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October 27-28

Commencement Weekend in Las Vegas

Commencement Ceremony
(All Graduates)
Friday, October 27


Thomas and Mack Center
4505 S Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89154

Check-in Time: 3 pm
Ceremony Time: 4 pm 

Alumni Celebration* 
Friday, October 27

Virgin Hotel Las Vegas
4455 Paradise Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89169

6:00-9:00 pm

*As of Tuesday, August 22, the alumni celebration reached capacity and registration closed. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to celebrating with you at commencement and convocation. If you registered for the alumni celebration prior to August 22, your registration will be honored. You can find commencement and alumni celebration registration details on your commencement email confirmation that was received after your RSVP was submitted.

Convocation Ceremonies
Saturday, October 28


Thomas and Mack Center
4505 S Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89154

College of Business & College of IT
Check-in Time: 8:30 am
Ceremony Time: 9:30 am

Leavitt School of Health & School of Education
Check-in Time: 12:30 pm
Ceremony time: 1:30 pm

RSVP Information

To RSVP, you must have either your Graduation Application submitted to the Student Records department or be enrolled in and only have your final course remaining, such as capstone, final certification, or demonstration teaching. If you don’t currently meet this requirement, wait to RSVP until the requirement is met.

Students who are enrolled in their final course may submit an email to commencement@wgu.edu with “Final Course” in subject line along with desired commencement ceremony.

For more information, review the Commencement Ceremony Participation Guidelines.

If you have any questions, please contact us at commencement@wgu.edu or by phone 385.428.2085.

Attention iOS users (iPhone/iPad): please use Chrome or Firefox browser to submit your ceremony RSVP form. If you use Safari (default iOS browser) to complete your RSVP form, you will receive a false application rejection message. If uncertain, please complete the ceremony RSVP form on a computer rather than your iOS device.

Las Vegas Commencement Deadlines:

Las Vegas Commencement Details:

  • Commencement Guidebook Coming Soon

  • Commencement Program Coming Soon

Hotel Discounts

Courtyard Las Vegas Convention Center
Hotel Address: 3275 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109-9039
Distance to commencement venue: 2.2 miles

Room rate: $259.00 USD per night, The Hotel’s room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes (currently 13.38%) in effect at the time of check-out.
Booking deadline closed: Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Nights rate is valid: 10/26 – 10/28

Amenities Includes:  

  • Laundry: Coin Operated machines on site
  • Dry Cleaning: Drop off in the morning and the items are returned in the evening
  • Gym: Included and available 24/7
  • Outdoor Pool: Available 7am-11pm
  • Wireless Internet: Free (available throughout the hotel)

Parking:  Overnight parking is $15 per night

How to guarantee your room:  Credit Card

Cancellation:  48-hour individual cancellation policy

How to book reservations: You may have your guests in your group directly call Marriott Reservations at 1-800-321-2211 on or before Tuesday, September 26, 2023 to make their sleeping room reservations.  Please advise guests to identify themselves as part of WGU Commencement Room Block staying at the Courtyard Las Vegas Convention Center, located at 3275 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV  89109-9039.

Alternatively, they can book their reservations on our website by following the hyperlink provided below.

Link to book: Book Your Group/Corporate Rate | Marriott International

Residence Inn Las Vegas Convention Center
Hotel Address:  3225 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV  89109-9039
Distance to commencement venue: 2.7 miles

Room rate: $247, The Hotel’s room rates are subject to applicable state and local taxes (currently 13.38%) in effect at the time of check-out.
Must book by: Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Nights rate is valid: 10/26 - 10/28

Amenities Includes:  

  • Breakfast is complimentary  
  • Laundry: Coin Operated machines on site
  • Dry Cleaning: Drop off in the morning and the items are returned in the evening
  • Gym: Included and available 24/7
  • Outdoor Pool and Jacuzzi: Available 7am-11pm
  • Wireless Internet: Free (available throughout the hotel)

Parking: Overnight parking is $15 per night

Guarantee: Credit Card

Cancellation: 48 Hour Individual Cancellation Policy

How to book reservations: How to book reservations:  You may have your guests in your group directly call Marriott Reservations at 1 (800) 331-3131 on or before Tuesday, September 26, 2023 to make their sleeping room reservations.  Please advise guests to identify themselves as part of WGU Commencement Room Block staying at the Residence Inn Las Vegas Convention Center, located at 3225 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV  89109-9039.

