The Commencement Ceremony celebrates the successful completion of your law academic program. Participation in the Hooding ceremony does not guarantee that a student has graduated, nor is it a requirement to graduate. However, this ceremony is traditionally a rite of passage, which family and friends anticipate and remember as a formal marker in a graduate's life.

Eligible Students -
You are eligible to participate if you finished your degree requirements by Fall 2009.

Where -
This year's Graduation will be held at the Rose and Alfred Miniaci Performing Arts Center.

Get driving directions from Google Maps Or download directions

Parking will be available in the NSU parking garage. Passes will be given out.

When -
The Commencement Ceremony will be held on Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. Graduates should please arrive by 1:00 p.m. so that they can be briefed and lined up for the processional into the Auditorium.

The Ceremony -
The Graduation will begin with a processional into the Auditorium by the graduates and will be followed by remarks from Dean Steele, your student speaker and a faculty speaker will be announced at a later date. Graduates' names will be called individually (with any academic honors) for the official hooding. You may choose a relative or close friend to place the hood over your head on stage. If your name falls at the beginning of the alphabet, you should ask your relative/friend, who will have a designated seat at the front of the auditorium, to make his/her way to the right side in the audience just prior to your name being announced at the ceremony. When it's your turn, you will give your hood to your relative/friend, turn to the audience and allow him/her to place the hood over your head from behind. A photographer will be on hand to catch this special moment. You will then shake hands with Dean Steele and exit the stage on the left. You and your relative will return to your respective seats. After some brief closing remarks, the ceremony will conclude. We expect the ceremony to last about 1-1½ hours.

The ceremony will be followed by a champagne reception for the graduates and their guests in the atrium of the law center immediately after graduation.

Your Participation -
In preparation for this event, we need some important information from you. Please take a few minutes to fill out the attached December Graduation Ceremony form if you plan to join us at the the Silverman Auditorium at the Epstein Center of the Arts for this event and return it to Naomi Scheiner (scheinern@nsu.law.nova.edu) in the office of Student Affairs before November 1st, 2009.

Getting your Diploma -
You will not receive an official diploma at the graduation ceremony. At the ceremony you will be called to stage and announced as a candidate for graduation. At this time, you will receive a certificate of congratulations. To receive an official diploma, if you have not already received one, you must submit an Application for Degree online. Your diploma will be mailed to you upon certification of your graduation from the University. It is recommended that candidates for graduation check to make certain that the correct name and address be on file with the Office of the University Registrar. Contact the Office of the University Registrar by calling 1-800-541-6682, extension 7263, to confirm this and to ask additional questions regarding your diploma.

Online Application for Degree/Diploma - Important Instructions

Wearing your Regalia -
So that you look your very best, here are a few suggestions on how to wear your cap, gown, and hood. Your cap should be worn so that the mortarboard is level and not placed on the back or side of your head. The crown should rest approximately one and one-half inches above each ear. This also helps to assure that the mortarboard is level. Your tassel should be worn on the left-hand side and will remain on the left. Drape your hood over your right arm during the processional. It will remain on your right arm until you go up and get hooded.

If you have any questions, please contact Naomi Scheiner scheinern@nsu.law.nova.edu at (954) 262-6128.