Your Graduation Ceremony
Graduation Requirements & How to Apply
Students nearing the completion of their degree requirements must declare the term in which they are seeking to graduate by completing the online Application for Graduation and submitting it to the Office of the Registrar. Read More about and Graduation Requirements/ How to Apply for Graduation below!
Graduation Ceremony Participation
For degree candidates (earning a degree) unable to attend your commencement ceremony, please formally submit an Commencement Absence Request Form two weeks prior to the ceremony date.
Starting in 2024, Belmont will celebrate Commencement in May and December only and has removed August Commencement. Students finishing their degrees in spring and summer 2024 will be invited to participate in their respective May 2024 Commencement ceremonies.
Ceremony Format
All ceremonies are held in-person in the Curb Event Center. Degree candidates will process in at the start of the ceremony and will have their name announced as they walk across the stage.
Degree candidates will enter the Curb Event Center through the Beaman Student Life Center North Lobby (by the Bell Tower and Fit-Rec) and proceed to Check-In for the ceremony. Arrive one hour prior to ceremony to check-in and line up for the processional. Cap and Gown are required for the ceremony.
- Guests may enter the Curb Event Center through the Maddox Grand Atrium up to one hour prior to the event starting.
- Guests with accessibility needs can use the ADA drop-off location on Belmont Blvd. and enter through the Beaman Student Life Center West Lobby. Once inside the West Lobby entrance, ticketed guests can proceed up the elevator to the second floor to enter the Curb Event Center
Special Services
Degree candidates attending graduation that will need accessibility accommodations for the Commencement ceremony may email the Office of Accessibility Services in the Dean of Students office at accessibility.services@belmont.edu, no later than two months prior to Commencement with a request for assistance.
Commencement Tickets
Tickets will be required for all guests attending the ceremonies. More information about tickets can be found at:
Cap & Gown Information
Spring/Summer 2024 Degree Candidates:
Cap and Gown ordering information for May 2024 Commencement will be posted early in the Spring 2024 semester.
Please monitor your student email account for updates on May 2024 Commencement from the Office of the Registrar.
University Policy: Caps and Gowns are to be worn as distributed by the university. Graduates are NOT permitted to wear altered or decorated caps and gowns. For information about adornments, please visit the University Commencement’s Need to Know Information.
Fall 2024 Degree Candidates:
Degree Candidates, the time has come to prepare for the big day! You may pick up your regalia at Beaman A/B during one of the following days/times:
- Monday, December 11th from 8:00-4:30
- Tuesday, December 12th from 8:00-4:30
- Wednesday, December 13th from 8:00-6:00
- Thursday December 14th from 8:00-12:00
Please complete the cap & gown pickup form that will be sent to your Belmont email address prior to the pickup dates to receive your regalia. If you did not order by the deadline, extra regalia will be available for pick up. For questions regarding cap and gown pick up, please email avery.toy@belmont.edu.
We’re excited to celebrate with you!
Sincerely,
The Alumni Relations Team
Foutch Alumni House
University Policy: Caps and Gowns are to be worn as distributed by the university. Graduates are NOT permitted to wear altered or decorated caps and gowns. For information about adornments, please see the Adornments section below.
Commencement Attire
The University approved attire for Commencement is a cap and gown as distributed by the University. Academic honor cords, Alpha Chi cords and Belmont Scholar medallions are issued by the University to qualified undergraduate candidates. Masters and doctoral candidates should wear hoods to commencement as received during their respective hooding ceremonies.
The University's policy on adornments for Commencement allows for the wearing of stoles, pins, cords and/or medals. Adornments should be appropriate for a University-wide ceremonial occasion, and University officials have the right to request the removal of any adornments that are deemed inappropriate or offensive at their discretion.
Commencement Photography
GradImages is the official commencement photographer for our school. Your photo proofs will be ready to view online approximately 48 hours following your Commencement ceremony.
Pre-registering with GradImages is the easiest way to make sure they have an accurate, up-to-date email address for you, and allows GradImages to deliver your complimentary proofs to you and your designated guests as quickly as possible.
Although there's never any obligation to order, you'll receive a coupon for 20% off any order of $50 or more for your participation by pre-registering. To pre-register for your commencement proofs, please visit GradImages.com/Preregistration.
