Spring 2026 Commencement
Alaska Airlines Center, Sunday, May 3, 1 p.m. 

Know the Steps to Participate: 

1.  Apply for Graduation 

An application for graduation must be submitted prior to walking in the commencement ceremony. For application steps, visit Graduation & Degree Services. Remember these deadlines: 

• March 27, 2026 - Deadline to apply for spring graduation and be recognized in the commencement program. 
• April 24, 2026 - Deadline to apply for spring graduation and participate in the spring commencement ceremony. 

2.  RSVP for the Ceremony and Claim Guest Tickets

An RSVP is required for all participating graduates. The RSVP link on this page will open by the end of February. Graduates can claim up to six guest tickets when they RSVP. Graduates must claim all of their desired guest tickets when they RSVP as they will not be able to re-enter the system. Graduate RSVPs and the number of guest tickets claimed will be closely tracked. If additional options become available for guests, we will communicate that information to graduates as soon as possible. Tickets are not required for the Graduate Degree Hooding Ceremony. For more details about the ceremony, please read our How to Participate section. The deadline to RSVP is April 24.

3.  Purchase Regalia and Pick Up Claimed Guest Tickets 

Regalia and claimed guest tickets will first be available for pick up at the Seawolf Store during Winterfest Grad Fair (dates, times and special discounts to be posted), then afterward from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. Graduates must submit an RSVP and claim their guest tickets online before they can pick up their tickets in person. 

Cap, gown and tassel are required to participate in commencement. A hood is also required for master's and doctoral degree candidates participating in the hooding and commencement ceremonies. 

• Date TBA - Last day to purchase regalia online to receive by mail.
• May 3 - Last day to purchase regalia in person at the Seawolf Store kiosk (limited sizes available at the kiosk next to the AAC box office the day of commencement). 

Student Commencement Speaker 

Interested in being the undergraduate student commencement speaker? The application and deadline to apply will be posted soon.

Attend Spring Career Fair

Build professional relationships with employers, explore a variety of careers and secure a job or internship before graduating! Hosted by UAA Career Services, the STEM Career Fair will be on Tuesday, March 3 and the Business, Health and Liberal Arts Career Fair will be on Wednesday, March 4. Both events are from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Student Union. Advance registration is requested via Handshake. 

Viewing the Ceremony Online

The Commencement ceremony will be streamed on Facebook Live. The link and digital program will be added to this page. A Facebook login is not required to view the event. 

Sashes, Stoles and Cords

Stoles or sashes are distributed by affiliated clubs or departments (athletics hands out athletic graduate stoles, ROTC hands out the ROTC stoles, etc.). Military cords are handed out in the auxiliary gym the day of commencement. Institutional Honor Cords for Latin Honors are given to graduating students by the Registrar's Office during check-in/registration.

Cap Decorating

The Office of Alumni and Community Engagement will host a cap decorating event before commencement (date, time and location to be posted). They'll have free materials (stickers, paint, calligraphy pens and more), so bring your cap, hang out with other grads and make your mortarboard unforgettable!

Celebrate & Share Online

Congratulations, and we'll see you Sunday, May 3!

When you RSVP for commencement, you give UAA permission to take photographs or video of you at the event and to use the photographs or video in its print and internet publications and productions, including advertising, signage and promotional materials, and for commercial purposes.

At UAA, we proudly welcome and celebrate the personal customization of traditional academic regalia.  

A Message from the Registrar's Office Regarding Diplomas

Graduates, congratulations on your tremendous achievement! You'll be contacted by email in June with information about picking up your diploma. To ensure receipt of this information, please make sure your preferred email and mailing addresses are current in UAOnline.

As you wait for your diploma, here are two alternate ways to verify your degree:

1. Your transcript will show your degree information. You may access your unofficial transcript and order official transcripts in UAOnline: alaska.edu/uaonline.
2. The National Student Clearinghouse is the official verification service for employers to verify degrees: nationalstudentclearinghouse.org.

If you have questions, please contact the Registrar's Office at uaa.degrees@alaska.edu or 907-786-1480 (option 5).

Welcome from the Alumni Association

Congratulations Class of 2026! You have worked so hard and achieved so much. While this chapter of your amazing UAA story comes to a close, your next chapter as alumni begins. You will join the proud ranks of UAA alumni — a network of over 72,000 worldwide and growing. So, without further ado and in no particular order, check out the 10 things every new UAA grad should know to fully take advantage of your new status as UAA alumni. Welcome to Seawolf Nation.