SPS Convocation 2024

SPS Convocation 2025

In-Person Convocation

The in-person SPS Convocation ceremony will take place Saturday, June 14, 2025, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. CT, inside the Ryan Fieldhouse (2333 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208) on the Northwestern campus in Evanston. For those that cannot or choose not to travel, this event will be available to live-stream for remote viewing. 

Ticketing and regalia are required for this in-person event. 

Virtual Convocation

The SPS Virtual Convocation will go live on the evening of Saturday, June 14, 2025. The Virtual Convocation is a rich experience designed for all students. Each graduate will have the opportunity to personalize their graduation page. The site will feature an address from the Dean of SPS, Convocation speakers, in addition to personalized content to commemorate your achievement. This is a wonderful opportunity for families and friends to celebrate with you, no matter the distance. Students will receive messaging regarding the virtual event in early 2025.

Ticketing and regalia are not required for the virtual event.

Northwestern University-wide Commencement

Northwestern recognizes the entire graduating class from across all Northwestern schools at the University-wide Commencement. The 167th Annual University-wide Commencement will take place in-person on Sunday, June 15, 2025, 10:30 a.m. CT at the United Center (1901 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60612) in downtown Chicago. The home of the NBA’s Chicago Bulls and NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks, the United Center served as the venue for the Class of 2024’s Commencement last June, and will again this year as work continues to rebuild Ryan Field, which historically has been the University’s Commencement venue.

A livestream of the event will be available at the Commencement home page.

Ticketing and regalia are required for this in-person event.

The University-wide Commencement website remains the key source of information for the graduation weekend schedule, family and guest content, accessibility information and other frequently asked questions.

Ticketing

The Graduation Weekend ticketing portal will open on Thursday, February 27. At that time, all graduates will receive an email with detailed instructions on how to order tickets for both the University-wide Commencement and the SPS Convocation. Please note: only students are able to order tickets and they will be responsible for transferring them to their guests. Self-ordering will end on April 29. After that, waitlist requests will open. Waitlist requests are not guaranteed.

  • You are invited to 2 ceremonies: the all-University Commencement ceremony and the SPS Convocation. The SPS convocation is where you will cross the stage and hear your name read; no one crosses the stage at Commencement. You need separate tickets for these ceremonies since they are two separate events.
  • Graduates do not need a ticket for themselves for Commencement or for the SPS Convocation. Only the guests of graduates need tickets (children under 3 who will sit on a caregiver’s lap do not need a ticket). 
  • All seats to all ceremonies are General Admission.
  • For ceremonies ticketing in rounds, you are guaranteed the allotted number of tickets outlined on the ticketing website if you order within the time that round is open. For example, if you log in and order ANYTIME between February 27 and April 1, you are guaranteed up to 4 tickets to Commencement. You DO NOT need to be first in line and order your tickets on February 27. In fact, the first day of ordering is likely to have high traffic that can create queues and slow website performance. You may have a faster online experience if you want until later in the evening or the days following. Remember, you have the entire window from February 27 - April 1 to secure your Commencement tickets.
Table with ticket deadlines and details
Ceremony Ticketing dates Tickets per student
SPS Convocation Feb 27 - May 30 Up to 8
University-wide Commencement

Round 1: Feb 27-Apr 1

Round 2: Apr 2 - Apr 28

Waitlist: Apr 29 - May 30

Up to 4

Up to 2 more

Availability only - 2 max

Visit the ticketing page of the Commencement website for guidelines and further details.

Regalia

Graduation attire, also called regalia, is required for the in-person Convocation and Commencement. Ordering for regalia (graduation attire) will open Thursday, February 27. You will receive an email with ordering instructions.

Ordering Options for Bachelor's and Master's Candidates:

  1. Pick up in bookstore. Orders placed before April 8 can be picked up in the bookstore at Grad Fair on April 16-17. Orders placed between April 18-May 16 may be picked up in bookstore on or after June 2. No shipping fees are applied with this option. 
  2. Ship to home. Order online between February 27-May 16 to ship your regalia to a residence. Shipping fees will apply. 

Visit the regalia page of the Commencement website for guidelines and further details about your Northwestern regalia. You can also find the link to order your regalia on this page, when it becomes available. For questions regarding regalia, contact the Graduation Office at graduation@northwestern.edu.

Terms and Events

Convocation is a separate ceremony where students are recognized by their individual Northwestern school. During the ceremony, student, faculty, and keynote speakers will address graduates and their families, and each graduate will be given recognition.