Alternatively, they can book their reservations on our website by following the hyperlink provided below.

Link to book: Book Your Group/Corporate Rate | Marriott International

Las Vegas Marriott   
Hotel Address: 325 Convention Center Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
Distance to commencement venue: 2.4 miles

Room rate: $271 USD per night
Must book by: Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Nights rate is valid: 10/26 - 10/28

Amenities Includes:  

  • 24 hour fitness center 
  • 24 hour business center 
  • 24 hour coin laundry 
  • Pool and jacuzzi 
  • Complimentary internet in the lobby 
  • On-site restaurant - Café 325

Parking: $25 per day per vehicle 

Guarantee: credit card

Cancellation: 48 hours

How to book reservations: Guests can either click the reservation link to book online (listed below) or guests call the Marriott reservation line at 1-800-228-9290, but please have them refer to the name of the group to receive the special group rate. Name of the group: Western Governors University WGU Commencement Room Block at Las Vegas Marriott

Link to book: Book Your Group/Corporate Rate | Marriott International

Residence Inn Hughes Center 
Hotel Address: 370 Hughes Center Drive LV, NV 89169
Distance to commencement venue: 1.2 miles

Room rate:   $235.00
Must book by:  September 26, 2023
Nights rate is valid: 10/26 - 10/28 

Amenities Includes:  

  • Buffet Breakfast 
  • In room Kitchen 
  • Queen Bed 
  • Pull Out Sofa Bed 
  • Heated Outdoor Pool 
  • Fitness Center 
  • Business Center

Parking: $15.00 Daily

Guarantee: Credit Card

Cancellation: 48 hours with no penalty

How to book reservations:  Reservation Link 

Link to book:Book Your Group/Corporate Rate | Marriott International

 

Alumni Celebration in Las Vegas*

Friday, October 27, 6:00-9:00pm PT

*As of Tuesday, August 22, the alumni celebration reached capacity and registration closed. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to celebrating with you at commencement and convocation. If you registered for the alumni celebration prior to August 22, your registration will be honored. You can find commencement and alumni celebration registration details on your commencement email confirmation that was received after your RSVP was submitted.

Kick off your commencement weekend with this exclusive alumni celebration in honor of our graduates!

All graduates, guests, and families who are attending the 2023 WGU Commencement in Las Vegas are invited to join us for the Alumni Celebration at The Virgin Hotel Event Lawn.  

This family-friendly event is free to attend and will provide grads and their guests opportunities to connect, enjoy refreshments, take photos, play games, and dance the night away! We encourage graduates and guests to dress in business attire. Come for the celebration, stay for the fun:

  • Take photos in our social photo booth and share using #WGUgrad
  • Take photos with a live owl
  • Meet Sage the Night Owl
  • Visit our affiliated partnership booths to receive career advice, purchase WGU swag, refer a friend, pick up your WGU Philanthropy Cord, and more
  • Hit the dance floor or play family-friendly games with a fun WGU twist
  • Enjoy refreshments and self-pay bar
  • Participate in our passport activity for a chance to win a gift code to the WGU Online Store

 

 

Contact Information: 

Alumni Celebration contact: alumnievents@wgu.edu

Alumni Celebration ADA and accessibility: alumnievents@wgu.edu

Commencement questions: commencement@wgu.edu

Parking Details

Coming Soon

Date: October 27, 2023

Time: 6-9 pm, PT

Location:
Virgin Hotel Las Vegas
4455 Paradise Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89169

Parking & Bag Policies


Information Coming Soon!


 

Hotel Discounts

Information Coming Soon!

Alumni Celebration in Las Vegas

Friday, October 27

Information Coming Soon!

 Convocation Keynote Speaker

Information Coming Soon!

College of Business & College of IT Graduate Speakers

Information Coming Soon!

Leavitt School of Health & School of Education Graduate Speakers

Information Coming Soon!

National Anthem Singers

Information Coming Soon!

Frequently Asked Questions

Commencement/Convocation FAQs

As the university continues to see steady growth, new commencement models will be introduced to deliver the best graduate experience possible. In Washington, D.C. and Las Vegas only, one large gathering with all graduates will take place on Friday (Commencement) with smaller college-focused convocations taking place on Saturday. The Alumni Celebration will remain on Friday evening for graduates and their guests.

