Graduation Information

The NC State University Commencement is for all NC State Graduates. Students will be recognized by college, and only Doctoral candidates walk across the stage. The College Ceremony is only for students graduating from The College of Natural Resources. At the college ceremony, every graduating CNR student in attendance will have their name called and walk across the stage. The ceremonies are both on May 4th, the University ceremony is at 9:00am at PNC Arena, and the College of Natural Resources ceremony is at 5:00pm at Reynolds Coliseum. You must RSVP for each ceremony separately. (Visit https://commencement.ncsu.edu for information on the University-wide ceremony.)

Graduating from college and walking across the stage at your commencement ceremony are two different things, but they are intertwined. College graduation marks the completion of your degree requirements. The commencement celebrates those accomplishments and looks towards the future.

If you plan to finish in the summer, you may be eligible to participate in the CNR May commencement. The policy for allowing summer graduates to “walk” in the CNR spring commencement states that students must have no more than 12 hrs remaining to fulfill degree requirements, which they will complete during summer, and a current GPA of 2.0 or higher. If you meet these guidelines and wish to participate you will need to complete this form by March 20, 2024.

The undergraduate application is due by February 5, 2024, 11:59 pm 

The graduate application is due by March 20, 2024, 11:59 pm

You can apply in MyPack. For detailed instructions visit: https://studentservices.ncsu.edu/your-degree/graduation/apply-for-graduation/

Apply within MyPack. For detailed instructions visit: https://studentservices.ncsu.edu/your-resources/privacy/

A google form will be sent out in the weeks leading up to graduation requesting information needed from graduating students for ceremony preparation. Be sure to spell out your name and write out the pronunciation phonetically to ensure proper pronunciation as you walk across the stage.

Academic honors are based on your cumulative GPA. For commencement recognition purposes, your cumulative GPA at the beginning of your last semester will be used in publications and the ceremony. However, your diploma and official transcript will list the academic honor that you earn once your final grades are posted.

Summa Cum Laude: 3.75 and Higher (GOLD sash)

Magna Cum Laude:  3.5-3.749 (SILVER sash) 

Cum Laude:  3.25-3.499 (WHITE sash)

General public parking is in the Coliseum Deck at 201 Jensen Dr. There are a limited number of accessible parking spots available next to Reynolds Coliseum.  If you need to drop someone off at the North Entrance, you may use the turn around on Dunn Avenue and then park in the Coliseum Parking Deck, if Jeter Bay ADA parking is full. See the NC State Campus Parking Accessibility Map for details.

Reynolds Coliseum has accessible seating for those who use wheelchairs. Additional reserved seating will be available for those that cannot climb stairs. Unfortunately, these seats are limited and are on a first-come-first-serve basis. Guests who need accessible seating can enter Reynolds Coliseum through the front doors, or North Entrance, beginning at 4:15 pm. Once inside, go to the left and take the elevators to the second floor to reach the accessible seating area.

There will be nowhere to store personal belongings, so bring minimal necessities and if you’d like to, a sealed water bottle.

Bachelor’s degree candidates drape the tassel on the right side of the cap, and will ‘turn’ it at the conclusion of the University Commencement ceremony. Professional, Master’s, and Doctoral degree candidates drape the tassel on the left side of the cap.

For the Spring CNR ceremony in Reynolds, graduating students will enter the East Entrance of Reynolds by 4:00pm in full regalia. There will be department tables for check-in. FB and FER check-in is in the lobby area on the East side of the venue, and PRTM and CGA check-in is in the lobby area near the West side of the venue. There will be signs directing graduates to check-in tables on commencement day.

Graduating students will line-up by department, major, and then alphabetically, the same way the names will be listed in the program.

For the Spring CNR ceremony in Reynolds, guests will enter through the North Entrance, and follow signage to the guest seating. Doors will open between 4:15pm and 4:30pm (there is another college ceremony in the venue just before CNR, so doors will open after the previous ceremony’s guests have departed).

No

About an hour and a half to two hours is the anticipated ceremony time.