Congratulations and God’s blessings to you as you finalize the plans to become a Concordia University Wisconsin graduate!

Congratulations, CUW Graduate! All of us at Concordia feel privileged and proud to be part of your life story, and we encourage you to take a moment to reflect and rejoice. You have done it, and what you have done is a big deal!

To celebrate the significant academic achievements of our graduates, each spring and fall we host commencement. At Concordia University Wisconsin, we celebrate commencement in May and December. While the ceremonies are not mandatory, candidates for graduation are encouraged to attend commencement.

Graduation checklist

Prospective Graduate & Undergraduate graduates, whether you plan to attend the ceremony or not, please review the steps below to properly prepare for graduation.

Step 1: Complete your evaluation and graduation application

Evaluation

  • Tradtional Undergraduate Students (Associate's and Bachelor's): Students must request a degree evaluation once registered for final courses. This is an essential step to acquiring your diploma.

  • Accelerated Undergraduate Students (Associate's and Bachelor's): Students can apply for graduation without evaluation.

  • Graduate Students (Master's and Doctoral): Students should work with their Program Director to verify that all graduation requirements have been met.

Graduation Application 

All prospective graduates who plan to graduate must complete the Graduation Application, regardless of their plans to participate in a commencement ceremony. Please note, the last day to complete the Graduation Application and to participate in the December Commencement Ceremony is October 1, 2023. Applications completed after the deadline will result in the graduate's name NOT appearing in the graduation program.

Graduation Applications are completed through Banner Self-Service. To access the Graduation Application through Banner Self Service, complete the following steps:

  • Log into the portal
  • Click the Student tab
  • Click Banner Self-Service
  • Click Student
  • Click Apply to Graduate

You can also access Banner Self-Service by clicking the link below (you will be required to log into the portal). Directions regarding how to complete the Graduation Application can be found here.

Graduation Application

Step 2: Update your contact information

Let’s keep in touch! We want to make sure you get the latest CUW news, opportunities, and events. Update your contact information to make sure you get valuable information about alumni gatherings, special alumni resources, continuing education opportunities, and the alumni e-newsletters.

Update Us!

Step 3: Order your cap and gown

Graduates eligible for commencement should purchase a cap and gown to participate in the commencement ceremony. Graduates can purchase a cap and gown through Jostens until  October 1, 2023. Once on the Jostens' website, be sure to specifically select "Graduation Caps & Gowns." 

All Rentals and Ship to School Orders:

  • Last day to order is October 1, 2023
  • Students may pick up their regalia from the Bookstore beginning on December 6, 2023
  • Students will be charged upon pick-up (pricing is below)

Homeship Orders:

  • Last day to order for the homeship option is October 1, 2023 (not available for doctoral students or rentals)
  • Students are charged once order is placed (pricing is below)

Questions regarding your cap and gown can be directed to the CUW Bookstore at 262-243-4349.

NOTE: Verify that you receive a confirmation email from Jostens once your order is placed.  

Standard graduation regalia packages include the cap, gown, stole, and graduation tassel. The university issues undergraduate honor cords for Summa, Magna, and Cum Laude distinctions. If you are a member of an honor society and believe you should receive cords for graduation, please contact the society advisor. 

Regalia Package Pricing:

Rental (cannot be purchased)
Doctoral $99.95
Master's (Physician Assistant) $85.00
Purchase
All Bachelor's $94.75
Master's (No Physician Assistant) $150.75
Miscellaneous
Bachelor's and Master's Caps  (doctoral comes with rental and cannot be purchased separately) $8.00
Stoles $44.75
Tassels $5.00 (graduation; to be worn at the ceremony)

$10.00 (commemorative)
Step 4: Request accessibility for your guests (if necessary)

Accessible guest seating is available for guests, as well as students. Please make reservations for your guest(s) in advance.

Step 5: Secure commencement tickets

Tickets are required for guests of graduates.

  • Each graduate can request up to a total of 8 guest tickets. 
  • Commencement tickets are free.
  • Children who occupy a seat will need a ticket.
  • Individuals without tickets will not be admitted to commencement.
  • PASSCODE: To get tickets for commencement, please use your student ID (F00 number) to unlock your tickets.
  • Students must register for tickets for their guests. Guests may not register for tickets for themselves. After registering for the event, please share the tickets with your guests. They will be required to show their ticket to enter the Field House on the day of your commencement ceremony.

    Please note that tickets are not transferable and cannot be shared with other students. Request only tickets you will use for you and your guests.

    For guests unable to attend, a livestream will be available on the CUW website on the day of commencement.

December 2023 Commencement Tickets

Step 6: Photography and ceremony check-in

Professional photography

Students will be photographed by Empire Photography throughout the ceremony, including their walk across stage. In addition to candid photos taken during the ceremony.

Commencement ceremony check-in

Students are expected to check-in at the Todd Wehr Auditorium one hour prior to commencement. Ceremony instructions will be shared multiple times throughout the staging time. Please listen to these instructions carefully. There is no graduation rehearsal.

Learn more about the graduation ceremony here.

Student speaker application

Consider applying to be the student speaker at your commencement ceremony.