All graduates will be invited to attend a commencement ceremony that will feature remarks by university leaders, a keynote speaker, and will recognize all graduates for completing their degrees.  

Graduates will gather by college for more personalized ceremonies. This ceremony is where each graduate will have their moment in the spotlight and walk across the stage to be recognized individually.  

For the full commencement experience, we encourage graduates to attend both commencement and convocation ceremonies as they complement each other. In addition, we recommend attending the Alumni Celebration which provides fun, food, and entertainment for graduates and their guests.

A commencement guidebook will be loaded onto the commencement app and emailed to each graduate with check-in details, parking, maps, and more.

Please arrive dressed in your cap and gown for each ceremony. Due to the number of graduates and schedule, it is not practical to change into regalia at the venue.

Graduate names will be read during the convocation ceremony on Saturday. Please see the individual commencement page for further details.  

The Friday commencement ceremony is typically one and a half hours.

Ceremony FAQs

A commencement guidebook will be loaded onto the commencement app and emailed to each graduate with check-in details, parking, maps, and much more. 

Graduates are recommended to bring up to 8 guests, but tickets are not required to enter the commencement ceremony. Please feel free to bring your extra guests. Graduates do not need to update their initial guest count with the Commencement Office.  

Tickets are not required for WGU commencement weekend events.  

Only the names of graduates who physically attend an in-person commencement or submit a video to a virtual commencement will have their names read.

Policies vary by location and venue. Please consult the commencement app for further details three weeks prior to the ceremony date.  

Please arrive dressed in your cap and gown for the commencement ceremony. Due to the number of graduates and schedule, it is not practical to change into regalia at the venue.

You can watch the commencement ceremony at the WGU YouTube channel at any point after the start of the ceremony.

The commencement photos are usually available 2-3 weeks after commencement. Those photos will be available for viewing at https://thegradteam.com/events/wgu/

Did you know that WGU Alumni have access to hundreds of discounts? Log in to BenefitHub to search for deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.

Ceremony Participation & RSVP FAQs

There is not a time limit on when a graduate may walk in a commencement. Graduates may only participate in one commencement ceremony per degree program completed.

Tickets are not required for commencement weekend events.  

Generally, the commencement ceremony lasts 2 hours.

Yes, it is possible for a commencement ceremony to reach capacity. We suggest that you submit an RSVP to your desired ceremony as soon as you are eligible.

Please review the commencement participation guidelines located in the student handbook, which outlines the eligibility for commencements.

Graduates who wish to participate in an in-person or virtual commencement ceremony must complete two steps. 

  1. Submit either your Graduation Application or be enrolled in and only have your final course remaining, such as capstone, final certification, or demonstration teaching.  

  1. Submit an RSVP via the commencement web site (available at wgu.edu/commencement).  

To RSVP, you must have either your Graduation Application submitted to the Student Records department or be enrolled in your final course, such as capstone, final certification, or demonstration teaching. If you don’t currently meet this requirement, wait to RSVP until the requirement is met. 

Students who are enrolled in their final course may submit an email to commencement@wgu.edu with "Final Course" in subject line along with desired commencement ceremony.

No, the graduation application process is separate from commencement. If the Commencement Office has granted a final course exemption, you do not have to have your graduation application submitted to walk at commencement. 

Yes, the ceremony RSVP form is a separate process from the graduation application. The completion of the ceremony RSVP form reserves your seat at commencement and generates your name card for the announcer. 

After a graduate submits the ceremony RSVP form, a confirmation email is sent to the email address listed on the completed RSVP form. Please check your junk inbox. If you do not see a confirmation email for your ceremony RSVP. Please contact us at commencement@wgu.edu with additional questions.

No. Once registration has closed, no late additions, including day of (walk-up) will be permitted.

Graduates may walk in one commencement ceremony per degree. As of January 2022, a graduate may participate in one ceremony per degree, either a virtual or in-person ceremony.

Photos from each commencement ceremony will be available for purchase through our photography partner The Grad Team in the week following each commencement. All photos can be viewed on their website here.