Academic Honor Cords
Students who earn academic honors will receive an academic honor cord based on their cumulative GPA earned as of the prior term. Academic honors recorded on the transcript and diploma based on students' final cumulative GPA earned as of the date of degree conferral. Qualified undergraduate candidates who earn Latin Honors, (Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Summa Cum Laude) will receive email notification for when and where to pick up their cord.
Adornments
Belmont University also recognizes and celebrates the significance of student achievement and engagement in honor societies and recognized student groups and organizations. Adornments should be appropriate for a university-wide ceremonial occasion. Stoles, pins, cords and medals are permitted; however, University officials have the right to request the removal of any adornments that are deemed inappropriate or offensive at their discretion. Contact the Division of Student Formation at studentengagement@belmont.edu with questions.
Know Before You Go
Curb Event Center Arena:
Guests must present mobile ticket to enter
- ONLY bags permitted that do not exceed 12” x 12” x 6” in size
Update: In an effort to continue Belmont University’s long-standing commitment to provide a safer and more secure environment for all attendees, faculty, staff, students and vendors, walk-through metal detectors (WTMDs) will be utilized at all entrances to the Beaman Student Life Center and Curb Event Center.
The following items are prohibited inside the Curb Event Center Arena:
- Alcoholic Beverages and/or Illegal Drugs
- Animals (with the exception of service animals)
- Banners, Flags, Signs, and Posters that are inappropriate in nature, obstruct the views of other patrons, are attached to sticks/poles, and/or are larger than a standard poster board (2’ x 3’ roughly)
- Weapons (including mace/pepper spray and knives of any kind)
- Coolers
- Fireworks
- Glass Items of any kind
- Helium Balloons
- Laser Pointers
- Noise Makers (such as air horns, sirens, cow bells, etc.)
- Outside Food and Beverage (empty, reusable water bottles will be permitted and can be filled at water fountains inside the venue – MUST BE EMPTY)
- Selfie Sticks
- Large Recording Devices
- Camera Tripods
- Wrapped Gifts
Other Important Items to Keep in Mind:
- EXPRESS LANE AVAILABLE for patrons entering WITHOUT bags to provide a quicker entrance into the venue. This entrance will provide a faster and smoother entry to patron seating.
- Ticketed Events: Re-entry is prohibited before, during or after an event
- Smoking, including vaping, is prohibited on the Belmont University Campus
Reminders and Additional Information
- Pay student account, including any parking fines.
- Return all library materials.
- Complete exit interview with the Office of Student Financial Services if you receive any type of federal funding (grants and loans). If any questions, please contact Student Financial Services by email at finaid@belmont.edu or by phone at 615.460.6403.
Optional: Order your class, diploma frame from The Belmont Store or graduation announcements/invitations from Jostens.
Belmont University has teamed up with Parchment to print your diploma and offer an official digital version of your diploma. The digital diploma is easy to access, permanently available to you and can be shared on social media. You will be able to celebrate your accomplishment with those who supported you along the way including your family, friends and colleagues, and share your diploma with potential employers. Your digital diploma will be available 2 – 3 weeks after the conferral of your degree. Your paper diploma will be mailed to you 4 - 6 weeks after the conferral of your degree. Your diploma name and mailing address will appear exactly as submitted on your graduation application.
You may also view your current graduation application through your MyBelmont account.
1. Click on 'Banner Web'
2. Click on 'Student Services and Financial Aid'
3. Click on 'Student Records'
4. Click on 'View Graduation Applications'
Once your diploma is issued, you will receive a claim email and/or text message from Parchment. Parchment will verify your mailing address via email during the digital diploma claim process. Follow the steps at https://www.parchment.com/claim-your-diploma/ to access, share, download and track your diploma!
Make sure official transcripts from all institutions attended are on file with the Office of the Registrar. If taking courses at another institution, confirm that final grades will be submitted to the Belmont University Registrar prior to Commencement (See Academic Calendar)
Whether you've found employment, are attending graduate or professional school, or are still seeking, Belmont's Career Development Team is here for you.
The Office of Career & Professional Development provides a wide range of services and resources to assist current students and graduates with career planning for life. Contact their office at 615-460-6490, careerdevelopment@belmont.edu, or utilize Handshake to schedule an appointment for a resume review, job search strategy, graduate school questions or practice interviews. If you have secured post-graduate employment or been admitted to a program of continuing education, we would love to hear about it and celebrate with you. Please complete your First Destination Survey at bit.ly/FDS2024 to share the good news!