Your NU Grad Walk Guide
Next Grad Walk is December 6, 2025
If you’re getting close to graduating, you now have an exciting option to celebrate your special day: the NU Grad Walk. This special commencement event offers a more intimate, memorable experience that shines a bigger spotlight on you, your family and guests, and the significance of this momentous achievement in your life.
At NU Grad Walk, your family and friends will enjoy a special reserved viewing area where they can look on, cheer, and offer their enthusiastic support throughout your ceremony. As your name is announced, you’ll walk across National University’s commencement stage in full regalia, posing for photos, and accepting your diploma and congratulations from NU leaders.
After receiving your degree or certificate, you can commemorate your achievement in our Celebration Room by meeting with NU faculty and alumni members and capturing more moments in pictures. Our mascot Navi and a variety of photo stations will be ready to help you and your guests snap photos and selfies to document and share the occasion.
If you attended commencement ceremonies in May 2025 you will not be eligible to attend Grad Walk 2025
2024 Grad Walk Highlights
Watch speeches from NU’s President, Provost, and guest speaker, Willie Banks
NU Grad Walk Details
- NU Grad Walk will take place December 6, 2025 in San Diego at:
- Sharp Prebys Innovation and Education Center
8695 Spectrum Center Blvd., San Diego, CA 92123
- Sharp Prebys Innovation and Education Center
- Students that conferred their degree between November 2024 and October 2025 are eligible to participate. You will receive an email with information on how to register, order your ceremony regalia, and other details.
- Invitations and registration open June 2nd, 2025.
- Registration closes October 31st, 2025. Register as soon as possible to reserve your preferred time.
- You may bring up to six guests to help celebrate your achievement.
- A cap and gown are required for participation. Your RSVP confirmation email for NU Grad Walk 2024 will contain a link to order your regalia. The deadline to order is November 1, 2025.
- Complimentary parking is available. Look for on-site signs and staff members for guidance. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.
- Your complete NU Grad Walk experience will run approximately one hour and will include check-in, your big on-stage commencement moment, and congratulations and photos in the Celebration Room. Light refreshments will be provided.
- Don’t forget! You can order a gift for your graduate in advance with easy pick up onsite at grad walk.
- Questions on eligibility and invitations can be emailed to [email protected].
The Grad Walk Process
Step 1 – Arrival
- Wear your regalia and plan to arrive with your guests. Carpooling is strongly recommended.
- Please arrive at your confirmed appointment time.
- Be sure you meet up with your entire party before you enter the welcome area. You’ll then be directed to check-in. You and your guests will remain together throughout the entire NU Grad Walk experience.
Step 2 – Check In and Join Fellow Graduates in Line
- When you arrive at check-in, you will receive your name card.
- You and your guests will then be directed to the waiting area for the commencement stage.
Step 3 – Enjoy Your Big Moment
- You will hand your name card to the on-stage guide and be cued to walk to the center of the stage as your name is announced.
- You will receive an NU diploma folder as you cross the stage, then be congratulated by NU leaders.
- Our professional photographer will capture your special moment. Your guests will be positioned in a reserved viewing area.
- After you cross the stage, you’ll proceed to the final professional photography station for one more photo of you holding your diploma folder.
Step 4 – Visit the Alumni Celebration Room
- You and your group will continue your NU Grad Walk experience in the Celebration Room.
- Take photos and selfies at NU’s designated photo stations and share them on social media with #NUGrad2024!
- Light refreshments will be provided.
Plan Your Visit – Nearby Hotel Information
Courtyard by Marriott
8651 Spectrum Center Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92123
(858) 573-0700
TownePlace Suites by Marriott San Diego Central
8650 Tech Way, San Diego, CA 92123
858-737-9500
Frequently Asked Questions
https://www.nu.edu/nu-gradwalk/
WHEN & WHERE:
- Saturday, December 6, 2025 – 8 am
- Students will be reserving a specific date and time on the Marching Order website. They will be divided into 30-minute increment time slots with a maximum of 40 students per time slot.
- Location
- Sharp Prebys Innovation and Education Center
8695 Spectrum Center Blvd., San Diego, CA 92123
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- Graduates who had their degree conferred between November 2024 and October 2025
- Students in undergraduate or master’s programs who will be within three (3) courses of completing their program by October 31st, 2025, will be invited to participate.
- Doctoral students will only be sent an invitation once they have successfully defended their dissertation. Dissertation defense must occur by October 31, 2025
- Graduates may choose to attend the NU Grad Walk ceremony in December or the commencement ceremony in May but may not attend both.
Registration closes October 31st, 2025
REGALIA DEADLINE: November 1, 2025 (Jostens regalia orders after this date will NOT arrive in time for the ceremony!)
- The NU stole is optional.
- Jostens website: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1006793/National-University/Graduation-Caps-and-Gowns/col_greg_1006793/CATALOG_COLLEGE?subCatalog=true
- Cap and gown are black – Students can opt to purchase their cap and gown through another vendor if necessary (ex. Amazon).
- Undergraduate tassel colors by school:
- College of Law and Public Service (COLPS) – Science Gold
- JFK School of Psychology and Social Sciences (SOPSS) – Navy Blue
- Sanford College of Education (SCOE) – Light Blue
- School of Arts, Letters, and Sciences (SOALS) – Gold
- School of Business and Economics (SOBE) – Drab
- School of Health Professions (SOHP) – Salmon
- School of Technology and Engineering (SOTE) – Orange
- Graduate student tassel colors:
- Masters – Black
- Doctorate – Old Gold
- Graduate hood colors:
- Master’s hoods colors vary from specific graduate programs.
- Please contact [email protected] for more information.
- Eligible students will receive a registration link to Marching Order via email to register for event.
- You may bring up to six guests to help celebrate your achievement.
- Invitations and registration open June 2nd, 2025.
- Tickets are not required for guests.
Students requesting an exception should contact [email protected]
- Yes, commencement will be Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Frontwave Arena, 3475 Hero Dr, Oceanside, CA 92056.
- Registration for commencement closes April 4th 2025.
- Website: National University 2025 Commencement
No. Students who wish to participate must be present.
Registration information will be sent to the personal email address on file. Please ensure that your contact information is up to date in your student portal to ensure delivery. Please be aware that email systems may filter the message into spam or junk.
- Students should submit a Biographical Change eform to the Records Department via their student portal to update their name change.
- Pre-Merger NCU students must contact [email protected] for name changes.
- Honors cords – Eligible students should pick up their cord when they check-in on the day of Grad Walk.
- Military cords – Eligible students should pick up their military cord on the day of Grad Walk.
Yes, so long as it is appropriate for an audience of all ages.
No. Diplomas are automatically mailed to the students’ address on file 8-10 weeks after the conferral date so long as the account balance is zero at the time of conferral.
Students with mobility/accessibility concerns for themselves OR guests should contact Student Accessibility Services at [email protected].
- 8.5×11 Bachelors/Masters
- 11.5×14 Doctoral
Diplomas are automatically mailed out 8 to 10 weeks after the conferral date to the address on file. A link to the digital diploma will be sent to your NU student email address 2-4 weeks after your conferral date. Please note that both the paper and digital diploma cannot be released if you have an outstanding financial obligation with the University.
Once your balance has cleared, please notify the Graduation department by emailing [email protected]. In your email please include your name, student ID and your current mailing address.
If you have any questions about your balance, please contact Student Business Services. They can be reached at [email protected] or (858) 642-8550.