly from GCU on September 17 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.

Each commencement ceremony, where the degrees are presented and names are read of graduates in attendance, will be live streamed at their corresponding date and time. After the ceremony, the video will be accessible on GCU’s YouTube channel. Click the buttons below to view each live stream.

View Live Stream for:
April 23, 10 am Ceremony
Dec. 11, 4 pm Ceremony
April 24, 10 am Ceremony
Dec. 12, 10 am Ceremony
Dec. 12, 4 pm Ceremony

The Winter 2025 Commencement program recognizes graduates both in attendance as well as those celebrating from afar. Click below to browse graduate names by college and degree program.

Frequently Asked Questions
Travel and Parking Details

Questions regarding the commencement ceremony can be directed to [email protected].

Parking Details

See below for important parking instructions. Ground student classes will be in session and resident students will be moving out during this time. Traffic to and on campus will be exceptionally busy. Please follow designated parking locations and instructions carefully.

Travel and Parking Details
Move-Out Information and Maps

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.

Important Times

10 am Ceremony:

  • Graduate candidate check-in is from 8 – 9:30 am
  • Doors open at 8 am
  • Commencement ceremony times are from 10 am to approximately 11:30 am

4 pm Ceremonies:

  • Graduate candidate check-in is from 2 – 3:30 pm
  • Doors open at 2 pm
  • Commencement ceremony times are from 4 pm to approximately 5:30 pm

Ceremony Reminders

  • Your guests must have general admission tickets to enter the Global Credit Union Arena. We ask all ticketed guests to be seated at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.
  • Graduate candidates will check in and then be seated on the arena floor by degree program with the help of a commencement staff member.
  • There is no ceremony rehearsal. We will have staff onsite the day of the ceremony to help you with any questions and lead you through your check-in process, helping with any last-minute touch ups on regalia and taking a seat on the arena floor to enjoy and partake in your commencement ceremony.
  • If you have a fellow classmate, within the same college and degree level, that you would like to sit with, please meet up at check-in and go together to be seated on the arena floor.
  • Please arrive wearing your regalia (cap and gown). If time allows, you may be able to do a final touch up on your attire.
  • Wear comfortable shoes; high heels are not advised.
  • Ceremony duration is approximately an hour and a half.
  • The first-floor concession stand in Global Credit Union Arena will be open. Sealed bottled water will be allowed; however, no outside food is allowed into the GCU Arena unless medically necessary.
  • When entering the arena, a clear bag policy will be enforced. If needed, clear bags can be purchased on campus at the Lope Shop, Building 24.
  • Metal detectors/bag checks will be in use. The following items are prohibited for arena entry: weapons of any kind, including, but not limited to, firearms, knives, pepper/OC spray, stun guns or brass knuckles, illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia, noisemakers, alcohol, glass bottles, balloons, flags or banners, wrapped packages or gifts, pets (service dogs are permitted), strollers, wagons or car seats. There is no storage for personal belongings.

Come to celebrate your great accomplishment! Congratulations!

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 summer 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 2025 Commencement Ceremonies
(All events in AZ time)

TBD

Wednesday, April 23

10 am

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

4 pm

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Thursday, Dec. 11

10 am

College of Arts and Media
College of Education
College of Humanities and Social Sciences

4 pm

College of Arts and Media
College of Education
College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Friday, Dec. 12

10 am

Colangelo College of Business
College of Theology

4 pm

College of Engineering and Technology
College of Natural Sciences
College of Nursing and Health Care Professions

Spring 2026 traditional student commencement will be announced shortly after the Winter 2025 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.
  • 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.

GCU Hood and Tassel Colors

Academic DegreeCollegiate Colors
Arts, Letters, HumanitiesWhite
BusinessDrab
EducationLight Blue
EngineeringOrange
Health Science and Mental Health ScienceGold
Math, Science and Technology ScienceGold
NursingApricot
Public Administration (MPA), Government and Justice StudiesPeacock
Public HealthSalmon Pink
TheologyScarlet

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:

  • November 14, 20251
    11:59 pm (EST)

Final Deadline:

  • November 26, 20251
    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)

  • October 23, 2025
    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!

ALUM IN THIS HOUSE!