Information for Graduating Students (Spring 2026)

Congratulations on reaching this pivotal moment in your academic journey! As you prepare for North Carolina Central University’s (NCCU) 147th Commencement Exercises, let us be your guide to an unforgettable celebration that reflects the milestone you have achieved. Our one-stop hub is filled with essential information and important deadlines that require your careful attention. Whether you need instructions for ordering your regalia or the official dates for picking up your honor cords, this page is designed to make your graduation experience seamless.

The 147th Commencement Exercises will be held in McDougald-McLendon Arena on:

• May 8, 2026, at 2 p.m.
  • The College of Health and Sciences and the School of Education
• May 9, 2026, at 9 a.m.
  • Graduate, Professional, and Doctoral students 
• May 9, 2026, at 2 p.m.
  • The College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities and the School of Business

All ceremonies will be streamed on  NCCU’s YouTube channel and the  university’s website.

• Order your graduation cap, gown, and accessories through Herff Jones. The deadline to order these is April 6, 2026.
• Pay your $55 graduation fee. The payment deadline is May 4, 2026.
  • Make your payment through myEOL.
• Any grades of “I” – Incomplete must be resolved by March 16, 2026.
• Make sure to clear up your student account balance by May 4, 2026.
  • Check your account balance periodically on myEOL.
  • Contact the Student Accounting Office at 919-530-071 or [email protected] if you have any questions about your account.
  • Make necessary payments through myEOL. View the payment instructions for payment options
• Complete the mandatory student loan exit counseling by May 4, 2026.
  • If you have Stafford Loans or Plus Loans, complete the mandatory student loan exit counseling online only.  If you have questions or need assistance, please email [email protected].
  • If you have a Perkins Loan, please contact [email protected] for instructions on how to complete this requirement.
• Acknowledge acceptance of the mandatory NCCU Commencement Decorum Video by May 4, 2026.
  • As a requirement for participation in the Commencement Ceremony, you will need to acknowledge acceptance of the Commencement Decorum. Review and follow the instructions provided.
• Complete the mandatory Graduating Senior survey by May 4, 2026 (undergraduate students only).
  • The survey login and password will be sent to your NCCU email.
  • For assistance or questions about the survey, contact the Office of Institutional Research and Analysis at [email protected].
• Complete the Community Engagement Academic Graduation Requirement (undergraduate students only).
  • Deadlines:
    • Direct Service and External Community Partner hours (volunteering) are due by April 15, 2026.
    • Service-learning hours are due May 1, 2026.
  • Review this requirement.
  • Log in to Get Connected to check your hours online.
  • Find community engagement opportunities on Get Connected.
  • For questions or assistance, contact the Office of Community Engagement and Service at [email protected] for the fastest response.

Note:  If you are no longer eligible to graduate this semester, please send an email notification immediately to [email protected].

Note: The Zoom Link and password will be emailed to your NCCU email address.

• March 17, 2026, at 10:40 a.m.
• April 14, 2026, at 10:40 a.m.

• Undergraduate, graduate, professional, and doctoral students will have their graduation rehearsals on May 7, 2026, at 6 p.m. in the McDougald-McLendon Arena.
• Graduate, professional, and doctoral students, please remember to bring your regalia.

The link and instructions will be emailed to you to download your permit-to-march and guest tickets prior to the link going live at midnight on May 7, 2026. Be sure to complete this step.

College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities
Office of the Dean
Farrison-Newton Communication Building, Room 115
May 7, 2026
10 a.m.–3 p.m.

College of Health and Sciences
Office of the Dean
Mary Townes Science Complex, Room 1207
May 7, 2026
9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

School of Business
Office of the Dean
New School of Business Building, Room 364
Please see Ms. Chandra Tedder.
May 7, 2026
10 a.m.–3 p.m.

School of Education
H. M. Michaux Jr. School of Education Building

• Department of Counseling and Higher Education
  Please see Ms. Juls Joyner.
  May 7, 2026
  9 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Department of Curriculum and Instruction
  Please see Dr. Mauren Short in Room 2130.
  May 7, 2026
  9 a.m.–3 p.m.

School of Law
In the Fish Bowl Area of the Law School
May 7, 2026
1 p.m.–3 p.m.

School of Library and Information Sciences
James E. Shephard Memorial Library, Room 313
May 7, 2026
9 a.m.– 3 p.m.

Guests requiring wheelchairs or mobility-accessible seating should proceed to the lower level of the Commencement Arena. Upon arrival, guests should scan their admission ticket and inform the nearest security officer that accessible seating is needed. Accessible seating is located behind the graduate seating section and is available on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached. 

Please be aware that NCCU does not provide wheelchairs or mobility assistance. 

Due to limited space, only one companion may accompany each guest in the accessible seating area. Additional members of the party may be seated in the general seating areas. If the ADA seating area reaches capacity, guests with accommodations may be relocated to a designated virtual viewing area.

For guests with limited mobility who are able to navigate a few steps, additional reserved seating is available on the upper level. These seats are also first-come, first-served and may offer a wider view of the ceremony.

If any guest requires a special accommodation other than accessible seating, please email [email protected] in advance so that we can assist. Captioning for the deaf and hard of hearing will be available for all ceremonies.

Students participating in Commencement who require any type of accommodation should contact Student Accessibility Services at [email protected] or 919-530-6325, no later than April 24, 2026, to ensure appropriate arrangements can be made.

Photo Specialties will be on campus April 1, 2026, and April 2, 2026, to take graduation portraits in the North Carolina Central University's Student Center, rooms 2127 and 2128.

Appointments will be available as follows:

• April 1, 2026, from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
• April 2, 2026, from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

A sign-up link will be provided at a later date.

Note: This is not mandatory.

Celebrate our Eagles in style! Graduates and parents of the Class of 2026, create your own custom NCCU Commencement 2026 frames. Show your pride and spread the word! Congratulations, Class of 2026! 

#NCCU26 #EaglePride

TBA