Commencement FAQs

Students who are in good academic standing and have at least 100 units, including in-progress units, are eligible to submit an application for graduation in MyNEVADA during the application period.  Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an academic advisor to review their Academic Advising Report prior to submitting an application for graduation. Visit MyNEVADA Online Help for guidance on accessing and reading the report.

The graduation application period for each term opens when registration for that term opens. Eligible students must submit graduation applications in MyNEVADA by:

• March first for Spring,
• June first for Summer,
• October first for Fall.

To apply for graduation, select the "Apply for Graduation" tile in MyNEVADA, and follow the steps to complete the application process.  Students with a graduation application on file will not be assigned an enrollment appointment for future terms.

Students who will be completing multiple majors/degrees in the same term, may be required to submit multiple applications.  Go back to the first page and repeat application process for each major/degree.

A non-refundable fee of $145 will be charged to your account in the Student Center in MyNEVADA after your graduation application has been received. The fee will display in self-service with your other fees for the term.  The fee is due the Friday prior to the start of the term or 3-5 days after the application was submitted if the term has already started.

Neither official transcripts nor diplomas will be mailed for students who have an outstanding balance at the University.

You will receive a letter acknowledging receipt of your application in MyNEVADA. For undergraduate students the graduation status on your Academic Advising Report (AAR) will be updated from “Applied” to either “Needs to Finish Pending Work” or “Program in Review” no more than 5 business days after you submit your application.  For graduate students the graduation status will remain as "Applied".  You will need to contact the Graduate School at (775) 784-6869 to check your status and for any questions.

Approximately 5 working days after you submit your application, a graduation checklist will be added to your record in MyNEVADA. Access the “After Submitting My Graduation Application” file in MyNEVADA Online Help.

Yes, but you must submit an official transcript including the course(s) at the beginning of the semester and an official transcript including final grade(s) within 10 calendar days of the end of the term.

Students who are within 12 units of completing their graduation requirements and in good academic standing, may submit an Application to Participate in Commencement Outside of Official Graduation Term form. The deadline to apply to participate in commencement outside your official graduation term is one week prior to the commencement ceremonies.

The graduation program includes the names of graduation applicants only. The names of those participating only and not officially graduating are not included. 

Your degree will be posted at the end of the term if you successfully complete all of the requirements on your Academic Advising Report (AAR) by the last day of the term.

Meet with your advisor to discuss any unsatisfied requirements as soon as possible. Your advisor may access and review your AAR and see notes regarding deficiencies in MyNEVADA. You must work with your advisor to reconcile any deficiencies by the deadlines listed below.

• November first for Fall graduation applicants
• April first for Spring graduation applicants
• August first for Summer graduation applicants

If you have deficiencies that cannot be resolved until the end of the term, your advisor must send documentation showing how the deficiencies will be resolved to the Office of Admissions and Records prior to the reconciliation dates above. Students with a graduation application on file will not be assigned an enrollment appointment for future terms.

If you and your advisor decide that you cannot complete all requirements by the end of the term, address a request to withdraw your graduation application to graduation@unr.edu. Be sure to include your full name and date of birth in your request.

Students with a graduation application on file will not be assigned an enrollment appointment for future terms.

Your degree will be posted at the end of the term ONLY if you successfully complete ALL of the requirements on your Academic Advising Report (AAR) by the last day of the term.

So, if there is one unsatisfied requirement on your AAR, it is a big deal. See your advisor to resolve the problem early in the semester.

If you and your advisor decide that you cannot complete all requirements by the end of the term, address a request to withdraw your graduation application to graduation@unr.edu. Be sure to include your full name and date of birth in your request.

Students with a graduation application on file will not be assigned an enrollment appointment for future terms.

Graduation applications are reviewed in the Office of Admissions and Records as they are received. No more than 5 business days after you submit your graduation application, the graduation status for undergraduate students will be updated from “Applied” to either “Needs to Finish Pending Work” or “Program in Review”.  The graduation status for graduate students will remain as "Applied" and questions regarding your status can be directed to the Graduate School at (775) 784-6869.

