National University Commencement 2025
Congratulations Graduates!
National University invites you, your family, and friends to celebrate your remarkable accomplishment Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Frontwave Arena, 3475 Hero Dr, Oceanside, CA 92056.
Please review the important information necessary for your special day. Questions should be directed to grad2[email protected]. It is our sincere desire to provide a memorable event that showcases your outstanding achievement.
Important Deadlines and Information for Graduates
| Eligibility To be eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony, students must have completed all program requirements or be within 3 classes of program completion 45 days before the day of the commencement ceremony. Doctoral students currently in their DIS sequence must successfully defend their dissertation by March 28, 2025 to attend the commencement ceremony. Dissertation Deadline (Doctoral): March 28, 2025 *Students who participated in Grad Walk 2024 are not eligible to participate in commencement. | Deadline Date: 04/04/2025 |
| Commencement Ceremony Registration A commencement ceremony registration must be completed on the Tassel website to participate and walk in the ceremony. Students must register with Tassel at least 45 days before the day of the commencement ceremony. A Tassel link will be emailed to eligible students in their NU student email or primary email address starting Monday, November 18, 2024. Eligibility will continue to be monitored, and additional invitations sent prior to deadline. Due to space limitations, the event will only be available to the first 1200 eligible students (per ceremony). Failure to register for the ceremony by the deadline will result in students being unable to participate in the commencement ceremony. If you did not receive an invitation to register and are eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony, please email us at: [email protected] | Deadline Date: 04/04/2025 |
| Legal Name Change Students’ legal names will be used on Commencement Day. To request a change to the name used in your Tassel registration for commencement, please email [email protected] | Deadline Date: 04/04/2025 |
| Regalia Caps & Gowns are required for all students. To order your regalia, click on the link below: Academic Regalia by Jostens (Cap & gown, diploma frames and announcements) https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1006793/National-University/Graduation-Caps-and-Gowns/col_greg_1006793/CATALOG_COLLEGE?subCatalog=true • Military students may elect to wear their dress uniform in lieu of regalia. | Deadline Date: 03/24/2025 |
| Tickets Tickets are required for all students and guests over the age of 2. • Students can reserve a maximum of 4 guest tickets. • Tickets may be ordered via Tassel website after successfully registering for the commencement ceremony. | Deadline Date: 04/04/2025 |
Ceremonies
Friday, May 16, 4:00 pm
College of Law and Public Service, School of Health Professions and JFK School of Psychology & Social Sciences
Saturday, May 17, 9:00 am
Sanford College of Education
Saturday, May 17, 3:00 pm
College of Business, Engineering, & Technology and School of Arts, Letters, & Sciences
* These are in alphabetical order, which does not reflect the order in which graduates will cross the stage.
Graduate Information
- Graduates will enter via the loading dock ramp on Village Commercial Drive near the intersection of Toyon Drive.
- Look for “Graduates Enter Here” sign.
- Tickets are required to enter Frontwave Arena
- You can provide a printed ticket or, the QR Code from your phone.
- Graduates will receive a card that lists their name as it will be announced and displayed during commencement. Do not lose your card.
- Celebrate your achievement by giving back! Donate to the NU Foundation and receive a teal Philanthropy Cord for commencement, honoring your support for future students. Make your gift here.
- Honors Cords can be picked up at the Grad Check-In area.
- Honors Cords are based on the following eligibility:
- Undergraduates with a GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Master’s students with a GPA of 3.85 or higher
- Honors Cords are based on the following eligibility:
- Once check-in is complete, Graduates will line up for the processional. Graduate seating on the arena floor is assigned by college and degree level.
- We recommend wearing comfortable shoes.
- Your official diploma will be mailed to you approximately six weeks from your conferral date. If you have not received your diploma within this timeframe, please contact [email protected].
Graduate Accommodation Requirements
If you are a graduate attending commencement and require accommodations, please email Student Accessibility Services ([email protected]) with your request. Please allow as much notice as possible (no later than April 4, 2025) – last minute requests cannot be guaranteed.
Guest Information
- Tickets are required for all guests over the age of two.
- Guests under the age of two, who do not sit on their own, do not require a ticket.
- Guests may enter Frontwave Arena from the Northeast Entrance (identified with a Pala Casino Premium Entrance Sign) (@ Hero Dr. near Village Commercial traffic circle), the Northwest Entrance on Hero Dr., and the West Entrance (ADA accessible, adjacent to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park Plaza
- You can provide a printed ticket or, the QR code from your phone.
- Strollers are not permitted inside Frontwave Arena.
- There are no assigned seats for guests, however, special seating can be arranged for those who need assistance. Please request assistance from a Frontwave Arena Guest Experience representative.
