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 (links to both appear below) the semester before their 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

To be eligible for Certificate completion or Licensure Add-on (Note: Students completing certificate or add-on licensure programs are not eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony.)  NOTE: Applications are due by March 1 for Summer/Fall completion and October 1 for Spring completion.  

1. Complete the application below

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 they 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. Cap and Gown
   • You will receive your Cap and Gown during Grad Finale (usually in October for winter commencement and March for spring commencement). 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- Fall '23 commencement

• More information will be forthcoming as it becomes available.

 3. 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 - Fall 2023

The Graduate School commencement ceremony will take place Friday, December 8, 2023, at 7 p.m., in the Givens Performing Arts Center. Please read all the following information very carefully.

Key information for graduates:

• 5:30 p.m. report to the Auxillary 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.

Attire

Graduates shall wear university-approved academic regalia to the commencement exercises. Those earning a bachelor’s degree wear a simple black gown with long, pointed sleeves and a square mortarboard. In addition to the black gown and mortarboard, those earning master’s degrees wear a hood trimmed in velvet. 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. YOU DO NOT WEAR your hood.  Have it ironed (if desired) and ready to be placed on your shoulders during the ceremony. 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.

Special Circumstances

Only students who have completed the requirements for the bachelor’s or 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.
• 5:45 p.m. guests can start being seated in the Givens Performing Arts Center. 
• The UNCP Bookstore will sell roses, balloons, and alumni gear.
• 6:30 p.m. seating area will close. All guests should be seated.
• Commencement Accommodations (from the Accessibility Resource Center)
• Overflow seating with a livestream of the ceremony will be made available in the James B. Chavis Student Center.

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

Schedule of Events

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 permanent address on file in Braveweb. 
2. Candidates who are unable to participate in the ceremony may request permission to graduate in absentia.