Click the “Expected Grad Term” hyperlink near the top left of your AAR for definitions of these terms.

See the “After Submitting My Graduation Application” page in MyNEVADA Online Help for more information.

If you were enrolled in coursework at another institution during your graduation term, an official transcript including final grades for that work must be received in the Office of Admissions and Records before your degree will be posted. Transcripts are due no later than 10 business days after the term ends. Your degree will posted within 10 days of processing transfer work.

If you were enrolled only at Nevada for your graduation term, your graduation status was "Needs to Finish Pending Work" at the end of the semester, and you successfully completed all of the coursework in which you were enrolled for that term, your degree will be posted 5-7 business days after the term ends.

If your graduation status was "Program in Review" at the end of the semester, and you completed all outstanding graduation requirements by the last day of the term, your degree will be posted no more than 15 business days after the term ends.

As soon as your degree has been posted, you may order official transcripts. The conferral date on your transcript will be the day after the last day of finals.

Neither official transcripts nor diplomas will be mailed for students who have an outstanding balance at the University.

The top 10% of undergraduates from each college receive academic recognition. 

The calculation is based on the grade point averages earned by the graduating classes for the previous two academic years.  Because the graduation ceremony occurs before grades are final for the term, the academic recognition values listed in the graduation program and announced at the commencement ceremony are based on each student's grade point averages for the prior term.  Final grades are included in the calculation of the recognition values that appear on the diploma and transcript and may differ from what was previously announced.

Refer to the Academic Recognition section of the General Catalog for more detail on the policy.

Your name will be included in the graduation program if:

• You submitted your graduation application by the application deadline.
• You have not restricted release of directory information in MyNEVADA.

The graduation program includes the names of graduation applicants only.  The names of those who are participating only and not officially graduating are not included. 

Your "To Do List" will be updated from "Degree Posted" to "Diploma Mailed" when your diploma has been sent to the Post Office.

Diplomas are generally mailed 2-4 weeks after your degree has been posted on your transcript. The transcript is the document of record for employment and educational purposes.

As soon as your degree has been posted, you may order official transcripts. See "When will my degree be posted on my transcript?" above.

Neither official transcripts nor diplomas will be mailed for students who have an outstanding balance at the University.

Your diploma will be mailed to the mailing address you have entered in MyNEVADA. You may update this information in MyNEVADA.

Always keep the address information in MyNEVADA current.

If your diploma has not been received 6 weeks after the term has ended, contact graduation@unr.edu

Your degree title and major(s) will appear on your diploma. Your MINOR WILL NOT be included on your diploma, but it will be listed on your transcript.

Yes, you may apply to graduate in all degrees/majors in which you are currently active in MyNEVADA.  Please see MyNEVADA help for instructions.

You pay a single non-refundable graduation fee if you complete more than one degree/major in a single term.

Yes, you may earn one baccalaureate degree and apply to return to the University as a second bachelor's student to complete the second. But you are VERY strongly encouraged to first review the catalog copy on MULTIPLE MAJORS and MULTIPLE DEGREES, and then meet with your academic advisor to discuss the best option for you.

If you submit an application for graduation for some but not all of your active degree/major plans, you will be DISCONTINUED in the plans that are not referenced in your application if you have not submitted an application for admission to those plans as a second bachelor's student by:

• March 15 for Spring
• July 15 for Summer
• October 15 for Fall

Graduation attire can be purchased from the Wolf Shop beginning three months prior to the ceremony. At the Wolf Shop, students can purchase gowns and get discounts on class rings, graduation announcements, diploma frames and more.

The Wolf Shop will be open at 7:00 a.m. the day of Commencement and will have caps and gowns ready for any students who needs them at the last minute.

All Bachelor's and Master's attire (gown, cap, tassel, stole, hood) is purchased and are yours to keep.  You do not need to return them.  Doctorate attire may be rented or purchased. See the Wolf Shop for additional information.

