APRIL 24-25, 2026
Commencement Weekend in New York
Alumni Celebration*
Friday, April 24, 2026
6:00 - 9:00 pm
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111th St, Corona, NY 11368
Commencement*
Saturday, April 25, 2026
Morning Ceremony
Graduate Check-in: 8:30 am
Ceremony start: 9:30 am
Afternoon Ceremony
Graduate Check-in: 12:30 pm
Ceremony start: 1:30 pm
UBS Arena
2400 Hempstead Turnpike
Elmont NY, 11003
*Details Subject to Change
Have questions? Ask Cappy!
Text "Hi" to1-866-670-0697 or scan the QR code below:
RSVP Information & Update
March19, 2026 Update -
We’re excited to report such strong interest in attending the WGU Commencement in New York.
The Afternoon Ceremony (1:30 PM) has reached maximum capacity and is now closed. A waitlist will not be offered at this time.
The Morning Ceremony (9:30 AM) remains open, and graduates who have not yet registered are encouraged to secure their spot as soon as possible.
Additionally, as 2026 continues, we’ll open general RSVP registration for the remaining/future locations.
We look forward to celebrating with you.
March 26, 2026 Update -
RSVP Closed
Additional Information
New York Deadlines:
- RSVP
Deadline: Closed - Graduate Speaker Application
Deadline: Closed - Anthem Singer Audition
Deadline: Closed
- Cap & Gown Ordering
Deadline: Closed
New York Details:
- Commencement Guidebook- coming soon!
- Ceremony Program - coming soon!
Learn More About Commencement Day
Watch this video to see what a typical in-person commencement day looks like for a graduate.
Parking
Details Coming Soon
Bag Policy
Details Coming Soon
Hotel Discounts
Fairfield Inn New York LaGuardia Airport/Flushing
28-66 College Point Blvd. Flushing NY 11354
Room rate: $199/ night
Must book by: 04,02, 2026
Nights rate is valid:04/23/2026 - 04/25/2026
How to guarantee your room: Book with the link below and provide a credit card to guarantee the room.
Cancellation: Individual cancellation may occur up to 48 hours before arrival date, otherwise the 1st night’s room + tax will be charged.
Link to book reservations:
*Subject to availability, limited quantity available.
Courtyard New York JFk Airport
145-11 North Conduit Ave, Jamaica, NY 11436
Room rate: $219 a night for King / $209 a night for 2 double
Must book by: 03,24, 2026
Nights rate is valid:04/23/2026 - 04/25/2026
How to guarantee your room: Book with the link below and provide a credit card to guarantee the room.
Cancellation: Individual cancellation may occur up to 48 hours before arrival date, otherwise the 1st night’s room + tax will be charged.
Link to book reservations:
*Subject to availability, limited quantity available.
Fairfield by Marriott Fresh Meadows
183-31 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365
Room rate: $219 a night for King / $229 a night for 2 Double
Must book by: 03,02, 2026
Nights rate is valid:04/23/2026 - 04/25/2026
How to guarantee your room: Book with the link below and provide a credit card to guarantee the room.
Cancellation: Individual cancellation may occur up to 48 hours before arrival date, otherwise the 1st night’s room + tax will be charged.
Link to book reservations:
*Subject to availability, limited quantity available.
Courtyard by Marriott Fresh Meadows
183-31 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365
Room rate: $229/ nightfor Kingand $244/nightfor 2 Queen
Must book by:03,02, 2026
Nights rate is valid: 04/23/2026 - 04/25/2026
How to guarantee your room: Book with the link below and provide a credit card to guarantee the room.
Cancellation: Individual cancellation may occur up to 48 hours before arrival date, otherwise the 1stnight’s room + tax will be charged.
Link to book reservations:
*Subject to availability, limited quantity available.
Alumni Celebration in New York
Kick off your commencement weekend with this exclusive alumni celebration in honor of our graduates!
All graduates attending the 2026 WGU Commencement in New York are invited to join us for the Alumni Celebration at the New York Hall of Science!
This family-friendly, come-and-go event is free to attend, and we encourage graduates and guests to dress in business attire.
At the celebration, you can:
- Free professional portraits(graduates only): Elevate your LinkedIn profile with a free professional portrait- courtesy of WGU!
- Meet with local employers for career opportunities.
- Reconnect with Alumni in your area.
- Visit our affiliated partnership booths to receive career advice, purchase WGU swag, pick up your WGU Philanthropy Cord, and more.
- Take photos in our social photo booth and share using #WGUgrad.
- Meet Sage the Night Owl
- Enjoy light appetizers, refreshments, and self-pay bars.