Planning for the Day
Frontwave Arena is a wonderful venue for our Commencement. It is also a large space which often requires walking, climbing stairs, and/or standing for long periods while graduates and guests find their seats and take part in the festivities. Please make sure to plan ahead for those in your party who may have mobility concerns. Some recommendations include:
- Arrive one hour prior to the ceremony start time.
- Bring your own mobility aids (wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc.).
Interpreting/Captioning Services
To make our commencement accessible to as many persons as possible, real-time captioning and American Sign Language interpreting will be provided via the video monitors for the duration of the event. If you require additional interpreting or other communication aids in navigating the Arena, please make sure to arrange individual services with your preferred provider. Also, consider reviewing the Frontwave Arena Accessibility Guide https://www.frontwavearena.com/plan-your-visit/accessibility prior to attendance.
Frontwave Arena Information
- Frontwave Arena has strict guidelines on what can be brought into the arena. Please review the Frontwave Arena Approved Bag Policy They will allow infant, and medical bags. For a full disclosure, please visit the following: https://www.frontwavearena.com/plan-your-visit/know-before-you-go.
- Balloons and noise makers are prohibited.
- No outside food & beverages. https://www.frontwavearena.com/plan-your-visit/know-before-you-go
- Frontwave Arena information can be found here: https://www.frontwavearena.com/plan-your-visit
- Click to view the Frontwave Arena Site Map
- All guests, graduates, staff, and volunteers are to park in LOT B – General Parking.
Academic Regalia & Vendor Information
You can opt to purchase regalia through another third-party vendor (ex. Amazon, Etsy). Reminder, caps, and gowns must be black. For a list of tassel and hood colors by school please click here.
- Academic Regalia by Jostens (Cap & gown, diploma frames and announcements)
- National University merchandise and flowers
- Official photos
Recommended Hotel Accommodations
Courtyard Marriott
3501 Seagate Way, Oceanside, CA 92056
Special Rate
- $199 per night for a king bed (Available for May 15, 16, or 17 only)
- Queen beds may be available at a higher rate, subject to availability
Reservation Options
Guests can book by:
Calling Marriott Reservations at 1-800-331-3131
Booking online: Click here to book your group rate for National University Graduation
Payment Details
- Guests are responsible for room charges, taxes, and incidental fees.
- No parking fee applies.
Doctoral Poster Session Information
You’re Invited!
Join us for the Doctoral Poster Session
Date: Friday, May 16, 2025
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Grand Ballroom, The Westin Carlsbad Resort and Spa, 5480 Grand Pacific Drive, Carlsbad, California
Be among the first to explore groundbreaking research as our newest graduates present their doctoral work in a public setting for the very first time. Your presence and support as students, family, faculty, and staff are invaluable to these emerging scholars.
Information on how to submit for the poster session will be sent to graduating doctoral students on March 1, 2025.
We look forward to seeing you there!
2025 COMMENCEMENT FAQ
The Event
Commencement is a one-time, celebratory, regional ceremony.
Conferral is the documented date when the university awards your degree.
A Graduation Application is not needed to participate in the Commencement Ceremony this year. However, students should still submit one if they are within 2 courses of completing degree requirements.
Friday May 16th and Saturday May 17th
Frontwave Arena
3475 Hero Dr, Oceanside, California 92056
- May 16th, 2025, 4:00 PM – Schools Included:
- College of Law & Public Service
- School of Health Professions
- JFK School of Psychology & Social Sciences
- May 17th, 2025, 9:00 AM CEREMONY – Schools Included:
- Sanford College of Education
- May 17th, 2025, 3:00PM CEREMONY – Schools Included:
- College of Business, Engineering & Technology
- School of Arts Letters & Sciences
Capacity will be limited to 1200 participants per ceremony.
Please see Ticketing Information for more information on limits.
Please direct students to arrive at the venue at least an hour and a half before their ceremony time begins, to ensure students are checked in and guests are seated on time.
Yes, Doctoral students will be hooded during the ceremony.
No. Students who wish to participate must be present at Frontwave Arena.
Yes, the link to view the live stream will be available on the commencement website two days prior to the event.
Not currently. The Graduation department will communicate with students about future commencement events.
The university does not provide hotel or transportation accommodations for the event. It is recommended that students search for lodging availability closest to the venue.
Eligibility & Registration
Wednesday, April 4th , 2025 by end of day.
- Graduates who were conferred June 2024 through February 2025 OR
- Be within 3 courses of degree completion, 45 days before the day of the commencement event.
- Doctoral students must have defended their dissertation by 04/04/2025.
- Doctoral students will not be sent an invitation to register until they have successfully defended their dissertation
- Doctoral students currently in their DIS sequence must successfully defend their dissertation by March 28, 2025 to attend the commencement ceremony.