Yes. Caps and gowns may be obtained from the Nevada Wolf Shop in the Joe Crowley Student Union anytime during the nine-week period before Commencement. Please contact the Nevada Wolf Shop if you have any additional questions or concerns.

For Bachelor's graduates, the purchase cost is $63.00 (includes cap, gown and tassel). 

For Master's graduates, the purchase cost is $63.00 (includes cap, gown and tassel) plus $45.00 for Master's hood.

For Doctoral graduates, the rental cost is $82.00 (includes mortarboard cap, tassel and gown) and the purchase cost begins at $765. 

For more information please contact the Nevada Wolf Shop.

Yes, but please be tasteful. No obscene logos or writing will be tolerated on the caps.

The tassel is on the right as a graduate crosses the stage.

Master's students wear their hood before the ceremony. Ph.D. students are hooded by their faculty advisor and should drape the hood over their arm while marching.

Graduates will be assigned a time to arrive to the ceremony on their GradPass.

For graduate accommodations please contact commencement@unr.edu. 

Graduates will be issued a GradPass. The GradPass is your electronic ticket into the event and will be used to announce your name when you cross the stage. Each GradPass contains a unique QR code.

You can look at the local weather forecast a day or so in advance for the most accurate information regarding weather. 

• Winter Ceremony: Will be held inside the Lawlor Events Center, however, you should dress accordingly for Winter weather.
• Spring Ceremony: Generally speaking, the ceremonies are cooler in the morning and quite warm in the afternoon, so bringing light layers is usually a good idea. In the event of inclement weather (i.e. snow or rain) the ceremony will be moved to the Lawlor Events Center. Should this happen, there will be signs and staff to guide both graduates and attendees to the correct location.

Tickets are not required for the ceremony. Seating is on a first come, first served basis.

All graduates will be called across the stage individually. Doctoral candidates will be hooded first, followed by Master's graduates and then Bachelor's graduates. Because students are not lined up in any particular order other than college, a time for when a particular student will be crossing the stage is impossible to determine.

Professional photographers from Pro Pics will be at the ceremony to take portraits of every graduate. Photos of the graduates crossing the stage, as well as individual portraits on multiple backgrounds, will be available for purchase from Pro Pics following the ceremony. To receive your proofs, please visit propics.com/unr to fill out your contact information prior to the ceremony. You can email questions about photos to info@propicsusa.com. There is no cost to have your photo taken and no obligation to purchase.

Faculty are encouraged to walk with the other faculty members unless you are hooding a Doctoral/MFA student. The line up for faculty will be by the honor court on the Southwest corner of the Quad near Morrill Hall or, if in the Lawlor Events Center, on the lower concourse via the ticket office entrance on 15th Street & Virginia. Please arrive 45 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.

Faculty advisors hooding a student will need to sit with their student. Hooding advisors and graduates must check-in at the Graduate School table located at the Northeast corner of the Quad, near the Paul Laxalt Mineral Engineering Building or, if in Lawlor Events Center, in the Silver and Blue room located on the lower concourse via the ticket office entrance on 15th Street & Virginia.

All ceremonies will be live streamed beginning 30 minutes prior to each ceremony for those not able to attend in person. The ceremonies will also be streamed to all monitors in the Joe Crowley Student Union Building on campus.

Parking is available at all three Parking Complexes on Campus. No University parking permits are needed to park in the parking complexes during commencement.

• Gateway
• West Stadium
• Brian J. Whalen

Spring Commencement: ADA and limited General parking is available in the new Gateway Parking Complex, located on the south end of campus with access via 9th St. and Virginia St. Additional General parking is available on the top levels of the Brian J. Whalen Parking Complex and the West Stadium Parking Complex, both accessed off of Virginia St. Shuttle service are available between the West Stadium Complex and the Quad. Shuttles run two hours before the ceremony begins and two hours after the ceremony ends. Please follow the shuttle loading/unloading signs to level three in the complex. Be advised there is no shuttle service from the Brian J. Whalen Complex.

