Information for Graduates

Applying for Graduation or Finishing a Certificate or Add-on

Congratulations on your upcoming program completion! UNC Pembroke confers degrees three times per year- fall, spring, and summer. Commencement ceremonies are held twice a year, each winter to recognize summer and fall graduates, and each spring to recognize spring graduates. All coursework must be complete before you are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony. 

Degree Completion (licensure or certificate completion see next section)

  1. Complete a Graduation Application (Certificate and Add-on Licensure Completion Application link is below in teal) the semester before your final semester. Applications are due by March 1 for Summer/Fall graduation and October 1 for Spring graduation. 

Note: All degree-seeking students are required to complete the graduation application even if you do not plan to participate in the graduation ceremony. Candidates who are unable to participate in the ceremony may request permission to graduate in absentia (NOTE: You will still need to complete the graduation application in addition to the absentia application if you plan to graduate in absentia). The application for absentia can be found here

Degree-seeking graduation application

 2. Complete all degree requirements before the degree is conferred.

 3. Be enrolled in a course during the semester of graduation.

Certificates or Licensure Add-on completion

(Note: Students completing certificate or add-on licensure programs are not eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony.)   

1. Complete the application belowNOTE: Applications are due by March 1 for Summer/Fall completion and October 1 for Spring completion. 

Certificate and Add-on Licensure completion application

 2. Complete all requirements before the certificate is conferred or licensure is recommended.

 3. Be enrolled in a course the semester you plan to complete the requirements

Before Graduation (including regalia and tickets)

Several activities and events will happen before you actually graduate and walk across the stage at UNC Pembroke.

  1. The Graduate School will complete a degree audit once we receive your application for graduation. The process of clearing you for graduation usually takes a few weeks, and you will receive an email notifying you when the process is complete. The email will also include a list of outstanding course requirements (based on current course registration).
  2.  Order your Cap and Gown
    • You will receive your Cap and Gown during Grad Finale (March 13th and 14th, 2024). Information about Grad Finale will be emailed to you a few weeks before the event. If you can't attend Grad Finale, you will receive email communication approximately one week after Grad Finale with details on ordering your Cap and Gown by mail.

3. Ticket information- Spring '24 commencement

  • At this time, we plan to hold the ceremony outside with no limitations on number of guests. Tickets will not be needed for spring commencement unless graduation is moved inside due to inclement weather (see the inclement weather plan information below).

  • Inclement Weather plan
    • The inclement weather plan (only) will be a ticketed event, with the commencement ceremony being held in the Given Performing Arts Center at 6:00 pm. The ticket count for each graduate will be 4 tickets. 
      • Graduates will receive their tickets when they check-in for the graduation lineup in the Auxiliary gym starting at 4:30 pm. 
        • Each graduate will be responsible for coordinating the distribution of their tickets to their guests.
        • All tickets are general admission seating.
        • An overflow space will be available for additional guests who would like to watch the ceremony and join the reception following the ceremony.

 4. Candidates who are unable to participate in the ceremony may request permission to graduate in absentia. The application for absentia can be found here

Graduation Day - Spring 2024

The Graduate School commencement ceremony will take place Friday, May 3, 2024, at 6 p.m., on the Quad (adjacent to the Mary Livermore Library). Please read all the following information very carefully.

Key information for graduates:

  • 5:00 p.m. report to the Auxiliary Gym in the Jones Athletic Center for preparation and instructions.
  • Parking is available in Lots 10, 12, 16, 16A, 17 and 19. Handicapped accessible parking is available in Lots 16A and 22. Please see the campus map for parking lot locations.
  • During the ceremony, University Marshals will lead you to the stage where your name will be announced, your hood will be draped over your shoulders; you will receive a degree cover and have a picture taken with Chancellor Cummings.
  • Do not wear your hood.  Have your hood ironed (if desired) and on your arm.  You will be hooded on stage by Dr. Aiken as part of the ceremony.
  • Professional photos of graduates will be taken during the ceremony. Information about the photo(s) will be mailed to the graduates after commencement.
  • After the ceremony, a reception will be held for graduates and guests.
  • Photographs of each graduate will be taken during the ceremony and available for purchase at a later date. Information will be sent to the graduates after commencement.
  • The UNCP Alumni Association will collect updated information for graduates. The Alumni Association wants to keep you informed and involved in the life of UNCP.

