Graduate Commencement and Honor Societies
Overview
Commencement recognizes and celebrates graduate students' successful completion of their academic program. Although often used interchangeably, the words "Commencement" and "Graduation" are not the same thing. It is important to understand that participating in a commencement ceremony does not mean that you have completed your degree and officially graduated. Commencement is a formal ceremony for students who have been cleared to walk by their school or program; many students as well as families and friends look forward to the ceremony as a rite of passage bridging school and career.
Keynote speaker to be announced.
Participation
Criteria for Marching in Commencement
Master's Students
- Master's students who have completed all degree requirements by March of the current year, who have been conferred and are in good academic standing will automatically be invited to attend.
- Master's students who are expected to complete all degree requirements by the end of the winter II or summer semester (March – May or May- August) of the current year, have submitted their degree application and are in good academic standing are eligible to petition. Petitions will be accepted and considered when students enroll in their final course(s) and when the degree application has been received. The degree application can be accessed at https://www.nova.edu/sbin/dapp/degreeapp.pl.
- The Commencement Petition will be available in March.
Regalia
Approximately two months prior to commencement, all eligible candidates will receive an email invitation via their NSU SharkLink account to complete a Commencement Participation Form (CPF) and order a cap and gown (regalia) directly from the NSU Bookstore vendor Oak Hall Cap & Gown. Completing a CPF reserves a space in the appropriate commencement ceremony. Candidates should refer often to NSU's Commencement Web site for complete, updated, and additional information.
Proper academic regalia is required for all candidates who participate in any NSU Commencement Ceremony. NSU's approved regalia is blue in color for all baccalaureate candidates and gray for master's, specialists and doctoral candidates. All candidates are responsible for ordering their own caps and gowns directly from the NSU Bookstore vendor Oak Hall Cap & Gown via an online portal accessible through the official commencement invitation. Only regalia purchased through the bookstore or Shark Store are acceptable wear at NSU Commencement ceremonies. Candidates should refer often to NSU's Commencement web site for regalia details.
Regalia will be shipped directly to you. Master's/Specialist regalia cost $96.00 plus tax and shipping. Deadline to order regalia is TBA. After this deadline, academic regalia must be ordered and picked up directly from the NSU Shark Store on the main campus (contact the bookstore for pick-up dates and hours of operation).
Diploma
During the ceremony, students will be called and announced as candidates for graduation, and be awarded certificates of congratulations. Diplomas are not distributed at commencement. In order to receive the official diploma, graduating students must submit an Application for Degree to the Office of the University Registrar (Online). Diplomas will be mailed by that office to the graduating student's home address of record. Graduating students should verify their home address via Sharklink.
Honor Societies
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Beta Gamma Sigma
The Mission of the International Honor Society Beta Gamma Sigma is to encourage and honor academic achievement in the study of business, to cultivate and celebrate leadership and professional excellence, to advance the values of the Society, and to serve its lifelong members. Beta Gamma Sigma is The International Business Honor Society. Since 1913 we have recognized and honored top performing students from around the world in business schools accredited by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). We are also a proud member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS). Through our dedication to providing lifetime value for our members, we work to bring programs, connections, benefits, and opportunities to every individual in our organization. To be considered for initiation into Beta Gamma Delta, students must have all course work finished by the end of March with an overall GPA of 3.80, and be invited to commencement. M.P.A. students are not included. Eligible students will be emailed more information regarding membership by the second week of May. For questions regarding Beta Gamma Sigma, please send an email to betagammasigma@nova.edu. |
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Pi Alpha Alpha
Pi Alpha Alpha is the national honor society formed to recognize and promote excellence in the study and practice of public affairs and administration. The organization encourages and recognizes outstanding scholarship and accomplishment in public affairs and administration. Membership in Pi Alpha Alpha is by invitation of the faculty. Each year students are notified by email if they are invited to join Pi Alpha Alpha. To be eligible, M.P.A. students must have completed 30 credits in their program by the end of the Winter I term and maintain a GPA of 3.7. Those students invited to join may attend a special inductee ceremony typically held the week prior to commencement. Additional information may be found at the national website or by contacting the NSU chapter faculty advisor, Dr. Fred Forgey. |
Where
TBA
When
TBA
Guests
Guest information will be announced shortly.
Graduation announcements may be ordered online from the NSU Bookstore or by calling 1-800-509-BOOK. Announcements may also be ordered online through Herff Jones. Processing and delivery of announcements takes about 14 days. Personalized name cards require an additional 14 days.
Online Ordering
Commencement related items can be ordered online.
Graduating students who are residents of Miami-Dade and Broward County must present their participation form in person to the NSU Shark Store to obtain their regalia. The NSU Shark Store is located in the Don Taft University Center on the main campus. For store hours of operations or questions, call 954-262-4799.
Personalized Graduation Announcements and Class Rings
Diploma Frames
Lodging
Please visit NSU's list of area accommodations here.
FAQ
Please visit the FAQ for all NSU commencement activities here.