Information for Graduating Students (Fall 2025)

Congratulations on reaching this pivotal moment in your academic journey! As you prepare for North Carolina Central University’s (NCCU) 146th 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 146th Commencement Exercises will be held in McDougald-McLendon Arena on:

• December 12, 2025, at 9 a.m.
  • Graduate, Professional, and Doctoral students
• December 12, 2025, at 2 p.m.
  • All Undergraduate students

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

• Any grades of “I” (incomplete) must be resolved by October 14, 2025.
• Order your graduation cap, gown, and accessories through Herff Jones. The deadline to order these is November 10, 2025.
• Pay your $55 non-refundable graduation fee. The payment deadline is December 8, 2025.
  • Make your payment through myEOL.
• Make sure to clear up your student account balance by December 8, 2025.
  • 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 noon on November 27, 2025.
  • 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 December 8, 2025.
  • 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 December 8, 2025 (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 November 15, 2025.
    • Service-learning hours are due by December 5, 2025.
  • 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].

• Undergraduate, graduate, professional, and doctoral students will have their graduation rehearsals on December 11, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the McDougald-McLendon Arena.

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

• October 30, 2025, at 10:40 a.m. (Please see Questions and Answers from 10/30/25 meeting)
• November 11, 2025, at 10:40 a.m.  (Please see Questions and Answers from 11/11/25 meeting).

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 December 11, 2025. Be sure to complete this step.

College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities
Office of the Dean
Farrison-Newton Communication Building, Room 115
December 11, 2025
10 a.m.–3 p.m.

College of Health and Sciences
Office of the Dean
Mary Townes Science Complex, Room 1207
December 11, 2025
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.
December 11, 2025
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.
  December 11, 2025
  9 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Department of Curriculum and Instruction
  Please see Dr. Mauren Short in Room 2130.
  December 11, 2025
  9 a.m.–3 p.m.

School of Law
In the Fish Bowl Area of the Law School
December 11, 2025
1 p.m.–3 p.m.

School of Library and Information Sciences
James E. Shephard Memorial Library, Room 313
December 11, 2025
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 November 28, 2025, to ensure appropriate arrangements can be made.

Photo Specialties will be on campus on November 12, 2025, and November 13, 2025, to take graduation portraits in the North Carolina Central University's Student Center, rooms 2127 and 2128. If you do not receive your regalia by the time of your appointment, the photographer will have loaner regalia. 

Note: This is not mandatory.

If you have met all academic, non-academic, and financial requirements at North Carolina Central University, your diploma will be available after commencement in your respective College or School.

Starting the Wednesday following commencement, you may either:

• Pick up your diploma in person at the Office of the Registrar (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) with a valid photo ID, or
• Request to have it mailed by following the instructions below.
• Pay the $10 postage fee by calling the NCCU Cashier’s Office at 919-530-6209, 919-530-6014, or 919-530-6234.
• Complete and submit the Request for Original Diploma Mailing Form via fax (919-530-7974) or email ([email protected]).

Note: Please allow up to 15 business days for your degree to be posted to your official NCCU transcript. Beginning Summer 2025, a digital diploma will be automatically emailed to your NCCU email account with the instructions for creating a Parchment account and accessing your digital diploma. Diplomas — both printed and digital — will not be released if you have any outstanding obligations to the University.

You have reached an incredible milestone and we are excited to celebrate with you. If you are an undergraduate student who graduated in Summer 2025 or you are graduating Fall 2025, you are invited to the New Alumni Fall Pinning Ceremony — a special event to honor your achievements and officially welcome you into the NCCU alumni family.

• Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025
• Location: NCCU Student Center
• Attire: Maroon and gray or black professional attire

To help us prepare for this memorable occasion, please RSVP for the New Alumni Fall Pinning Ceremony by November 30, 2025. If you have any questions or need accommodations, feel free to contact Sharrah Wortham at [email protected] or 919-530-7517. We look forward to celebrating with you — congratulations again on your achievement!