UWest hosts Commencement each year on the last Saturday of the Spring term, celebrating our degree graduates during the academic year.

All graduating students are required to submit a Petition to Graduate when they register for their final term. You are asked to give us a preliminary idea of whether or not you plan to participate in Commencement by checking that box on the petition. When spring semester opens you reserve your space in Commencement by submitting a Commencement Confirmation. This confirmation form is used to place the student regalia order so if you wish to participate, do not forget to submit on or before the posted deadline.

Who is Eligible to Participate?

You are eligible to participate in Commencement if you graduated or are graduating with a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree during the academic year in which the ceremony is held.

If you are a graduate student, you must successfully complete any required comprehensive exam, thesis, capstone, or defense at least two weeks prior to the ceremony.

You may request approval to participate if you are scheduling your final courses in summer or fall immediately following the ceremony.

You are eligible if at the time of the ceremony you will have no more than the following requirements remaining:

• Bachelor’s degree students: 9 units
• Master’s degree students: 6 units
• You pass any required comprehensive exam, thesis, capstone, or defense at least two weeks prior to the ceremony (graduate students)

To request early participation, submit your Petition to Graduate to the Registrar’s Office no later than the first day of the spring semester, and submit a Commencement Confirmation form.

Commencement Ceremony 2024