Graduation Ceremony Policy

Graduating students have two opportunities to celebrate degree completion: University of Arizona (U of A) Commencement and College of Nursing (CON) Convocation.

University of Arizona Commencement

The U of A Commencement Ceremony is held annually in May to honor graduating students from all disciplines. Please note that individual graduates are not recognized during this event. The ceremony typically takes place in the evening and serves as a festive celebration of academic achievement. For additional details, visit the official Commencement website.

College of Nursing Convocation

The CON hosts a Convocation Ceremony three times per year (May, August, December). At this ceremony, graduating students are recognized by name with the bestowing of academic hoods and pins.

Hooding & Pinning of Graduates

Hooding and pinning are two honored traditions celebrated during the CON ceremony. As significant academic customs, only CON faculty may perform the hooding or pinning. However, with prior approval, graduating students may invite a guest to join in the tradition alongside faculty. Guest hooders/pinners must meet the following criteria:

• Be the graduating student’s parent, grandparent, sibling, child, or spouse; and
• Either:
  • Hold an academic degree at or above the student’s level in a health-related discipline; or
  • Be an active or reserve member of the U.S. military; or
  • Be a retired U.S. military member or a veteran of a recognized war or conflict.

Students wishing to invite a guest hooder or pinner must first obtain approval from their committee chair (if applicable) and program director. Once approved, the student must complete the Guest Hooder/Pinner Request Form at least six weeks before the convocation ceremony. The form requires a pdf of the guest’s CV. The convocation committee will review the request and notify the student of the decision four weeks before the ceremony. If approved, guest hooders and pinners must wear academic regalia or a military dress uniform.

Doctoral Candidates

Doctoral candidates are individually recognized by their committee chair during the CON Convocation Ceremony. If the chair is unable to attend, they must designate another committee member to hood the candidate and notify the Office of Student & Academic Affairs. The notification should include the name of the faculty member who will perform the hooding.

Graduate Certificate Students

Students earning a graduate certificate are individually recognized by college leadership during the ceremony.

Master’s Students

Master’s students will be hooded by program faculty selected by the graduating class. Each graduate will also be presented with a pin, which may be attached to the hood, symbolizing their entry into the nursing profession.

Bachelor’s Students

Bachelor’s students will be presented with a pin by program faculty selected by the graduating class. The pin symbolizes their entry into the nursing profession.

Graduation Regalia

All students must wear regalia for convocation and commencement. Regalia can be ordered through the Campus Store online or in person. Nursing students should select their degree program from the dropdown menu. Regalia should be ordered at least 3 weeks prior to the ceremony date.

Doctoral candidates may order custom regalia at a higher cost. Custom-orders require extra time for processing and alternations – interested candidates should contact the campus store no later than four months before the ceremony. Pricing is listed on the campus store website under Faculty Regalia.

Pin

A longstanding tradition for students entering the nursing profession is the presentation of a pin, symbolizing their connection to the college’s network of graduates. The original pin, designed in 1960, was crafted from copper and adapted from the university’s seventy-fifth anniversary seal. It features the “torch of truth” over a map of Arizona, with Tucson marked by a star and mountain ranges representing the region’s natural landscape. The dates on the pin commemorate the founding of the university in 1885 and the start of the nursing program in 1957.

Students wishing to obtain the official pin must purchase it through the Campus Store well in advance of graduation. Those who choose not to purchase the official pin will receive an alternative pin. Whichever pin the BSN student selects will be presented by faculty during the Convocation Ceremony. For MS-MEPN students, the chosen pin may be attached to their hood prior to the ceremony.

Convocation Participation Policy: Bachelor’s Students

Bachelor’s students are eligible to participate in the college’s Convocation Ceremony once all nursing coursework is complete. Please note: to be recognized as an honors student during the ceremony and in the program, students must include the final title of their Honors Thesis in the rsvp form.

Convocation Participation Policy: Master’s Students

Master’s students are eligible to participate in the college’s Convocation Ceremony once all degree requirements are met and all GradPath forms are submitted.

Convocation Participation Policy: Doctoral Candidates

Doctoral candidates are eligible to participate in the college’s Convocation Ceremony once all degree requirements are met and all GradPath forms are submitted. 

• DNP degree requirements include coursework, clinical hours, proposal defense, final oral defense, and the DNP portfolio.
• Ph.D. degree requirements include coursework, comprehensive exams, proposal defense, final oral defense, and the Ph.D. portfolio.

Doctoral candidates should contact their academic advisor at con-osaa@arizona.edu with questions regarding degree requirements or GradPath forms.

Exception Policy

Students who wish to participate in the ceremony but have not yet completed the above requirements must follow the instructions below.

• Doctoral Candidates must first discuss their request to participate in the upcoming ceremony with their committee chair. After receiving support, the candidate must submit the Exception Request: Doctoral form for approval.
• Master’s & Bachelor’s Students must first discuss their request to participate in the upcoming ceremony with their program director. After receiving support, the student must submit the Exception Request form for approval.

Once submitted, the form will be routed for review and possible approval. Approval is not guaranteed. Students will be notified of the decision within 10 business days. All decisions are final. Students must allow enough time to meet the RSVP deadline below.

RSVP Policy

All students who wish to participate in the Convocation Ceremony must submit the RSVP form by the posted deadline. Students who miss the deadline may not be guaranteed participation.

Students should reach out to the Office of Student & Academic Affairs (OSAA) with any questions or concerns.