Ticket information- Spring '24 commencement

  • At this time, we plan to hold the ceremony outside with no limitations on number of guests. Tickets will not be needed for spring commencement unless graduation is moved inside due to inclement weather (see the inclement weather plan information below).

  • Inclement Weather plan
    • The inclement weather plan (only) will be a ticketed event, with the commencement ceremony being held in the Given Performing Arts Center at 6:00 pm. The ticket count for each graduate will be 4 tickets. 
      • Graduates will receive their tickets when they check-in for the graduation lineup in the Auxiliary gym starting at 4:30 pm. 
        • Each graduate will be responsible for coordinating the distribution of their tickets to their guests.
        • All tickets are general admission seating.
        • An overflow space will be available for additional guests who would like to watch the ceremony and join the reception following the ceremony.

Attire

Graduates are required to wear university-approved academic regalia. For graduate students, this entails wearing a black gown and mortarboard, provided through the bookstore.  During the ceremony, those earning a master's degree will have a hood trimmed in velvet draped on their shoulders. YOU DO NOT WEAR your hood to the ceremony but have it ironed (if desired) and draped across your arm. 

Beneath your gown, you should dress nicely in dress pants, a skirt or dress, and comfortable shoes.  You will be walking quite a distance and possibly over grassy or unpaved areas. Cords, stoles, and sashes for graduation honors, honorary societies, and other university-affiliated organizations may also be worn. Any deviation from these guidelines must be approved by the Office of the Provost.  

Special Circumstances

Only students who have completed the requirements for the master’s degrees may participate in commencement exercises. Requirements for graduate students may be found in the Graduate Student Handbook. With the exception of degrees in memoriam, only graduates who are attending commencement exercises will be formally recognized during the ceremony.

Decorum

Graduates are expected to honor the dignity associated with commencement exercises and maintain an appropriate measure of decorum during the graduation ceremony. In addition to wearing appropriate attire, graduates shall refrain from disruptive behavior, which includes but is not limited to, stepping, stomping, hopping, or chanting. Graduates shall process across the stage in a measured, safe, and professional manner. Please be reminded that this is a university event, and all graduates are subject to discipline under the Student Code of Conduct. Transcripts may be held until the adjudication process is complete.

Key information for guests:

  • Parking is available in Lots 10, 12, 16, 16A, 17 and 19. Handicapped accessible parking is available in Lots 16A and 22. Please see the campus map for parking lot locations.
  • 4:45 p.m. guests can start being seated in the Quad. 
  • The UNCP Bookstore will sell roses, balloons, and alumni gear.
  • 5:30 p.m. seating area will close. All guests should be seated.
  • Need Commencement Accommodations (Sign Language Interpreter, Braille or Large Print Programs, Accessible Seating, etc.)?  Contact the Accessibility Resource Center or 910.521.6695.

For more information about the graduate commencement ceremony, please contact The Graduate School at 910.521.6271 or grad@uncp.edu

Ticket information- Spring '24 commencement

  • At this time, we plan to hold the ceremony outside with no limitations on number of guests. Tickets will not be needed for spring commencement unless graduation is moved inside due to inclement weather (see the inclement weather plan information below).

  • Inclement Weather plan
    • The inclement weather plan (only) will be a ticketed event, with the commencement ceremony being held in the Given Performing Arts Center at 6:00 pm. The ticket count for each graduate will be 4 tickets. 
      • Graduates will receive their tickets when they check-in for the graduation lineup in the Auxiliary gym starting at 4:30 pm. 
        • Each graduate will be responsible for coordinating the distribution of their tickets to their guests.
        • All tickets are general admission seating.
        • An overflow space will be available for additional guests who would like to watch the ceremony and join the reception following the ceremony.

Schedule of Events

 

4:45 p.m.

Faculty and administrators will robe and line up on the first floor of Lumbee Hall.

 

The platform party will robe and line up in the Chancellor's Dining Room.

5:00 p.m. Graduates are to meet in the Auxiliary Gym of the Jones Health and P.E. Center
5:30 p.m. Entrances close and guests should be seated.
5:45 p.m. Processional of graduates, faculty, and platform party.
  A reception will immediately follow the ceremony.

 

After Graduation

  1. Diplomas will be mailed early the following semester after grades are processed and diplomas have been printed. Diplomas will be mailed to the diploma mailing address on file in Braveweb. 
  2. Candidates who are unable to participate in the ceremony may request permission to graduate in absentia