GCU Commencement for Online and Cohort Students

Each commencement ceremony, where the degrees are presented to the graduates in attendance, will be live-streamed here at their corresponding date and time. After the ceremony, the video will be accessible on GCU’s YouTube channel: youtube.com/GCU

Questions regarding the commencement ceremony can be directed to [email protected].

Important Times

Graduate candidate check-in is from 3 – 4:30 pm

Doors open at 3 pm

Commencement ceremony times are from 5 pm to approximately 7 pm

Ceremony Reminders

• Your guest must have general admission tickets. We ask all ticketed guests to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony.

• Graduate candidates will check in and then be seated on the GCU Arena floor by degree program with the help of a commencement staff member.

• There is no ceremony rehearsal. We will have staff onsite the day of the ceremony to help you with any questions and lead you through your check-in process, getting dressed in your regalia and taking a seat on the arena floor to enjoy and partake in your commencement ceremony.

• If you have a fellow classmate joining in the ceremony, please make arrangements to meet up with them before you take your seat. There will be plenty of time to check in, meet with fellow classmates and dress in your regalia if you arrive when doors open.

• Wear comfortable shoes.

• Ceremony duration is approximately two hours.

• The first floor concession stand in the GCU Arena will be open. Sealed bottled water will be allowed; however, no outside food is allowed into GCU Arena unless medically necessary.

• When entering the arena, metal detectors/bag checks will be in use. The following items are prohibited for arena entry: weapons of any kind including, but not limited to, firearms, knives, pepper/OC spray, stun guns or brass knuckles, illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia, noisemakers, alcohol, glass bottles, balloons, flags or banners, wrapped packages or gifts, pets (service animals with proper identification are permitted), strollers, wagons or car seats.

Come to celebrate your great accomplishment! Congratulations!

Past Graduating Classes of 2020 and Spring 2021 Eligibility Requirement

• Graduates previously invited to a virtual ceremony in 2020 or spring 2021 due to restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic

Monday, Sept. 20, 2021
(Registration Closed)
5 pm Arizona Time
Eligible Graduate Candidates:
Doctoral, Master’s and Bachelor’s

Monday, Sept. 27, 2021
(Registration Closed)
5 pm Arizona Time
Eligible Graduate Candidates:
Master’s and Bachelor’s

Monday, Oct. 4, 2021
(Registration Closed)
5 pm Arizona Time
Eligible Graduate Candidates:
Master’s and Bachelor’s

Monday, Oct. 25, 2021
(Registration Closed)
5 pm Arizona Time
Eligible Graduate Candidates:
Doctoral, Master’s and Bachelor’s

Monday, Nov. 1, 2021
(Registration Closed)
5 pm Arizona Time
Eligible Graduate Candidates:
Master’s and Bachelor’s

Monday, Nov. 8, 2021
(Registration Closed)
5 pm Arizona Time
Eligible Graduate Candidates:
Master’s and Bachelor’s

Monday, Nov. 15, 2021
(Registration Closed)
5 pm Arizona Time
Eligible Graduate Candidates:
Master’s and Bachelor’s

Please refer to your ceremony registration for the most up-to-date ceremony availability.

Dates, times and modalities of commencement ceremonies may be subject to change.

Regalia

Regalia is required by all graduates participating in an in-person commencement ceremony. If you previously purchased regalia, please remember to bring all pieces with you.

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.

Regalia for Graduating Lopes

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 the waist.
• Bachelor's degree gowns have trimmings, a purple stole and pointed sleeves.

GCU Hood and Tassel Colors

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

Graduate candidates have the opportunity to order regalia for the virtual commencement celebration.

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

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

Educational Specialist

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

Master's - Front & Back

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

Bachelor's

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

Sept. 20, Sept. 27 and Oct. 4, 2021 Ceremonies

• Initial Deadline: Aug. 23, 11:59 pm (EST)
• Final Deadline: Aug. 29, 11:59 pm (EST)
• Nursing Pin Deadline (DNP, MSN and BSN Students): July 23, 11:59 pm (EST)

There will be a rush fee for any order that is placed after the initial deadline. 

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.

Oct. 25, Nov. 1, Nov. 8 and Nov. 15, 2021 Ceremonies

• Initial Deadline: Sept. 27, 11:59 pm (EST)
• Final Deadline: Oct. 3, 11:59 pm (EST)
• Nursing Pin Deadline (DNP, MSN and BSN Students): Aug. 27, 11:59 pm (EST)

There will be a rush fee for any order that is placed after the initial deadline.

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 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.

*Due to COVID-19, it is recommended you confirm your local printer is open for business before finalizing any orders.