Winter Commencement: All parking is in the West Stadium Parking Complex or the Brian J. Whalen Parking Complex.

Graduate Parking - In an effort to provide close parking for friends and family attending Commencement, we ask that graduates park in either the Brian J. Whalen Parking Complex or the West Stadium Complex. Parking permits are not required during this time frame.

For more information view the Parking Services website. 

General disabled parking spaces are located in both of the parking complexes and will be available during graduation.

• Winter: Disabled parking will be available on the first and second floors of the West Stadium Parking Complex.
• Spring: ADA parking will be available on levels 4-5 of the new Gateway Parking Complex, providing close access to the pedestrian bridge. If you need further assistance, there is a special designated drop off area for limited mobile guests near Morrill Hall, on thesouth side of the Quadrangle. Here, you may drop off guests requiring assistance along with one other individual. This can be accessed by taking Virginia St. to 9th St. and turning east at the entrance to the University marked by the University sign. Ushers will be available to provide a wheelchair escort upon request. A Lyft and Uber drop off area will be located on 9th Street, across from Jimmy Johns.

The University does not recommend any one hotel accommodation for special events. There are several downtown casinos which are located near campus. 

Seating is on a first come, first served basis and generally fills up relatively quickly. 

Seating will open an hour and a half prior to the start of the ceremony. The seating area will be cleared after the morning ceremony. Seats cannot be reserved in-between ceremonies. Any unattended taping off of chairs will be removed. 

This area is on a first come, first served basis. Reservations are not required. One attendant per person may sit with them in the designated areas.

• Winter: Guests requiring special accommodations may sit in the designated areas located on the upper concourse around the arena. 
• Spring: Guests requiring special accommodations may sit in the designated area on the west side of the Quad.

Because the disabled seating area is on a first come, first served basis and we need to try to accommodate as many individuals with disabilities as we can, only ONE of your family members may sit with them (i.e. one attendant per person).

No. 

Interpreters for the deaf will be present at the ceremony. This seating is clearly marked and anyone who has a hearing impairment is welcome to sit in this area. Seating in this area is on a first come, first served basis. Please follow the signs or ask a Student Ambassador for the location of the designated seating. Captioning is provided on the large video screen and also on personal handheld devices by using the QR code or the link in the program. In addition, captioning and a live stream of the ceremony will be played and on all tvs inside the Joe Crowley Student Union.

Graduate location is dependent on the college which they are graduating from. All graduates will cross the stage from right to left (from the perspective of the audience). More information on college location will be available as the ceremony approaches.

• Spring ceremonies: Restrooms are available west of Ross, west of the Scrugham Engineering and Mines building (public) and east of the Mackay Science building (graduates only).
• Winter ceremonies: Restrooms are located throughout the upper concourse of the Lawlor Events Center.

Non-custom graduation announcements can be bought in-store or purchased online at the Nevada Wolf Shop. The Nevada Wolf Shop also offers custom announcements from CB Grad and Jostens. To view style options please click the following links: CB Grad, Jostens.

Nevada graduation gifts are available at the Nevada Wolf Shop. The bookstore will be open beginning at 7 a.m. the morning of commencement. If you are from out of state you can have items shipped to you prior to coming to the ceremony by visiting the Nevada Wolf Shop website.

On the day of the ceremony, there will be a Wolf Shop table where you can buy a limited number of gifts, located in the Lawlor Events Center for the Winter ceremony and near the Quadrangle for Spring Ceremonies.

Water, coffee and food will be available for purchase during the ceremonies.

• Winter: Food and drink sales will be available within the Lawlor Events Center.
• Spring: A coffee cart will be located on the northeast side of the Thompson Building. There will also be water for sale at the Northwest and Southwest corners of the Quad. Create in the Pennington Student Achievement Center will be open during all ceremonies for food and beverage sales. Please note that for graduates only there will be bottled water available inside the gates and following the procession.