Frequently Asked Questions (2024)

Both in the spring (May) and winter (December). Two ceremonies are held in one day during spring and winter commencement. Undergraduate degree candidates will participate in either the morning or afternoon ceremony based on their college or school.

No. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ample parking for both graduates and guests is available outside the and in the Tropicana Parking Garage. Accessible parking spaces are available in the parking lot and garage.

Guests, graduates, and faculty should arrive one hour before the ceremony begins.

Approximately two hours.

Dates and times of future commencement ceremonies will be posted on the commencement website as soon as soon as the events are finalized.

A campus map is available for guests unfamiliar with the layout of the university.

All commencement-related materials (invitations, announcements, caps, gowns, tassels, class rings, etc.) may be purchased from the UNLV Bookstore, which can be reached by phone at 702-736-3955.

Colleges and schools may sponsor their own receptions. Please contact the appropriate college or school.

It will be mailed to the student's MyUNLV Home Address (or Diploma Address if one has been provided) 10 weeks after the ceremony. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they have an accurate/appropriate address on file.

Undergraduate diplomas are 8.5” x 11”.

August and December graduates should participate in winter commencement. Summer graduates who wish to participate in the May commencement must have extenuating circ*mstances and must get permission from the Office of the Registrar by emailing graduation@unlv.edu.

Please view details about applying for graduation online, including deadlines to apply for each graduation date.

The graduation application process at UNLV involves staff reviewing student records to assess eligibility. After the student applies for graduation, the Office of the Registrar and Advising Centers verify course completion before allowing official graduation or will notify the student if additional requirements must be met to graduate. Applying for graduation does not guarantee degree conferral, and degree conferral will occur after final grades are received. Additionally, students are accountable for timely course completion. This procedure differs from signing up to participate in commencement. Students who apply to graduate will be sent an online commencement attendance form in the weeks leading up to each commencement ceremony.

Both in the spring (May) and winter (December). Candidates for doctoral, master’s, specialist, and artist diploma degrees, as well as graduate certificates, will participate in one ceremony during spring and winter commencement. The professional schools (Dental, Law, and Medicine) will hold separate commencement ceremonies.

No. Graduate degree candidates may only participate in commencement after completing all requirements leading to the degree.

Students must initiate the graduation application process at the beginning of the semester they intend to graduate. View more information about the Graduation Application and Instructions online.

Upon receipt of students’ graduation applications (available through their MyUNLV account), all appropriate graduation dues will be charged to the student account.

Degrees will be conferred at the end of the semester upon verification that all degree program requirements have been met. This includes, but is not limited to, the submission of the Advancement to Candidacy form for doctoral students; comprehensive and final examination results; plan of study; and the thesis or dissertation, if required. The Graduate College will notify students in writing of any degree requirements that still need to be completed.

It will be mailed to the student's MyUNLV Home Address (or Diploma Address if one has been provided) 10 weeks after the ceremony. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they have an accurate/appropriate address on file.

Master’s diplomas are 8.5” x 11”. Ph.D., Law, Medical, and Dental diplomas are 11” x 14”.

• If you apply for graduation but later change your anticipated graduation date, your application will automatically be moved to the next semester.
• If you fail to meet the necessary degree requirements in the semester you applied for, your application will also automatically be moved to the next semester.
• However, if you still don't meet the necessary degree requirements in the updated semester, you'll need to reapply for graduation in a new semester and pay another graduation fee.

If students do not meet the degree requirements to graduate, they are expected to do so by the end of the next semester or term. If degree requirements still need to be met in the following semester, they must complete a new graduation application and pay the appropriate fee to update their application. This fee will appear on their student account.

All commencement-related materials (invitations, announcements, caps, gowns, tassels, class rings, etc.) may be purchased from the UNLV Bookstore, which can be reached by phone at 702-736-3955.

Doctoral candidates must wear the scarlet and gray gown. They have the option to purchase academic or ceremonial regalia. Academic regalia must be ordered at least eight weeks prior to the ceremony. Please contact the UNLV Bookstore for more information.