GCU Commencement for Online and Cohort Students

Spring 2024 online and cohort commencement registration is closed as of March 11, 11:59 pm (MST).

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

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.


Spring and Fall Commencement Eligibility Requirements

  • The College of Doctoral Studies requires the dean's signature on the completed committee-approved dissertation with a signed GCU D-80 form by close of business, 60 days prior to the date of the commencement ceremony.
  • For Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students, the College of Nursing and Health Care Professions requires the dean's signature on the completed committee-approved Direct Practice Improvement Project with a signed project sheet by close of business 60 days prior to the date of the commencement ceremony and have documented in Typhon a minimum of 1,000 Practice Immersion Hours.
  • Any questions regarding eligibility should be directed to your student services counselor.
  • For the Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision students, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences requires the dean's signature on the completed committee-approved dissertation with a signed GCU d-80 form by close of business, 60 days prior to the date of the commencement ceremony.

Spring Commencement Eligibility Requirements

  • Students expected to complete their degree between Jan. 1 and June 30
  • Degree posted or registered through completion with the end date of the final course ending on or before June 30, 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.

Fall Commencement Eligibility Requirements

  • Students expected to complete their degree between July 1 and Dec. 31
  • Degree posted or registered through completion with the end date of the final course ending on or before Dec. 31, 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 2024 Commencement Ceremonies

Wednesday, May 1

9 am

College of Humanities and Social Sciences
 (PhD and Master's)

2 pm

College of Doctoral Studies

College of Arts and Media

College of Engineering and Technology

College of Humanities and Social Sciences
 (Bachelor's)

College of Natural Sciences

College of Theology

Thursday, May 2

9 am

College of Nursing and Health Care Professions
 (DNP and Master's)

2 pm

Colangelo College of Business

Friday, May 3

9 am

College of Nursing and Health Care Professions
 (Bachelor's)

College of Education
 (Bachelor's)

2 pm

College of Education
 (Master's)


Fall 2024 online and cohort commencement will be announced shortly after the Spring 2024 commencement.

Dates and times of commencement ceremonies are 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].

Doctoral

graduate gown

Doctoral tam, gown, hood and tassel
$125.75
(rental cost, excludes tax and shipping)

Educational Specialist

educational specialist gown

Educational specialist cap, gown and tassel plus hood
$43.25
(excludes tax and shipping)

Master's - Front and Back

master's front and back

Master cap, gown and tassel plus hood
$39.25
(excludes tax and shipping)

Bachelor's

undergraduate gown

Bachelor's cap, gown and tassel plus stole
$32.45
(excludes tax and shipping)

Regalia Order Deadlines

Initial Deadline:

  • April 1, 20241
    11:59 pm (EST)

Final Deadline:

  • April 10, 2024
    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)

  • March 1, 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.

Download and 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.

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