CCAPS Spring 2026 Commencement
- Date and Time: Saturday, May 2, 2026, starting 10 a.m.
- Location: Northrop, Minneapolis East Bank Campus
- Program: Commencement Program
Couldn't attend in person? You can now watch the whole ceremony!
For questions and more information about attending Commencement, please email [email protected].
CCAPS Commencement Student Information
Graduates will receive an email from [email protected] with an invitation and link to RSVP for commencement. Please be aware that this is separate from applying to graduate. Check out One Stop’s Graduation Steps for more information about applying to graduate.
Eligibility
Students in the following CCAPS Graduate Programs are eligible to participate in spring 2026 commencement if they will complete their program between fall 2025 and spring 2026 or intend to graduate by August 31, 2026:
- Master of Biological Sciences
- Master of Professional Studies in Addictions Counseling
- Master of Professional Studies in Arts and Cultural Leadership
- Master of Professional Studies in Civic Engagement
- Master of Professional Studies in Horticulture
- Master of Professional Studies in Integrated Behavioral Health
- Master of Professional Studies in Applied Sciences Leadership
- Master of Professional Studies in Sexual Health
Students in the following CCAPS Undergraduate Programs are eligible to participate in commencement 2026 if they are graduating in fall 2025, spring 2026, or summer 2026:
- Bachelor of Applied Science (BS)
- Construction Management
- Healthcare Management
- Information Technology Infrastructure
- Health and Wellbeing Sciences (BS)
- Inter-College Program (BA, BS)
- Multidisciplinary Studies (BA, BS)
Reminders for Graduates
Graduate Students
Graduation Clearance Process
Graduate students who intend to graduate by August 31, 2026, must be cleared by their programs. Contact your program office if you need assistance with degree completion forms.
Graduation Notification
If you plan to complete your program by August 31, 2026, and wish to participate in the ceremony, please notify your program as soon as possible.
Cap and Gown
You can order your cap, gown, and tassel through the University of Minnesota Bookstores.
Masters Hood Colors
- Addictions Counseling, Integrated Behavioral Health, Sexual Health: Light Blue
- Arts and Cultural Leadership, Civic Engagement: White
- Applied Sciences Leadership, Horticulture, Biological Sciences: Gold
Undergraduate Students
Graduation Review and Preparation
- Review your APAS report and schedule a graduation review advising appointment if needed.
- Review the Undergraduate Student Graduation Checklist.
Graduation Clearance Process
At the end of the semester in which you have applied to graduate, your file is reviewed for all requirements. If all requirements are successfully completed, CCAPS staff will "clear" you to graduate. The Office of the Registrar will then post the degree to your transcript. If any requirements are missing, your graduation is postponed and you will be notified by CCAPS of the missing requirements.
Graduation with Distinction
To graduate with distinction, students must have completed 60 or more semester credits at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.750–3.890 is required for graduation "with distinction." A cumulative GPA of 3.900–4.000 is required for graduation "with high distinction." This award is based solely on a student's cumulative GPA, and no application is required.
Graduation with Latin Honors
Students must be enrolled in and complete the University Honors Program to graduate with Latin Honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude). Students may obtain a degree with both Latin Honors and “with distinction.”
Cap and Gown
You can order your cap, gown, and tassel through the University of Minnesota Bookstores.
Questions?
Please contact your program advisor or [email protected].
CCAPS Commencement Guest Information
Tickets
Tickets will be required for all guests, regardless of age, for entrance into Northrop and attending the commencement ceremony. Graduates can request up to six (6) tickets for their guests when completing their RSVP for commencement. Please note: We are unable to accommodate additional ticket requests due to venue capacity. Those tickets will be emailed to graduates in April to distribute among their guests. Note that graduates do not require tickets.
All tickets are general admission and, except for seating reserved for accommodations, seating is first come, first served.
Reentry
Guests may not reenter the building once they leave. The doors will be locked at all times, including for those stepping out to take photos after the ceremony.
Recommended Parking
For more information about parking on the east bank campus, check out Parking & Transportation Services’ Parking Facilities General Information.
Accessibility & Accommodations
Wheelchair-accessible and other accommodative seating can be reserved prior to the ceremony. To request any accommodations, including reserved accommodative seating, please email [email protected].
Individuals requiring an ADA accessible entrance into Northrop should use the Church Street (east side) entrance. Check out Northrop’s Accessibility page for more information about accessibility at commencement.
Northrop Venue Policies
Please note that Northrop enforces a clear bag policy: backpacks and opaque large bags are prohibited. To maintain a celebratory environment for everyone, please do not bring helium balloons, confetti, noisemakers, airhorns, signs and banners, or alcohol.