Students who participated in the Grad Walk 2024 event are NOT eligible to participate.
Certificate programs/Credential-only programs are NOT eligible to participate.
A Graduation Application is not needed to participate in the Commencement Ceremony this year. However, students should still submit one if they are within 2 courses of completing degree requirements.
Eligible students will be sent a registration email from Tassel, which includes the registration link. Email is sent from [email protected]. Please be aware that email systems may filter the message into spam or junk folders.
Information will be sent to the primary email address on file.
Registration emails started going out to eligible students on November 18, 2024. The graduation team will continue to audit students’ files for eligibility and will continue to send registration invitations throughout the next few months.
Invitations will only be sent to those who meet the eligibility criteria at the time of review. For example, if you will be eligible after completing the March course, your invitation will be sent out after the course has ended and a grade has been posted.
If you have had your degree conferred or are within 2 courses of completion (all grades posted) and still haven’t received an invitation, please contact [email protected]
Regalia
March 24, 2025
NOTE: Jostens regalia orders after this date will NOT arrive in time for the ceremony!
- Caps and gowns MUST be black.
- NU Stole is not required. Students may choose to purchase their own creative stoles or wear their honor stoles.
- Students may decorate their cap if it is age-appropriate for the event.
- Graduate and Doctoral regalia includes a hood, colors vary by program.
- Eligible students will receive a military and/or honors cord.
- MILITARY STUDENTS: may wear their military uniforms in lieu of a cap and gown if they choose.
- Caps and gowns MUST be black.
- NU Stole is not required. Students may choose to purchase their own creative stoles or wear their honor stoles.
- Students may decorate their cap if it is age-appropriate for the event.
- Graduate and Doctoral regalia includes a hood, colors vary by program.
- Eligible students will receive a military and/or honors cord.
- MILITARY STUDENTS: may wear their military uniforms in lieu of a cap and gown if they choose.
Students will pick up their academic/military cord(s) at graduate check-in on the day of Commencement. Staff will have a list of eligible students.
Undergraduate (Associate/Bachelor) tassel colors by school:
- College of Law & Public Service (COLPS) – Science Gold
- JFK School of Psychology & Social Sciences (SOPSS) – Navy Blue
- Sanford College of Education (SCOE) – Light Blue
- School of Arts, Letters, & Sciences (SOALS) – Gold
- School of Health Professions (SOHP) – Salmon
- College of Business, Engineering, and Technology (COBET) (formerly School of Business & Economics and School of Technology & Engineering) *
- School of Business & Economics (SOBE) – Drab
- School of Technology & Engineering (SOTE) – Orange
Graduate student tassel colors:
- Masters – Black
- Doctorate – Old Gold
Graduate hood colors:
- Master’s hood colors vary for specific graduate programs.
No, students can opt to purchase their regalia through another vendor (ex. Amazon, Etsy). Reminder, caps and gowns must be black.
Jostens will have a booth at the Commencement Ceremony but will only carry a limited supply of Regalia. We highly recommend grads order their regalia by the March 24, 2025.
Ticketing Information
Friday April 4th, 2025
- Eligible students will receive a registration link to Tassel via email, to register for the event and reserve their tickets.
- Each student is allotted 4 guest tickets.
- Tickets are required for all guests over the age of 2.
Students who complete their registration will receive a unique ‘Grad Pass’, which is their “ticket” to enter the venue on the day of the event.
Graduates are limited to 4 guest tickets. Once Registration has closed, students can contact [email protected] to inquire if additional tickets are available.
“We know how important it is to share this special moment with loved ones. Unfortunately, due to the smaller venue size, we’ve had to limit ceremony size attendees and their guests.
Additional ticket requests will be reviewed once registration closes in April. While we can’t guarantee availability, we’ll do our best to accommodate as many requests as possible.
To ensure everyone can participate, the ceremonies will be live-streamed once the link is made available in May. We encourage you to share this link with friends and family who may not be able to attend in person.”
Once students have completed their registration and ordered their guest tickets, they can return to https://nu.tassel.com/login#/ to retrieve their tickets.
Legal Name Changes & Diplomas
- Class-based students should submit a Biographical Change eForm to the Records Department via their Student Portal to update their name change.
- 1:1 students must contact [email protected] for name changes.
Wednesday, April 4th, 2025
No. Diplomas are not given to students at the commencement ceremony.
Graduate & Guest Accessibility Accommodations
- Graduates who require accessibility assistance for the ceremony can do so at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/kbDsk8UKkZ, or they can contact [email protected]
- Requests should be made by 04/04/2025, last-minute requests cannot be guaranteed.
Please refer to the Frontwave Arena Accessibility Guide: https://www.frontwavearena.com/accessibility