Get ready for NAU Commencement
We’re proud of your accomplishments as a Lumberjack and want to help you prepare for this exciting day. To verify your college, please go to your LOUIE account and click on the Academics tab. If your college is listed as Provost Office, you will participate in the NAU Yuma college ceremony. The following information will provide details about regalia, announcements, and prepping for the ceremony.
928-523-5291
Eligibility for Commencement
Northern Arizona University holds commencement exercises in December and May of each year, and degrees are awarded at the end of Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer terms. Northern Arizona University commencement ceremonies recognize the conferring of degrees; students earning only a certificate are not invited to participate in the commencement exercises. Any concerns or questions about this policy can be directed to commencement@nau.edu.
- Baccalaureate degree students graduating in the spring or summer term are included in the spring ceremony, and their names are published in the May commencement program.
- Baccalaureate degree students graduating in the fall or winter term are included in the fall ceremony, and their names are published in the December commencement program.
- Graduate degree students graduating in the spring term are included in the spring ceremony, and their names are published in the May commencement program.
- Graduate degree students graduating in the summer, fall or winter term are included in the fall ceremony, and their names are published in the December commencement program.
Preparation for students ahead of commencement
Apply for graduation
Candidates with an approved graduation application on file with the Registrar are invited to participate in the Commencement exercises. Candidates must apply before the appropriate graduation deadline.
Apply now:
Purchase your cap and gown
The NAU bookstore and Herff Jones both offer convenient options to purchase all of your commencement items:
- Cap/tam, gown, tassel, honor cords, stoles of gratitude, and class rings
- Announcements and regalia
- Grad Fest (discounted regalia) will be September 24 – October 8 for Fall 2025
- Graduating students will receive more information to their NAU email in September
- Deadline for online cap and gown purchases is November 16 for Fall 2025
Graduate RSVP & guest ticketing information
Fall 2025 Commencement Ceremonies
The Graduate RSVP form will be open from September 29-November 14. All eligible graduates will be sent an email to their NAU email with the information in September 2025.
- Graduates must RSVP to participate in their commencement ceremony.
- Guests will NOT need tickets to attend the December commencement ceremonies.
The Graduate RSVP form will close on November 14 for the December 2025 ceremonies. Any graduates who miss the 11/14 deadline and still wish to participate in the December 2025 commencement ceremonies should contact commencement@nau.edu ASAP.
Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremonies
The Graduate RSVP form will be open from dates TBD. All eligible graduates will be sent an email to their NAU email with the information in January 2026.
- Guests ages 4 years or older WILL need tickets to attend the May commencement ceremonies.
Commencement t-shirts
Online orders will be available for pickup on the day of commencement. To receive your order, prior to the ceremony, please stop by one of our booths which are conveniently located on the east and west concourses of the Skydome.
Purchase your honors cord
The NAU Bookstore and Herff Jones both offer convenient options to purchase all of your commencement items:
- Cap/tam, gown, tassel, honor cords, stoles of gratitude
- Announcements and regalia
Undergraduates are eligible for Latin Honors if they have successfully completed 30 units at NAU and have an exemplary grade point average. Master students with a GPA of 3.9 may also purchase honor cords. Contact your academic advisor or Registrar.Graduation@nau.edu with any questions about your honors eligibility.
When and where to assemble
- Please arrive one hour prior to your ceremony start time. Enter through the West entrance of the Skydome with your regalia off and draped over your arm. Display your GradPass (emailed to you the week of Commencement) for entry. Proceed to the Skydome floor for student staging, accessed by the stairs at the north end of the Skydome.
- Only graduating students and faculty in cap and gown will be permitted to participate in commencement.
- Please do not bring anything with you to the student gathering area on the floor of the Skydome — leave coats, purses, etc. with family or friends.
- You will NOT be allowed to carry backpacks or bags/purses to the floor with you.
- Alcohol, air horns, balloons/beach balls are not permitted in the guest or student seating areas.
- More information is emailed the week of commencement.