Check out Northrop’s website for more information about Northrop’s policies.
Arrival for Public Attendees
The Ground East entrance of Northrop and the security screening process will open at 8:30 a.m, Theater doors will open for seating between 9:00–9:15 a.m.
Public entry will only be permitted through the Ground East entrance near Church Street; all other entry points will be locked or unavailable to public guests. Guests will need to show a digital or physical ticket to security prior to screening to gain access.
Security screening will include a bag check and walk-through magnetometers. The University bag policy will be in effect, meaning only clear bags and small purses will be allowed. Northrop will follow its prohibited item policy. Upon entering Northrop, tickets will be scanned by Northrop ushers.
Once tickets are scanned, no reentry will be allowed. The public entrance on Ground East will close 30 minutes after, at 10:30 a.m, to the commencement's scheduled start time.
Vendors
Commencement flowers will be sold in the Level One lobby inside Northrup.
The commencement ceremony will be professionally video/photographed by GradImages. You can register at the GradImages website prior to the ceremony to share your photos with loved ones and to receive a coupon code for 20% off an order of $50 or more. You will receive an email from GradImages when your photos are ready to view and order, or you can check the GradImages website.
Please see FAQ for more information.
CCAPS Commencement FAQ
Planning for Commencement
What do I have to do to attend Commencement?
You will receive an email from CCAPS in with a link to the CCAPS Commencement RSVP form. Please use this link to register for commencement.
Will my guests need tickets to attend the commencement ceremony?
Yes, tickets will be required for all guests, regardless of age, attending commencement. Graduates can request up to six tickets for their guests when completing their RSVP for commencement. Those tickets will be emailed to graduates in April to distribute among their guests. Note that graduates do not require tickets.
All tickets are general admission and, except for seating reserved for accommodations, seating is first come, first served. Please plan to be seated by 10:00 a.m.
How do I purchase my cap and gown?
A cap and gown for commencement can be purchased through the University Bookstore, located in Coffman Memorial Union and the Saint Paul Student Center, or online. Purchase your cap and gown during GradFest '26 for discounted prices.
How will I receive my honor cords for academic distinction?
Your honor cords will be given to you when you check-in for Commencement.
One of my guests will require accommodations to fully participate in commencement. Where can I submit that request?
You can provide this information on your RSVP form, or email [email protected].
I’m an international student and will be inviting guests from abroad to commencement? What do I need to do to invite my guests from abroad?
Your family members may require a letter of invitation to commencement to apply for their visa. If this is the case, please email [email protected] with this request, your full legal name, your program, the full legal names of the family member(s) you’re inviting, their relationship to you, and your student ID number.
Please see the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) website for more information about inviting guests from abroad to commencement.
Will there be a photographer at commencement?
The CCAPS Commencement ceremony will be professionally videoed/photographed by GradImages. Students will receive an email from GradImages with the link to purchase photos.
Day of Commencement
Where should I park?
Church Street Garage
80 Church St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Disability spaces: 5
EV Charging Station: Ground floor
Fourth Street Parking Ramp
1625 4th St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Disability spaces: 9
EV Charging Station: Ground floor
Washington Avenue Parking Ramp
501 Washington Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455
Disability spaces: 32
EV Charging Station: Level Two
How do I check in when I arrive at Northrop?
When graduates arrive, they should enter through the Ground West entrance on Pleasant Street. Look for check-in lines divided alphabetically.
Will there be a space where I can store my belongings during commencement?
No, graduates will not have a space in which they can store their belongings. Please leave your belongings with your guests.
Which entrance should I use if I need an ADA accessible entrance?
Individuals requiring an ADA accessible entrance into Northrop should use the east entrance.
By what time should my guests arrive if they want to see me walk?
Guests that would like to be in attendance for the commencement ceremony will need to be seated by 10:00 a.m.
Can balloons be brought into Northrop?
No, Northrop does not permit guests to bring in helium balloons. The University bag policy will be in effect, meaning only clear bags and small purses will be allowed. Northrop will follow its prohibited item policy.
After Commencement
How will I receive my diploma?
Your diploma will be mailed to you 6–8 weeks following the commencement ceremony. To ensure your diploma is mailed to the right address, check and/or update your diploma address in MyInfo in your MyU account.
I’d like to purchase photos of the commencement ceremony. How can I do that?
Photos of commencement will be available for purchase through GradImages. Following commencement, graduates will receive an email from GradImages with instructions on how to purchase their commencement photos.
Further Questions?
For other questions and more information, please contact [email protected].