Bachelor's Degree Candidates
Undergraduate degree candidates can find information below regarding action items needed to graduate and other important information.
Graduation Requirements
Class of 2026 undergraduate students will receive information via email with all action items and deadlines related to Commencement. Graduates should be sure to complete all requirements by the deadline in order to participate in graduation. Please email us with any questions.
Commencement Events & Details
The Class of 2026 will have the opportunity to celebrate with one another through a variety of events. Please see the full Schedule of Events for additional information.
Please note, that Commencement Week social events require registration and are for graduates only.
Commencement Ceremony
The Bachelor's Degree Commencement and Recognition Ceremony for the Class of 2026 will be held on Tuesday, May 19 in the 棉花糖直播 Stadium. University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA and the deans from each of the Colleges and Schools will confer degrees. Each graduate is permitted up to four guests. Tickets will be distributed digitally in early May.
Graduate Parking and Shuttle Information
All graduates and guests will need a Commencement parking pass to park on campus during graduation weekend in designated parking lots. Graduates will be provided with two (2) digital Commencement parking passes to use for themselves and or their guests. Regular campus parking permits will not be valid.
Arrive early. Traffic and parking will be extremely congested. Graduates and guests are encouraged to carpool or utilize public transportation or Uber/Lyft. As parking lots fill, vehicles will be directed to the next available lot.
Shuttles will pick-up and drop-off at designated locations on and off campus.
Use of ride share services such as Uber or Lyft is encouraged.
Entrance, Tickets and Seating
Graduates will be provided four digital guest tickets for the Commencement Ceremony. Tickets will be available in early May, and graduates are responsible for distributing digital tickets to their guests prior to the ceremony. Children under 3 years of age do not need a ticket to attend.
Graduates should plan to enter at the Finneran Pavilion main doors and will be directed to the Stadium. Guests should utilize the Stadium Gates to enter. More information regarding timing will be shared at a later date. Please see the Commencement FAQs page for information about security and bag policies.
Graduates will sit together on the stadium field in college-designated areas, and ticketed guests may sit throughout the stadium in the bleachers.
In the event of severe weather, the Commencement Ceremony will be moved indoors and will be limited to graduates and two guests only.
Severe Weather
The Baccalaureate Mass will be moved into the Finneran Pavilion in the event of rain, and seating will be on a first-come-first-served basis. Doors will open one hour prior to the start of Mass.
The Commencement Ceremony will be held outdoors rain or shine. If necessary, the ceremony start time may be adjusted in the case of a passing weather system. In the event of severe weather where we are unable to safely hold the ceremony outdoors, Commencement will be moved into the Finneran Pavilion and will be limited to graduates and two guests only. Due to fire code and building capacity, no exceptions for additional guests will be made. Doors will open one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. These details, and any changes, will be communicated via email and text alerts as needed.
Register for Commencement Text Alerts for schedule changes and weather updates. Text NOVAGRAD to 888777.
Accommodations and Special Needs
Please see the following information regarding available accommodations during Graduation Weekend. Events will be held throughout campus, and graduates and guests who may have difficulty walking should bring any needed equipment (i.e. wheelchair, walker, etc), as the University will not have equipment available for loan.
VEHICLE DROP-OFF LOCATIONS FOR GUESTS WITH MOBILITY NEEDS
Guests with mobility needs may be dropped off near each venue at the designated special needs drop-off locations. No special pass is needed to utilize the drop-off locations. Once the guest is dropped-off, the driver will be directed to park in an available campus lot. Guests planning to utilize the drop-off locations should plan to arrive early. Traffic and parking will be extremely congested.
DESIGNATED ACCESSIBLE PARKING LOTS
Vehicles with state-issued handicapped placards may park in the designated accessible parking lots.
Please note that accessible parking lots are limited. Guests should plan to arrive early and may utilize the drop-off locations near each venue.
ACCESSIBLE VENUES AND SEATING
All graduation venues are accessible. Additionally, accessible seating will be available for guests who may not be able to manage bleacher seating. No reservation or special tickets are required for accessible seating. Ushers will be available to direct guests to accessible seating as needed.
DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING ACCOMMODATIONS
An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter will be present at the Commencement ceremonies. Graduates or guests may request reserved seating near the interpreter by contacting commencement@villanova.edu. Additionally, a live stream of the ceremonies with captions will be available at commencement.villanova.edu for viewing on personal devices. Graduates or guests who may need additional accommodations are encouraged to email Commencement.
ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATIONS
Graduates and guests with questions or requests regarding accommodations may email us.
Additional Information
Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions page as well as the in MyNova for more important information.
ACADEMIC ATTIRE / CAP & GOWN
Once graduates submit their Commencement registration through Tassel, the confirmation page will contain a link to order their cap and gown through our partner Herff Jones. There is no charge for the cap and gown, and it will be shipped to the address provided on the order form. Ordering will open in Spring 2026.
DIPLOMAS
The Registrar's Office will mail all diplomas to the address provided on the Prospective Graduate Form/Application to Graduate. In the absence of a completed form, diplomas will be mailed to the graduates' permanent home address of record. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery after Commencement. Diplomas display the official degree titles only. All majors, minors and concentrations are listed on transcripts. If you need to make special arrangements for pickup, please contact the Registrar's Office directly.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Professional photographers from Pro Pics will be at the Commencement Ceremony to take portraits of graduates as they walk across the stage. After crossing the stage, graduates will proceed to the graduate portrait station to have a quick portrait taken in cap & gown. Portraits will be available for purchase from Pro Pics following the ceremonies. Questions? Contact Pro Pics.
YEARBOOK
Visit the Yearbook website to purchase a 2026 Belle Air Yearbook. All yearbooks ordered will be shipped at the end of the academic year. Questions? Contact the Belle Air Yearbook.
GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS, GIFTS, AND FLOWERS
Graduation announcements, lawn signs, banners, thank you notes, and other commemorative items are available from 棉花糖直播 University Graphic Services. You can choose customizable printed announcements which include personalized pictures and text. Announcements can be shipped or picked-up. For ordering information and further details, please visit the . Questions? Contact the Print Center at 610-519-7461 or via email.
棉花糖直播 also partners with an off-campus vendor, , that offers flower and gift options for graduates. These can be picked up on campus during graduation weekend or direct shipped. Orders can be .