Commencement

Each graduate will be able to request up to six (6) guest tickets. Doctoral students can request up to ten (10) tickets.  You are not automatically given tickets so please make sure to request them. Graduates will receive an email with a link to request tickets in October.

Graduates will be notified after November 18 if extra tickets are available.

Graduates do not require a ticket. Infants and small toddlers, two years old and younger, who will sit on laps do not need a ticket.

Tickets may be printed in advance or displayed on a mobile device. All ceremonies will be live streamed for those who do not have a ticket or who are unable to attend. 

Graduates should arrive 1 hour prior to the ceremony. Graduates whose ceremonies are in Hollinger Fieldhouse should report to Ehringer Gym. 

The procession begins fifteen (15) minutes prior to the ceremony’s start time. Please arrive to the ceremony wearing your cap and gown.

Yes, but please be tasteful. No obscene logos or writing will be tolerated on the caps.

The tassel is on the right as a graduate crosses the stage.

Master's students wear their hood before the ceremony. Ph.D. students are hooded by their faculty advisor and should drape the hood over their arm while marching.

For graduate accommodations please contact commencement@wcupa.edu. 

If there is inclement weather on Friday, December 13 the ceremony will be moved to Friday, December 14 at 6:00 p.m. If there is inclement weather on Saturday, December 14, all ceremonies will be Sunday, December 15.

We will be using a professional name reading system. When ordering tickets, please make sure that you record your name. A professional name reader will then prerecord your name using this recording. When checking in the day of the ceremony, you will receive a card with a QR code that you will scan as you walk across the stage. This QR code will signal for your name to be pronounced. There is no live reader.

Please plan on arriving to campus one hour prior to the ceremony to allow time for parking. The procession begins 15 minutes prior to the ceremony start time.

The ceremony will be about (60) sixty minutes.

Students do not line up in any specific order so it is impossible to say where they will be seated. All graduates will be called across the stage individually.

Professional photographers from Legacy Photography will be at the ceremony to take portraits of every graduate. Photos of the graduates crossing the stage, as well as individual portraits on a WCU background, will be available for purchase following the ceremony. There is no cost to have your photo taken and no obligation to purchase.

All ceremonies will be live streamed for those not able to attend in person. Please visit www.wcupa.edu/commencement on Commencement weekend for the link to the livestream.

Graduates whose ceremonies are in Hollinger Fieldhouse and their guests should park in the Sharpless Garage.

Sharpless Street Garage

25 Sharpless St.
West Chester, PA 19383

The overflow parking garage is the New Street Garage.

New Street Garage

704 South New St.
West Chester, PA 19383

View the campus map.

Parking

Graduates whose ceremonies are in Asplundh Concert Hall should park in M Lot.

M Lot Parking Structure

2817 S. High St.
West Chester, PA 19383

View the campus map.

Guests with a handicap parking placard can park in the Commons Garage, using the entrance off of Church Street.  If you do not have a handicap parking placard, guests can drop off anyone with mobility issues in front of Hollinger and circle around to park in the garage referenced above. 

View the campus map.

Golf Carts will also be available outside of the Commons and Sharpless garages for guests with accessibility issues/handicap parking placards.

Golf Carts are limited, we ask that you please remind your guests to be respectful of this accommodation so that we can assist all individuals with accessibility needs with minimal delay in service.

Please make sure to use the ground level entrance to Hollinger Fieldhouse where there is a special area for accessible seating, as well as floor seating for guests.

Please note One (1) family member will be allowed to accompany one person to the special seating area located in Hollinger Fieldhouse.  No exceptions will be made. You do not need to make special reservations for this seating.

If you need an interpreter at the ceremony, please email commencement@wcupa.edu.

Guests with a handicap parking placard can park in Lot B. If you do not have a handicap parking placard, guests can drop off anyone with mobility issues in front of Asplundh Concert Hall and circle around to park in M Lot.  Buses will also be available in M Lot for guests with accessibility issues/handicap parking placards. Bus service is limited, we ask that you please remind your guests to be respectful of this accommodation so that we can assist all individuals with accessibility needs with minimal delay in service.

View the campus map.

Please note One (1) family member will be allowed to accompany one person to the special seating area located in Asplundh Concert Hall. No exceptions will be made. You do not need to make special reservations for this seating.

If you need an interpreter at the ceremony, please email commencement@wcupa.edu.

Diplomas are generally mailed 6-8 weeks after Commencement.

Neither official transcripts nor diplomas will be mailed for students who have an outstanding balance at the University.

Your diploma will be mailed to the mailing address you have entered in MyWCU. 

Your degree title and major(s) will appear on your diploma. Your MINOR WILL NOT be included on your diploma.