Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Commencement

Applying to Graduate and Participation in Commencement

  1. As a current senior, when was the deadline to register to graduate in Spring 2023?
    • The last day for current seniors to register to graduate for Spring 2023 graduation was January 13, 2023. By this deadline, students need to pay their fee to complete their processing to earn their degree. 
    • The dates were posted on the 2023 Spring Academic Calendar.
  2. As a current senior, if I missed registering to graduate in Spring 2023, can I participate in commencement? 
      • If you did not register for Spring 2023 graduation, you can apply for the Summer Session I or Summer Session II graduation. The application will open March 13, 2023 and close on May 12, 2023. North Carolina A&T State University does not have a summer commencement. Summer applicants will be eligible to participate in the Fall 2023 Commencement.   
  3. If I do not participate in the commencement ceremony, will I still graduate and receive my degree?
  • Yes. You will still graduate as long as you have registered with our Registrar’s Office to graduate by the requested deadline and have met all degree requirements successfully. The ceremony is a celebratory way to publicly recognize graduates, but participation is completely voluntary.
  1. Will masks need to be worn?
    • The University will continue to follow the CDC guidelines. More information will be available as we approach the commencement date.
  1. What time is the ceremony for the Spring 2023 graduates?
    • The Graduate College ceremony will be held on Friday, May 12, 2023 at 3 pm at the Greensboro Coliseum Novant Health Fieldhouse. Graduates are asked to arrive promptly by 2 p.m. to line up for the ceremony.
    • The Undergraduate ceremony 1 for the Colleges of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences; Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Business and Economics; and Education will be held at 8:30 a.m. at the Greensboro Coliseum. Graduates will be asked to arrive promptly by 7:30 a.m. to line up for the ceremony in West Wing A in the Special Events Center of the Greensboro Coliseum.
    • The Undergraduate ceremony 2 for the Colleges of Engineering; Health and Human Sciences; and Science and Technology will be held at 3 p.m. at the Greensboro Coliseum. Graduates will be asked to arrive promptly by 2 p.m. to line up for the ceremony in West Wing A in the Special Events Center of the Greensboro Coliseum.
  2.  How are seats being spaced?
    • There is open seating at the Greensboro Coliseum.
    • Tickets are required to attend the graduate ceremony on Friday, May 12, 2023. Graduate candidates will receive FOUR guest tickets that will be available at name card pickup. 
    • Tickets are not required to attend the undergraduate ceremonies on Saturday, May 13, 2023.
  1. How long will the ceremony last?
    • The commencement ceremony has been modified to be approximately two hours for the program, including recognition of each graduate.
  1. May we remain in the coliseum after commencement to take photos?
    • For safety reasons, we will ask graduates and guests to leave and exit the coliseum immediately following the ceremony. Please avoid gathering.
  2. How early can families arrive to the coliseum to line up to go inside?
    • Doors will open for the 3 p.m. Graduate College Commencement at 1:30 p.m.
    • Doors will open for the 8:30 a.m. Undergraduate Commencement at 7:00 a.m.
    • Doors will open for the 3 p.m. Undergraduate Commencement at 1:30 p.m.

For additional information, email CommencementQuestions@ncat.edu.