Commencement is the all Northwestern University-wide ceremony where the graduating class is commemorated as a whole. During the ceremony, student, faculty, and guest speakers will address graduates and their families.

Frequently Asked Questions

View FAQ's

When is the Northwestern School of Professional Studies in-person Convocation?
The Northwestern School of Professional Studies in-person Convocation will be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. CT.

When is the Northwestern University Commencement Ceremony?
University-wide Commencement will be held on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. CT.

When is the Northwestern School of Professional Studies virtual Convocation?
The virtual convocation site will go live on the evening of Saturday, June 14, 2025.

Are Commencement and Convocation the same event?
No, Commencement is a university-wide ceremony for all graduates of Northwestern University and Convocation is a ceremony held by each individual school of Northwestern University.

Can I attend both Commencement and Convocation?
Yes, graduates may participate in either or both events.

Will graduates be acknowledged during Convocation?
Yes, graduates will have their names announced as they walk across the stage at the in-person convocation.

Who is eligible to participate in Convocation (in-person and virtual) and Commencement?
Undergraduate and graduate students who complete their degree in the Summer 2024, Fall 2024, Winter 2025, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025 quarters may participate.

Can I participate if I graduated last year and was not able to attend?
Yes, and students should reach out to spsconvocation@northwestern.edu to inquire about being added to the graduation list.

Will I be acknowledged during the virtual ceremony?
Personalized content will be created for each graduate. Students will receive communication and an invitation to personalize your graduate slide.

Can I share my graduate slide on social media?
Yes. You will receive a complimentary graduate slide that you can download and share on social media. Graduates can submit a photo and personal note.

Will graduates be seated by academic program?
Yes, graduates will be seated by academic program.

Will guests be seated together?
Tickets are general admission, so seating is on a first come first served basis.

How many tickets will be available for the in-person Convocation?
Each graduate can order up to 8 tickets for the in-person convocation. If you need more than 8 tickets, please utilize the waitlist function on or after April 29.

Can another student who has extra tickets give them to me?
Yes, if you have ordered your allotment, another student can share extra tickets with you and your guests. Alternately, if you have tickets you no longer need, you can also release them through the ticketing site.

Do children need a ticket?
Children that are three and under who will sit in a caregiver’s lap do not need tickets; everyone else needs a ticket.

If I need special seating arrangements due to a disability or health issues. What should I do?
If accommodation is required, please indicate this when ordering tickets for either ceremony.

I am completing my program this year, but do not have access to order tickets. What should I do?
If you plan to participate in the SPS Convocation and/or the University-wide Commencement, you must submit your program completion form. Find "Application for Degree" on the Forms and Documents page. You will gain access to order tickets when ticketing becomes available.

Should I order regalia for the virtual convocation?
Regalia is not necessary to participate in the virtual convocation. If you would like to order regalia for your own photographs, please visit the regalia site.

Is regalia required at the in-person ceremony?
Regalia is required if a graduate chooses to attend the in-person Convocation and/or the University-wide Commencement.

Can someone else pick up my regalia for me at the Norris Center?
Yes, they can. The student would need to forward the pickup confirmation email to that person, and that person would need to have that available when picking up.

Can I walk in convocation if I haven’t finished my degree program?
The June graduation ceremonies celebrate the students who have completed their degree program since last June (in the summer, fall, winter, and spring quarters of this past academic year). Students who plan to complete their degree this summer can attend Convocation and walk across the stage, once your academic adviser confirms that you are on track to graduate and enrolled in the necessary courses to complete your program this summer. If you would like to attend Convocation but are not going to graduate until the upcoming summer term, please contact your academic adviser to confirm your eligibility.

How will I receive my diploma?
Participation at Convocation is not required to receive your diploma. Diplomas are mailed to the graduate at the address they list on the Graduation Application form after the quarter they graduate.

How will I receive my ASL honor cord, veteran cord, or student leader stole?
These items will be available at Convocation for those who are eligible.

I plan to participate in Convocation or Commencement, but my NetId is expired. What should I do?
Please contact us at spsconvocation@northwestern.edu for assistance.

I plan to participate in Convocation or Commencement and need a letter of participation for my visa. What should I do?
Please contact us at spsconvocation@northwestern.edu for assistance.

Questions?

Questions regarding the School of Professional Studies Convocation can be directed to spsconvocation@northwestern.edu.

Questions regarding Northwestern University Commencement can be directed to the Office of Graduation and Senior Year Experiences - graduation@northwestern.edu.

 

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