Regalia FAQs

Oak Hall Cap and Gown is the official regalia vendor (caps, gowns, and hoods) for WGU. You can place your order via the website or call 1-800-456-7623 and ask for the Web Department. The official regalia color for graduates is navy.  For visual reference, please see our bachelor’s regalia video and our master’s regalia video. 

For bachelor’s degree, post-baccalaureate teacher programs, or endorsement preparation program (English Language Learning), you should order a cap, bachelor's gown, and tassel. For those earning a master's degree or endorsement preparation program (Educational Leadership), you should order a cap, master's gown, tassel, and a master's hood.

The following master’s hoods are available for purchase at the WGU-Oak Hall Cap and Gown website:

Education - blue 
Business (all MBAs) - drab 
Information Technology - gold 
Nursing – apricot 
Integrated Healthcare Management - salmon 
Master of Health Leadership - sage green

You can order a tassel at the WGU-Oak Hall Cap and Gown website, or by calling 1-800-456-7623 and ask for the Web Department.

Yes, WGU graduates affiliated with an honor society may wear society pins or honor cords/sashes on their gowns. Teacher graduates affiliated with the WGU chapter of the international honor society of Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) may order honor cords at http://www.kdp.org.    

Prior to the conferral of degrees, bachelor's degree graduates wear the tassel on the right while master's degree graduates wear their tassel on the left for the entire commencement ceremony.

A graduate should wear academic attire appropriate to the awarded degree. The master's gown differs from a bachelor's gown. If you already have a cap and tassel, you can order a master's gown as an individual item on the WGU-Oak Hall Cap and Gown website. Please note that the academic attire for a master's graduate includes a cap, tassel, master's gown, and hood.

WGU graduates who are veterans or active-duty military will be provided with a military honor cord. For virtual commencements, cords will be shipped to the address provided on their RSVP. For in-person commencements, cords will be picked up at graduate check-in. On your RSVP form, please mark that you are a veteran or on active duty.

Graduates are permitted to decorate their caps and wear sashes with their regalia. Take into consideration the following if decorating your cap or wearing a sash for commencement: 

WGU does not allow content on caps or sashes that is considered, in WGU’s sole discretion, obscene, vulgar, defamatory, hateful, inappropriate, profane or that might disregard another’s copyright or third-party rights. All decorations must lie flat on the cap. 

Philanthropy Cords FAQs

The Philanthropy Cord is a blue and gold cord that WGU graduates often wear with their cap and gown at commencement. The Philanthropy cord is not only a symbol of their commitment to WGU, but also an opportunity for them to “pay it forward” and help current and future WGU students.

Graduates can receive a Philanthropy Cord by making a gift of $25 or more to WGU’s Fellow Night Owl Scholarship, a fund established to help current WGU students facing financial hardship cross the finish line to graduation. To donate, graduates can text “WGUCord” to 41-444 or visit this link.

All proceeds from the Philanthropy Cord sales support our Fellow Night Owl Scholarship Fund, which helps current students experiencing financial hardships with need-based scholarships. Your donation is put to immediate use and provides help when it is needed the most. To learn more, click here.

For in-person commencements: If a donation is made more than four weeks prior to commencement weekend, the Philanthropy Cord will be mailed to the graduate. The cord may also be picked up by visiting the WGU Advancement table at the Alumni Celebration or during graduate check-in before commencement.

For virtual commencements: Philanthropy Cords will be mailed to the graduate prior to the ceremony date.

WGU Advancement, founded in 2018, is the official fundraising arm of Western Governors University (WGU). We are committed to supporting our students, faculty, and staff through our fundraising program to advance the mission of WGU. Your gifts help us to attract and retain talented students, provide student scholarships, and help our students “cross the finish line” to graduation!

No problem. You can donate to the Fellow Night Owl Scholarship Fund by clicking on this link or texting “WGUGrad” to 41-444. Every gift, big or small, makes a difference. Thank you in advance for your support.

Letter of Invitation for Abroad & Commencement Announcements FAQs

Yes, students may send an email to records@wgu.edu with the family member's full name, relationship to the student, and foreign address. Once provided, the Records Department will prepare documents containing information about the commencement and student's earned degree. These prepared letters will then be sent to the student to forward them to the correct parties. It may take 5-10 business days for the letters to be mailed to the student.

Jostens is the current provider for commencement announcements.

