Congratulations, Alverno Graduates!
Commencement is a time to celebrate you — not only the degree you have earned and all you have learned, but also the ways in which you are ready to use your talents to strengthen your community.
Shortcuts:
Key Dates and Deadlines
Please refer to the dates below as your guide to prepare for your upcoming graduation and the commencement ceremony.
Important Dates for Spring 2026
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Mid-Late February | Receive email with commencement ceremony info and be enrolled in Commencement Brightspace Module |
| March 15 | Last day to apply to graduate for spring 2026 |
| April 1 | Commencement regalia order deadline for shipping to Alverno |
| April 15 | Last day to apply to graduate for summer 2026 |
| April 24 | Excellence in Leadership Awards and First-Gen Cording Ceremonies |
| April 27 | Commencement regalia order deadline for shipping to home |
| April 30 | Grad Finale |
| May 2 | Cultural Ceremonies |
| May 15 | Baccalaureate Mass |
| May 16 | Commencement Ceremony |
Steps to Graduate and Earn Your Degree
Before applying for graduation, review your anticipated completion date in Self Service to ensure all program requirements will be completed by the end of your final semester. This date can be viewed at any time during your academic career.
To view your anticipated completion date:
- Log in to Self Service
- Click on the Student Planning tab
- Click on View Your Progress
- Your anticipated completion date is listed in the At a Glance section.
If the date is incorrect, email registrar@alverno.edu to review the date for correction.
Submit your Graduation Application via Self Service in the Graduation Overview section one full semester before your final semester. This application is mandatory and is used by the Registrar to confirm your eligibility to graduate and earn your degree and participate in the commencement ceremony in May.
Upon completion of the application, a $175 graduation fee will be added to your student account, which you can pay in Self Service. If you have questions about this payment, please contact Student Accounts.
Diplomas
Diplomas will be mailed in the summer for May graduates, in fall for August graduates and in spring for December graduates. Please make sure your address is up to date in our system. If you prefer to pick up your diploma, there is an option in the graduation application to mark that you prefer to pick up your diploma once it is available.
Graduation and Degree Questions
If you have any questions about completing and earning your degree, please contact the Registrar.
Participate in the Commencement Ceremony
Students on track to graduate will receive an email in mid to late February with information about the commencement ceremony. You will be enrolled in a Commencement Module on Brightspace. This course will provide valuable information for commencement and will outline the steps you need to complete to participate.
Only degree-seeking students who have completed, or are anticipated to complete, all requirements for a degree, as verified by the Registrar, and who have submitted a graduation application, may participate in the Commencement ceremony.
Students who completed degree requirements the preceding fall semester may participate in Commencement the following May. Fall graduates have their degree posted and their diploma mailed before the end of January, if they do not have financial obligations to the College.
Undergraduate and graduate students who complete degree requirements in the summer may participate in Commencement the preceding May, if they are within nine credits of completion and are enrolled in the nine credits during the summer. There are three program exceptions:
- Students in the BSN/MSN program must be within 16 credits and enrolled in the 16 credits in the summer to participate.
- Students in the MS Community Psychology program must be within six credits and enrolled in the six credits in the summer to participate.
- Students in the MSN programs listed below must be within six credits and enrolled in the six credits in the summer to participate:
- Advanced Acute Care Adult Gerontology
- Adult Dual Gerontology Primary & Acute Care
- Advanced Primary Care Adult Gerontology
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- BSN/MSN Nursing Dual and BSN/MSN Nursing Dual Arizona
- Neonatology Nurse Practitioner
Regalia includes:
- Undergraduate students: Cap, gown and tassel
- Graduate students: Cap, gown, tassel and hood
The link to order regalia will be provided in your Commencement Brightspace Module.
The cost of your regalia is covered by the $175 graduation fee. Extra items (stoles, souvenir tassels, announcements, etc.) can be purchased separately and are not included in the graduation
fee.
Cords representing membership in specific groups are coordinated through the program director or faculty advisor.
Cap/Mortarboard Decoration
Students can decorate mortarboards, but must adhere to a few guidelines:
- Decorations cannot go past the dimensions of the cap (in any direction)
- Decorations must be appropriate for the occasion
Details and forms to request tickets will be included in the Commencement Brightspace Module. Requested tickets will be available for pickup during Grad Finale on April 30, 2026.
Not enough tickets?
Guests who do not have tickets to Pitman Theatre can view the ceremony via livestream online or in the conference center of the Sister Joel Read Center. The conference center will display the livestream on large screens for viewing.
Graduates will have the opportunity to indicate which services are needed for themselves and/or guests while completing your Commencement Brightspace module.
If you have any questions about accommodations, please email graduation@alverno.edu.
Commencement Ceremony Questions
If you have any questions about the commencement ceremony, please email graduation@alverno.edu.
Commencement Week Events
Cultural Ceremonies
May 2, 2026
10 a.m. Latinas con Fuerza, Bucyrus Conference Center
10:30 a.m. Bestowing of the Kente, Commons
Cultural Harmony 11 a.m., Alum Hall
- Celebrate your cultural heritage and thank and honor those who have supported you along your college journey at one of Alverno's cultural ceremonies for graduating students: Bestowing of the Kente, Latinas con Fuerza and Cultural Harmony.
- All students are welcome to participate. If you wish to participate, please fill out the participation form and purchase a stole. Details will be available in the Commencement Brightspace Module.
- Family, friends and loved ones are welcome to attend. No ticket is necessary for this event, and a reception in the Rotunda will follow.
Grad Finale
April 30, 2026 | 4–6 p.m.
Commons Lobby
- Join us to celebrate at Grad Finale where you'll find everything you need before commencement.
Baccalaureate Mass
May 15, 2026 | 4 p.m.
Chapel of Mary Immaculate
- The Baccalaureate Mass is a time to give thanks and reflect on your academic experience at Alverno College and is an important spiritual component of our commencement activities.
- All students are welcome to attend.
Prepare Your Guests for Commencement Day
Your guests should know:
- All attendees to the ceremony in Pitman Theatre require a ticket. Those who do not have a ticket may watch the ceremony on campus via livestream in the conference center in the Sister Joel Read Center where it will be played on large screens. Those who are unable to attend can also watch the livestream online here.
- Doors to Pitman Theatre open one hour before the ceremony.
- Campus Safety will help direct guests to available parking.
- Please make sure to check Arrival and Parking frequently for campus access due to the ongoing construction around campus.
Stay in Touch!
As you know, we value the power of connection and community. When you graduate from Alverno, you become part of a network of over 18,000 Alverno Strong alums who are making an impact in their
communities and beyond. The Alum Engagement Office offers programs and opportunities to build your connections with other
alums, the College and others in the Alverno community.
Make sure to update your contact info so you can stay in-the-know about news and events at Alverno.
