Commencement

Commencement is an opportunity to celebrate our graduates and candidates for graduation from the current academic year who choose to attend. For the past several years, more than 400 students have participated in each commencement ceremony.

Commencement ceremonies are held once a year in the spring. Grand View does not host a commencement ceremony in December. At the end of each semester, Grand View hosts a Toast to the Tassel celebration for graduates to attend. Mid-year graduates are welcome to participate in the spring event.

Guests visiting Des Moines who will need a hotel and air accommodations are encouraged to book early. Other large events are frequently scheduled in Des Moines during this time, so options can fill quickly.

Note: The Iowa Events Center has a clear bag policy. Other bags may be subject to search. Seating is on a first come first serve basis. The ceremony will be approximately 2.5 hours long.

When is Commencement?

Commencement took place on Sunday, May 4, 2025.

Next year's Commencement will be on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
Degree Application Process

  1. Early in your time at Grand View, you set up a completion plan in myGVU through Student Self Service, listing all the classes you planned to complete. Review it with your advisor regularly. Around 15 months before you plan to finish your last class at Grand View, submit the Student Self Service graduation application to notify the registrar’s office that it is time to review the final version of your plan.
  2. During your final year, you will let Grand View know whether you’ll participate in the commencement ceremony, including providing the name you’d like on your diploma and your cap and gown information, by completing an online Commencement RSVP form found on myGVU.
  3. About a month before you finish your last class, you will complete an online Graduation Checkout form to provide an address for your diploma to be mailed.
  4. Additional information can be found on myGVU on the Graduation page. Watch your Grand View email account for reminders!
Ceremony & Events

Additional details for graduates, including a timeline and frequently asked questions, can be found on myGVU. Students will need to log in to view the information.

The ceremony will include remarks from a student speaker as well as an honored guest speaker. The ceremony usually lasts approximately two hours.

The Iowa Events Center prohibits outside food and beverages, but water will be available in the ceremony hall. Students will not have a secure place to store their belongings (purses, wallets, phones) during line-up and the processional, so we strongly encourage graduates to give their valuables to guests or family members until after the ceremony.

View 2025 Commencement Event Page
Transition to Alumni Status
  • Update your address via myGVU; future communications from Grand View University will be sent to this address.
  • Remit payment for any outstanding balance on your bill via myGVU. Transcripts and diplomas may not be released until your balance is paid in full.
  • Update email routing address via myGVU.
  • Financial Aid impacts each student differently; student borrowers should contact the financial aid office to determine if exit counseling is required.
  • Cancel student health insurance if enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan.
Request Your Diploma

Grand View University Diplomas

A diploma is awarded by Grand View University upon successful completion of a program of study. This document is suitable for framing. It is not considered an official document.

Commencement is a ceremony to celebrate our graduates and candidates for graduation. Graduation is the process of reviewing a student’s record to ensure all requirements are completed and adding the degree to the student’s transcript. Students petition to graduate one year prior to their anticipated graduation date after mapping out their course plans with their academic advisors (students can find the required forms on myGVU). Degrees are added to students’ records when all requirements are met, and emails and letters are sent if any requirements are unmet. We also email whether any requirements that will prohibit the release of the diploma are unmet.

Diplomas are ordered through a vendor several times each year. Students do not receive their actual diploma on the day of commencement; rather, they will receive a diploma cover that is empty inside. Once all requirements have been met, Grand View mails a diploma and an unofficial transcript to an address supplied by the student.

Submit a Request for a Duplicate/Replacement diploma.

Directions & Parking

Please direct your guests to enter through main, north door. Concession stands will also be open for guests to purchase food and beverages. Both during and after the ceremony, there will not be access to the main floor for photos. A professional photographer will be taking photos of all graduates as they cross the stage and after they receive their diploma. We ask that all guests exit through the north doors for photos and to please avoid congregating in groups.

View Commencement Parking Map

Grand View Students Graduating