For Ceremony Questions Contact: Dean of Students Office | 414.382.6118 | deanofstudents@alverno.edu | FO 119
For Diploma or Graduation Requirement Questions Contact: Registrar's Office | 414.382.6370 | registrar@alverno.edu | FO 144
Related Forms, Procedures and References: https://www.alverno.edu/Commencement
A link for the application for graduation will be emailed to you in the beginning of your final semester. The Registrar's Office reviews your file and will complete a graduation audit. These audits are selected according to the graduation date listed in Self-Service on your student information page. Students are responsible for updating their graduation date. It is NOT updated automatically. This review shows where you are in terms of meeting your requirements. Requirements include: Courses and college transcripts. All graduates should confirm their status regarding the closure of financial obligations. Bills must be paid in full in order to receive one’s diploma and transcript. Our policy states that all graduates must meet with a Student Accounts/Financial Aid representative and submit a plan for payment of tuition and outstanding fees.
Alverno College believes in the value of participation in the commencement ceremony and of students sharing in the event with their colleagues. Graduates participate in commencement after all requirements are completed satisfactorily. For August graduates, diplomas are available the week following the August graduation date pending satisfaction of all financial obligations and completion of coursework. August graduates march in the December Commencement following their graduation date. The name of the graduate appears on the commencement program with a footnote indicating the official graduation date. If for some reason, a graduate decides not to participate in the commencement ceremony, contact the Office of the Registrar.
While the College participation policy requires the satisfactory completion of all requirements, an exception is made for MBA students in recognition of the cohort nature of these programs. MBA students who have completed all requirements except their electives may request permission to participate in commencement by submitting a general permit to the Registrar’s Office. In addition, Doctorate of Education Students in the Superintendency track may participate in commencement before completing their licensure requirements, but following the successful completion of their dissertation and the requirements of the EdD track in K-12 leadership.
The Division of Student Development and Success coordinates events related to Alverno College’s Commencement. In addition to the commencement ceremonies, Alverno College coordinates cultural celebration ceremonies (Latinas con Fuerza, Bestowing of the Kente, and Asian Rights of Passage), which is open to both graduate and undergraduate students. Some undergraduate and graduate programs also hold program specific events coordinated by their departments such as the EdD residency and the nursing pinning ceremony for BSN and DEMSN students. These related events are not required for graduates to attend, but are highly encouraged.
Accommodations for Guests and Graduates
Special seating accommodations, English-to-Spanish interpretation services, and American Sign Language interpretation services are provided during Commencement in Pitman Theatre. Graduates will have an opportunity to indicate what services are needed via a Commencement Participation Form. Disability-related accommodations are available for graduates and/or their guests through the Instructional Services Department. Requests are typically scheduled two months prior to the graduation ceremony. In order to successfully meet your needs and ensure that appropriate accommodations are made, please contact the Dean of Students office at 414-382-6118.