- Hit the dance floor or play family-friendly games with a fun WGU twist.
Come for the networking, stay for the fun.
*Please note: 2026 New York graduates are allowed to bring up to six (6) total guests.
Date:April 24, 2026
Time:6:00 - 9:00 pm
Location:
New York Hall of Science
47-01 111th St, Corona, NY 11368
Contact Information
91Ƭ Alumni Celebration contact:alumnievents@wgu.edu .
91Ƭ Alumni Celebration accessibility:alumnievents@wgu.edu
91Ƭ Commencement questions:commencement@wgu.edu
Parking Information
TBA
Frequently Asked Questions
- Commencement Ceremony FAQs
- Ceremony Participation and RSVP FAQs
- Regalia FAQs
- 91Ƭ Philanthropy Cord FAQs
- Letter of Invitation for Abroad & Commencement Announcements FAQs
- Graduation Application and Diploma FAQs
Commencement Ceremony FAQs
A commencement guidebook with check-in details, parking, maps, and more will be loaded onto the and emailed to each graduate two weeks prior to the ceremony.
When registering for a commencement weekend, a graduate may choose the ceremony time that fitstheir needs bestas long asthe event has not reached capacity.All options can be seen at the event-specific registration link.
All schools willparticipatein each ceremony.
Due tovaryingspace limitations, Alumni Celebration and Commencement guest countpoliciesare different.Please refer to the specific guest count policy on the weekend-specific pagefor further information.
AlumniCelebration:
Guest capacitiesare implemented at alumni celebration events to accommodate as many graduates as possible while allowing everyone to enjoy the festivities with their loved ones.Guest capacities may be adjusted based on venue size and availability.
For the alumni celebrations in New Orleans, New York, Louisville, and Minneapolis graduates are invited to bring up to 6 guests.
For the alumni celebrations in Seattle, Atlanta, andAnaheim,graduatesare invited to bring up to 4 guests.
Commencement:Guests are recommended to bring up to 8 guests to ensure our eventdoesn’treach venuecapacity.
Tickets are notrequiredto enter thecommencementceremonies in New Orleans, Louisville, Minneapolis, and Anaheim.
Tickets will berequiredforthecommencement ceremoniesinElmont, New York at UBS Arena,Atlanta, Georgia at Gas South Arenaand in Seattle, Washington at Climate Pledge Arena.Event-specific ticketing information will be provided8 weeksprior to the event.
The names of graduates who physically attend an in-person commencement will be read as they cross the stage. All Virtual Commencement participants’ names will be read during the Virtual ceremony.
No. Graduates are called to the stage by schools and not in alphabetical order.
Please arrive dressed in your cap and gown for the commencement ceremony. Due to the number of graduates andpreciseschedule, it is not practical to change into regalia at the venue.
*This may be adjusted according to venue requirements.Additionalinformation will be included in the Commencement Guidebookand on the event-specific website.
You can watch the commencement ceremony on the at any point after the start of the ceremony.
The commencement photos will be available approximately 2-3 weeks after the ceremony. Those photos will be available for viewing at
Did you know that WGU Alumni have access to hundreds of discounts? Log in to to search for deals on flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.
Ceremony Participation and 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.
Generally,commencementceremonieslastapproximately90 minutes.
Yes,ceremonies have capacitylimits. Wesuggest that yousubmitan RSVP to your desired ceremony as soon as you are eligible.
Please review the located in the student handbook, which outlines student eligibility to attend commencement. If you have additional questions, you can contact the Commencement Office at commencement@wgu.edu.
Graduates who wish to participate in an in-person or virtual commencement ceremony must meet eligibility requirements and register for their desired event.
Eligibility Guidelines
- Students must have submitted their Graduation Application for the completion of their degree program OR
- Students must have only their final course remaining, such as capstone or final certification, with the exception of direct hours for field experience or demonstration teaching.
- Students who meet the above final course requirements may submit an email tocommencement@wgu.edu with "Final Course" in the subject line along with desired commencement ceremony.
- Once eligibility has been confirmed the student or graduate MUST submit an RSVP via the commencement .
If you don’t currently meet either of these requirements, wait to RSVP until one of the requirements is met.
No, the graduation application process is separate from submitting a RSVP to a Commencement Weekend. If the Commencement Office has granted a final course exemption and you have RSVP’d to your desired ceremony 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 yourinformation on aname readingcardforthe announcer.
After a graduate submits the ceremony RSVP form, a confirmation email is automatically 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 bepermitted.Registration for allin-personcommencement events ends one month prior to the event date, and registration for virtual ceremonies ends
No. As of January 2022, a graduate may participate in one ceremony per degree, either a virtual or in-person ceremony.
