August 21, 2021 2021 Summer Virtual Commencement

Communications are sent to the email address provided on the virtual commencement RSVP form. Graduates who register for virtual commencement will receive the following email communications: video clip instructions, deadline reminders, final details with instructions on how to view the virtual commencement, and a survey after commencement. If you have not received an email from us, contact commencement@wgu.edu.

Please contact us commencement@wgu.edu.

WGU’s virtual commencement is an opportunity to honor graduates who planned to participate in a scheduled commencement this year but was canceled due to COVID-19. Please note, participating in virtual commencement does not replace a graduate’s option to walk in an in-person commencement in the future.

The virtual commencement program consists of a keynote address, graduate speeches, and the conferral of degrees (reading of names). Graduates are invited to participate live or on their own time.

The link to watch virtual commencement is www.wgu.edu/virtual.

No. The virtual commencement will be posted at www.wgu.edu/virtual and be available for viewing also on WGU Facebook and YouTube for viewing at your leisure. 

Graduates who submit a video for this virtual commencement will be recognized. Each graduate’s name will be announced, while their name and degree will be displayed on screen. Graduates who do not submit a video will be recognized by having their name on a list following their degree.

When you RSVP for virtual commencement, please note this in the comments section, or email commencement@wgu.edu with this request before the RSVP deadline.

No, graduates and guests will be able to view commencement content (e.g. graduate speeches and conferral of degrees) by selecting master’s or bachelor’s ceremony.

No. The commencement will be organized by segments (e.g. welcome and opening remarks, anthem singer, graduate speeches, keynote speaker, reading of graduate names), allowing graduates to select which content they view. 

In order to participate in a commencement ceremony, a student must complete all degree program requirements before the scheduled ceremony.
Students who are enrolled in the final course(s) of their degree program may send an exception request to records@wgu.edu entitled, “Commencement Ceremony Participation Request” to walk early in a commencement ceremony. The Records Department will determine if the student is qualified to participate in a commencement ceremony prior to actual degree completion.

If the student is enrolled in the final courses of their degree program, the exception request will be approved.

If an exception request is approved, the student must also RSVP for the commencement ceremony.

Please review the commencement participation guidelines located in the student handbook, which outlines the eligibility for commencements. 

To RSVP to attend WGU Commencement Weekend, you must have submitted either:

1. Your graduation application

or

2. Received an approved Commencement Participation Exception from the WGU Records Office.

If you don’t currently meet this requirement, wait to RSVP until the requirement is met.

Review the Commencement Ceremony Participation guidelines.

If you have any questions, please contact via email at commencement@wgu.edu or by phone, 385.428.2085..

After a graduate submits the ceremony RSVP form, a confirmation email is sent to the email address listed on the completed RSVP form. Please check your junk box. If you do not see a confirmation email for your ceremony RSVP. Please contact us at commencement@wgu.edu with additional questions. 

Yes. There is not a time limit on when a graduate may walk in a commencement. However, graduates may only participate in one commencement ceremony per degree program completed.

https://www.wgu.edu/alumni/commencement.html

No, but you may watch the commencement ceremony for free on the WGU YouTube channel.

In order to participate in a commencement ceremony, you must RSVP as soon as possible and prior to the designated deadline.

For deadline information and to RSVP for the commencement ceremony of your choice, use one of the following links: 

• Click here to RSVP for Virtual Commencement
• Click here to RSVP for In-person Commencement

Graduates who RSVP for virtual commencement will receive instructions within two business days. If you have not received your video clip instructions, please contact commencement@wgu.edu

Yes, as long your new video clip is submitted by the submissions deadline. 

Due to production schedules, late videos will not be used in the virtual commencement. However, graduates who do not submit a video will still be recognized by having their name on a list following the conferral of degrees.

The Commencement team is happy to assist you with your video submission. Please email us at commencement@wgu.edu

For bachelor’s degree, post-baccalaureate teacher programs, or endorsement preparation program (English Language Learning), you should order: cap, bachelor's gown, and tassel. For those earning a master's degree or endorsement preparation program (Educational Leadership), you should order: cap, master's gown, tassel, and a master's hood.

Oak Hall Cap and Gown is the official regalia vendor (caps, gowns, and hoods) for WGU. The official regalia color for graduates is navy. 

Visit the WGU-Oak Hall Cap and Gown website to place your order, or call 1-800-456-7623 and ask for the Web Department. 

You can order a tassel at the WGU-Oak Hall Cap and Gown website, or by calling 1-800-456-7623 and ask for the Web Department.

Yes, WGU graduates affiliated with an honor society may wear society pins or honor cords/sashes on their gowns. Teacher graduates affiliated with the WGU chapter of the international honor society of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) may order honor cords at http://www.kdp.org.   

The following hoods are available for purchase at the WGU-Oak Hall Cap and Gown website:

Education - blue
Business (all MBAs) - drab
Information Technology - gold
Nursing – apricot
Integrated Healthcare Management - salmon
Master of Health Leadership - sage green

Prior to the conferral of degrees, bachelor's degree graduates wear the tassel on the right side while master's degree graduates wear their tassel on the left side for the entire commencement ceremony.

A graduate should wear academic attire appropriate to the awarded degree. The master's gown is different from a bachelor's gown. If you already have a cap and tassel, you can order a master's gown as an individual item on the WGU-Oak Hall Cap and Gown website. Please note that the academic attire for a master's graduate includes: cap, tassel, master's gown, and hood. 

WGU graduates who are veterans or active-duty military will be provided military honor cords. For virtual commencements, cords will be shipped to the address provided on their RSVP. For in-person commencements, cords will be picked up at graduate check-in. On your RSVP form, please mark that you are a veteran or on active duty.

Graduates who submit a video for the conferral of degrees for virtual commencement will receive a complimentary diploma cover after the ceremony.