Graduation & Commencement

Degree candidates who are planning to participate and did not RSVP prior April 1, 2025, must contact the Registrar’s Office to RSVP.

RSVPs will open in January 2025.

• GRADUATION LUNCHEON – Friday, May 2 •
  University Library
  
• NURSING & COUNSELING PINNING CEREMONY – TBD
  
  
• EAGLE FEATHER CEREMONY – TBD.
  Scholars Circle
  • Qualifying students should download the Proof of Descendancy Form and return to the Registrar’s Office by April 1, 2025.
    
• STUDENT COMMENCEMENT REHEARSAL – Friday, May 2 • 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  McLaughlin Center Gymnasium
  
• BACCALAUREATE MASS – Friday, May 2 • 4:00 p.m.
  
  
• SENIOR DINNER – Friday, May 2 • 5:30 p.m. (immediately following Baccalaureate Mass)
  University Center Conference Rooms | RSVP Required
  
• COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY – Saturday, May 3 • 10:00 a.m.
  McLaughlin Center Gymnasium
  • All participants in the commencement ceremony may begin check-in at 8:15am. Participating faculty, students, and stage party should arrive by 8:30 a.m. to participate in the class photo at 8:45 a.m. Event will be live-streamed for remote viewing and link will be posted on the Commencement page of the UP website on the day of the ceremony.

All events listed above are tentatively scheduled. Finalized dates and times will be updated in early 2025.

All degree candidates are required to wear specific regalia for commencement. Orders can be placed through Balfour, online.  Regalia can be ordered online and shipped directly to the University (campus and commuter-based students), or shipped directly to your home address (distance students).   

Cap and Gown Order Deadlines:

• Ship to School – TBD
  If selecting ‘ship to school’ as delivery option – please note required pick up time/day/location:

TBD

• Ship to Home – TBD
  Utilize ship to home option if you are a distance student, or if you are unable to pick up your order on campus on April 11th.

Balfour Size Chart

Announcement Order Form

Regalia Policy

The University has established a regalia policy for which all degree candidates must comply. Please be familiar with the policy to understand what is permitted and what is prohibited. The regalia policy states that only recognized regalia is permitted to be worn from the neck down. This means that honor cords or stoles earned from another institution, country flags, etc., may not be worn at any point during the commencement ceremony. 

• Commencement Regalia Policy

Graduates are welcome to bring guests, as we know that the presence of friends, family and mentors has been invaluable to our graduates.

• Guests will be welcome to view the ceremony from the gymnasium stands.  Seating opens at 9:30 a.m. All guests should be seated by 10:00 a.m.
• The ceremony is expected to last no longer than 2 hours.
• Mask use is supported for those who choose to bring and wear a mask.
• For those families with small children or anyone who does not want to view from within the gymnasium, we will not have a family room this year.
• The ceremony will be live-streamed for guests to view, remotely.

• Partner Hotels
  • Best Western Plus – Offering a 15% discount when asking for the UP-Parent Discount.
  • The Gibson Hotel – $130 per night when mentioning the University of Providence.
  • Hampton Inn Great Falls
  • Heritage Inn
  • Hilton Garden Inn Great Falls
  • Holiday Inn of Great Falls
  • Sleep Inn / MainStay Suites
  • SpringHill Suites
• Great Falls International Airport
• Rental Car
  • Enterprise Great Falls
  • Hertz
  • Avis

Diplomas can be expected to be received within the following time frame: 

• Spring Graduates– Mid-July 
• Summer Graduates– Mid-October 
• Fall Graduates– Mid-February  

*Please note that for initial diploma orders upon graduation, there is not a way to rush or expedite the order from the time frame listed above. 

If you would like to order a replacement diploma or a second copy of your diploma, please use this replacement order form.

The University of Providence does not retain copies of the Diplomas.

Academic honors are based on the calculation of your cumulative UP grade point average for the last semester in which the graduate completes his/her degree. If you are a bachelor seeking student you must earn a minimum of 50 credits from the University of Providence for honors consideration. For May and August graduation applicants, honor designations listed in the commencement program will be based on your most current cumulative GPA as of the April before your commencement ceremony. Academic honors are noted in the program and signified by wearing gold cords during the ceremony. Honor cords can be picked up in the Argo Central Office beginning Monday, April 8 and will also be available at Baccalaureate and the day of Commencement at the check-in table. Applicable honors are listed on your Commencement RSVP cover letter.

**IMPORTANT: Starting September 10, 2024, graduation applications will be temporarily down until mid-October. Please contact your advisor or academic success counselor for guidance if you are planning on graduating December 2024 or May 2025.**

Any student completing degree requirements in December, May or August of the current academic year is eligible and encouraged to participate in the May commencement ceremony, which is the single ceremony for degree candidates, per academic year. A graduation application and application fee of $90.00 is required in order to be considered as a degree candidate.

October 15th- May & August Graduates*

April 15th- December Graduates*

*For late applications, please contact the Registrar’s Office.