AStagePassisa digital QR codeissued to each graduate registered for an in-personceremonythe week of commencement.Itcontainsthe information that willbe displayedon the screen as your name isread,and you cross the stage.To access theirStagePassat the ceremony, graduates will need their phone with them at graduate check-in and as they cross the stage.
YourStagePasswill be emailed to youon Monday andFriday,the week ofthecommencementweekend.If you do not receive it, please contact the Commencement Office atcommencement@wgu.eduwith the subject line, “StagePassNot Received”.
We will send commencement updates to the email address you entered on your RSVP form.
Regalia FAQs
91Ƭ works withofficial regalia vendorBalfour(caps, gowns, tassels, hoods,stoles). Ordering willopen at the end of 2025for all 2026ceremonies.Regalia ordering can be found.
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.
Clickto see a tutorial on how to wear your cap & gown the day of commencement.
The following master’s hoods are available for purchasefromour regalia vendorBalfour.
Education -Blue
Business (all MBAs) -Drab
Technology -Gold
Nursing –Apricot
Integrated Healthcare Management -Salmon
Master of Health Leadership -Sage green
91Ƭ works withofficialcommencementgoods vendorBalfourforadditionalcommencement goods and announcements. Visit them at https://www.balfour.com/wgu to see theirselection.
Prior to the conferral of degrees, bachelor's degree graduates weartheirtassel on the right while master's degree graduates wear their tassel on the left for the entire commencement ceremony.
A graduate should wear academic attireappropriate tothe awarded degree. The master's gown differs from a bachelor's gown. If you already have a cap and tassel, you can order amaster'sgown as an individual item onour commencement vendor’s website.Please note that the academic attire for a master's graduate includes a cap, tassel, master's gown, and hood.
Yes, WGU graduates affiliated with an honor society may wear society pins or honor cords/sashes/stoles torepresenttheir academic achievements, affiliations, or identityon their gowns.
Teacher graduates affiliated with the WGU chapter of theinternational honor societyof Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) may order honor cords at.
Graduates who are members of The National Society of Leadership andSuccessmay wear honor cordsindicatingthis affiliation.
91Ƭ 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 atthe Alumni Celebration or at Commencementduringgraduate check-in. On your RSVP form, please mark that you are a veteran or active duty.
Graduates arepermittedto decorate theirgraduationcaps. Take into consideration the following if decorating your cap for commencement:
91Ƭ 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.
91Ƭ Philanthropy Cord FAQs
The WGU Philanthropy Cord is a blue and gold cord for graduates to wear with their cap and gownatCommencement. ThePhilanthropyCord isaphysical symbol of a graduate’s commitment to WGU,and,more importantly,supports aphilanthropiclegacy that will last for future generations of WGUstudents.
Graduates can receive aPhilanthropyCord by making a gift of $25 or more to WGU’s Fellow Night Owl Scholarship, a fundestablishedto help current WGU students facing financial hardship cross the finish line to graduation. To donate, graduates can text “WGUCord” to 41-444 or
All WGU Philanthropy Cord donations support WGU’s Fellow Night Owl Scholarship, a fundestablishedto help current WGU students facing financial hardship cross the finish line to graduation.
For in-person commencements,you may choose to have yourPhilanthropyCordmailed to you orpickedupat Commencementby visiting the WGU Advancement table at the Alumni Celebration or during graduate check-in beforeCommencement.
For virtual commencements,PhilanthropyCords will be mailed prior to the ceremony date.
91Ƭ Advancementis dedicatedtoattracting,allocating, and putting dollars toworkso more students have access to an affordable, quality education.Weprovidea meaningful way for alumni, donors, and partnersto “pay it forward” and invest in the future of education.
Letter of Invitation for Abroad & Commencement Announcements FAQs
Yes, students may send an email torecords@wgu.eduwith the family member's full name, relationship to the student, and foreign address. Once provided, the Records Department will prepare documentscontaininginformation about the commencement and student's earned degree. These prepared letters will then be sent to the student toforwardthem to the correct parties. It may take 5-10 business days for the letters to be mailed to the student.
91Ƭ works withofficialannouncements andcommencementgoodsvendorBalfour. Ordering will open at the end of 2025for all 2026ceremonies.
Announcements can be foundonBalfour
Graduation Application and Diploma FAQs
Visit thein the student handbook for the most current information on how to apply for graduation.
Visit the in the student handbook for the most current information on how to receive your diploma.
No, please leave your diploma at home.You will receive a complimentary diploma cover at the end of the commencement ceremony.
