Frequently Asked Questions
(Please also visit the 2008 Commencement general information page)
How long does the ceremony last?
Each ceremony averages two hours.
Do my guests need tickets?
Tickets are not necessary for your guests. The ceremony facility ( Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise , Florida ) can accommodate several thousand guests.
I already own regalia from my workplace/previous ceremony/purchased online from another source. Do I still have to send in the Commencement Participation Form and fee?
Yes, as stated above, the fee is a participation fee and payment for the cost of the standard regalia (cap and gown). Submission of the CPF reserves your place in the ceremony. There are subtle differences in the regalia for different degrees. Regalia purchased from another source is not the appropriate regalia for NSU. When you return the CPF to NSU's Office of the Registrar, your name is added to the commencement database. The database serves to note your intention to participate in the ceremony, and assures that you will be sent the second (final) packet.
How do I obtain my cap and gown (regalia)?
The Commencement Participation Form (CPF) is a two-part form available only in the packet of information mailed to eligible graduates prior to the ceremony date. This form must be completed and both parts returned to the University Registrar's Office along with the appropriate fee in the envelope provided. The receipt of the form by NSU serves to reserve your place in the ceremony and to order the standard regalia (cap and gown) from the NSU Bookstore. Faxed forms cannot be accepted. The cap and gown are yours to keep.
Where do I obtain an Application for Degree/Diploma Form?
An Application for Degree/Diploma can be obtained online. To access the Online Application for Degree/Diploma, you must first read these important instructions.
When should I complete an Application for Degree/Diploma?
The application should be completed and submitted with the appropriate fee no later than the last term in which your program will be completed. The application can be submitted early and kept on file in order to expedite the process once your program requirements have been met.
Is there a rehearsal prior to the ceremony?
No. Students should arrive at the ceremony one hour prior to the start time of the ceremony for instruction and appropriate placement in the processional.
I completed and paid for my Application for Degree/Diploma. When will my degree be conferred and reflect on my official transcript of record?
All program requirements must be complete, all grades must be officially posted on your academic transcript, including transfer of credit/s and all obligations (tuition and fees paid, library books returned, equipment returned, bookstore obligations met, etc.) have been satisfied. The Application for Degree/Diploma is then approved by your program office and submitted to the Office of the Registrar for conferral of the degree. The date on which all academic requirements were met appears on the transcript; however, NSU uses the last day of the month in which all requirements were met as the official degree conferral date. The degree conferral date is the date that appears on the diploma.
What if I owe the University money?
The Office of the Registrar will confer your degree, however, all transcripts and the diploma will be held until all monies owed have been paid.
When will I receive my diploma?
You will receive a letter notifying you when to expect receipt of the diploma. Diplomas are mailed priority mail for delivery within three to four business days. This does not account for holidays or international mailings.