Graduation Application & Diploma FAQs

Visit the graduation application page in the student handbook for the most current information on how to apply for graduation.

Visit the graduation application page in the student handbook for the most current information on how to receive your diploma.  

BUSINESS

IT

HEALTH & NURSING

EDUCATION

BACHELOR'S WITH LICENSURE

Elementary Education – B.A.

Special Education and Elementary Education (Dual Licensure) – B.A.

Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) – B.S.

Mathematics Education (Secondary) – B.S.

Science Education (Middle Grades) – B.S.

Science Education (Secondary Chemistry) – B.S.

Science Education (Secondary Physics) – B.S.

Science Education (Secondary Biological Science) – B.S.

Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) – B.S.

_____

MASTER'S WITH LICENSURE

Teaching, Elementary Education – M.A.

Teaching, English Education (Secondary) – M.A.

Teaching, Mathematics (Middle Grades) – M.A.

Teaching, Mathematics (Secondary) – M.A.

Teaching, Science (Secondary) – M.A.

Teaching, Special Education (K-12) – M.A.

_____

GRADUATE DEGREES FOR LICENSED TEACHERS
Educational Leadership – M.S.

English Language Learning (PreK-12) Endorsement Preparation

Science Education (Middle Grades) – M.A.

Science Education (Secondary Chemistry) – M.A.

Science Education (Secondary Physics) – M.A.

Science Education (Secondary Biological Science) – M.A.

Science Education (Secondary Earth Science) – M.A.

Mathematics Ed (K-6) – M.A.

Mathematics Education (Middle Grades) – M.A.

Mathematics Education (Secondary) – M.A.

_____

Other Education Programs
Educational Studies – B.A.

Curriculum and Instruction – M.S.

Learning Experience Design and Educational Technology – M.S.

BACHELOR'S DEGREES

Cloud Computing – B.S.

Computer Science – B.S.

Cybersecurity and Information Assurance – B.S.

Data Analytics – B.S.

Information Technology – B.S.

Network Engineering and Security – B.S.

Software Engineering – B.S.

Accelerated Information Technology Bachelor's and Master's Degree

Health Information Management – B.S. (from the School of Health)

Information Technology Management – B.S. Business Administration (from the College of Business)

____

MASTER'S DEGREES

Cybersecurity and Information Assurance – M.S.

Data Analytics – M.S.

Information Technology Management – M.S.

MBA Information Technology Management (from the College of Business)

BACHELOR'S DEGREES

Business Management – B.S. Business Administration

Healthcare Administration – B.S.

Human Resource Management – B.S. Business Administration

Information Technology Management – B.S. Business Administration

Marketing – B.S. Business Administration

Accounting – B.S. Business Administration

Finance – B.S.

Supply Chain and Operations Management – B.S.

Accelerated Information Technology Bachelor's and Master's Degree

Health Information Management – B.S. (from the School of Health)

_____

MASTER'S DEGREES

Master of Business Administration

MBA Information Technology Management

MBA Healthcare Management

Human Resource Management – M.S.

Management and Leadership – M.S.

Accounting – M.S.

Marketing– M.S.

Master of Healthcare Administration (from the School of Health)

Data Analytics – M.S. (from the College of Information Technology)

BACHELOR'S DEGREES

Nursing (RN to BSN online) – B.S.

Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S. (Available in select states)

Health Information Management – B.S.

Health and Human Services – B.S.

Healthcare Administration – B.S. (from the College of Business)

____

MASTER'S DEGREES

Nursing – Education (BSN to MSN) – M.S.

Nursing – Leadership and Management (BSN to MSN) – M.S.

Nursing – Nursing Informatics (BSN to MSN) – M.S.

Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN to MSN) – M.S. (Available in select states)

Nursing – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN to MSN) – M.S. (Available in select states)

Nursing – Education (RN to MSN Option) – M.S.

Nursing – Leadership and Management (RN to MSN Option) – M.S.

Nursing – Nursing Informatics (RN to MSN Option) – M.S.

Master of Healthcare Administration

MBA Healthcare Management (from the College of Business)

____

CERTIFICATES

Nursing – Education, Post-Master's Certificate

Nursing – Leadership and Management, Post-Master's Certificate

Family Nurse Practitioner— Post-Master's Certificate

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner— Post-Master's Certificate

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