CCAPS Spring 2024 Commencement
- Date and Time: Saturday, May 4, 2024, 10:00 a.m.
The ceremony will run approximately 90 minutes. - Location: Northrop, Minneapolis East Bank Campus
CCAPS Commencement Student Information
Graduates have received an email from ccapscommence@umn.edu in early March 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.
If your guests would like to see you walk, please encourage them to be seated by 10 a.m.
Eligibility
Students in the following CCAPS Graduate Programs are eligible to participate in spring 2024 commencement if they will complete their program between fall 2023 and spring 2024 or intend to graduate by August 31, 2024:
- 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 2024 if they applied to be granted a degree in fall 2023, spring 2024, or summer 2024:
- Bachelor of Applied Science: Construction Management, Health Services Management, Information Technology Infrastructure, Manufacturing Operations Management
- 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, 2024, 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, 2024, 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 3.75–3.89 is required for graduation "with distinction." A cumulative GPA of 3.90–4.00 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 ccapscommence@umn.edu.
CCAPS Commencement Guest Information
Tickets
Tickets are not required for guests to be admitted into 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
Graduates will be asked to submit accommodation requests for themselves and their guests via their RSVP form. Please email ccapscommence@umn.edu with your questions.
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 Policies
Please do not bring backpacks, bags, helium balloons, confetti, or alcohol into Northrop. Check out Northrop’s website for more information about Northrop’s policies.
Vendors
Flowers are typically sold by a vendor located outside Northrop’s Church Street (east) side doors.
The commencement ceremony will be professionally video/photographed by GradImages. You can register at www.gradimages.com/registration 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 gradimages.com.
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 early March with a link to the CCAPS Commencement RSVP form. Please use this link to register for commencement.
Will my guests need tickets to be admitted into commencement?
No, CCAPS doesn’t use tickets to admit guests into commencement. Guests will simply be allowed into Northrop when they arrive and graduates can invite as many guests as they like. Graduating students are the only individuals that will need to RSVP for commencement.
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 '24, March 20 and 21, 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 ccapscommence@umn.edu.
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 ccapscommence@umn.edu 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 you arrive, follow the signage to the main lobby to check in.
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, south, or west side entrances. If you’re entering from the south side of the building (plaza), there is an ADA compliant elevator in the southeast corner.
Will I get to walk and hear my name called during commencement?
Yes, unlike last year’s campus-wide commencement event, graduating students will get to walk and hear their name called during the 2024 commencement.
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.
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 ccapscommence@umn.edu.
Celebrating CCAPS Scholarship Recipients
Join us in recognizing CCAPS scholarship recipients and our generous donors. We are proud of our ambitious students and thankful for those who make their pursuit of a degree possible.