Commencement
Congratulations to all Spring 2026 graduates!
Please continue to monitor your NEIU email address for Commencement-related information delivered through Constant Contact or from commencement@neiu.edu.
Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremony
2:00 p.m. Friday, May 15, 2026
Credit Union 1 Arena
525 S. Racine Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60607
Caps and Gowns
Caps and gowns are required to participate in the ceremony. The deadline to order caps and gowns is Friday, April 3 , 2025. This is a hard deadline from Jostens, Northeastern’s official cap and gown manufacturer, to ensure students receive their orders before the ceremony. All orders placed online will be mailed directly to the address provided with the order, not to Northeastern.
Order your cap and gown today!
All inquiries regarding cap and gown orders should be directed to Jostens at (800) 854-7464 or via their customer service help center.
Please note: Commencement is a formal event. Caps and gowns are required to participate. In keeping with the formal nature of academic regalia, robes and hoods must be fully visible; caps may be decorated; and graduates may wear stoles, chords or medallions signifying academic honors, University clubs/organizations and veteran status with their regalia.
Tickets / Commencement Resource Fair
Each student will be able to pick up their eight (8) tickets during the Commencement Resource Fair being held on the Main Campus in Alumni Hall from 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 2026, and 3:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026. There will not be a waiting list. No exceptions will be made. It is strongly suggested you attend the Commencement Resource Fair.
Any lost or stolen guest tickets will not be replaced. Children under 2 years of age will not require a ticket.
Academic Honors
The Academic Honors Ceremony will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, May 11, 2026 on the Main Campus in the Auditorium. Invitations will be sent via email to students who are eligible.
Master's Hooding Ceremony
The Master's Hooding Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in the Main Campus in the Auditorium:
Goodwin College of Education - 5:30 p.m.
College of Arts & Science and College of Business & Technology - 7:30 p.m.
Day of Commencement
Graduates should begin arriving at the Credit Union 1 Arena between noon-1:30 p.m. checking in at Gate 2 right off Harrison Street. There you will receive your Name Card and be directed to your seating section in the arena. Be sure to hold on to your Name Card at all times, as you will give that card to the name reader as you cross the stage
Please plan your travel times accordingly and allow enough time for traffic and parking.
Graduates should arrive no later than 1:30 p.m. to check in and be seated for the 2:00 p.m. ceremony.
Guests
All ticketed guests will enter the Credit Union 1 Arena at Gate 3 (corner of Racine and Harrison).
Doors open to guests at 1:00 p.m.
Guests will not be required to show proof of vaccination status.
Seating is general admission with no assigned seats. We ask that all guests please be respectful of one another's personal space and allow for social distancing between families when possible.
Credit Union 1 staff will be available for guests needing mobility assistance or wheelchair seating.
Seating for deaf and hearing impaired will be available in Section 103.
No balloons, confetti, noisemakers or strollers will be allowed in the Arena.
Questions
Questions about Commencement can be directed to the Student Union office at (773) 442-4630 or commencement@neiu.edu.
Northeastern Illinois University Commencement FAQs
Students are eligible to participate in Commencement if they have applied for graduation in December, May or August of the current academic year. Academic year is defined as Fall, Spring and Summer.
Please see the “Applying for Graduation” webpage which details the steps undergraduate and graduate students must take in order to apply for graduation.
Graduation applicants that wish to participate in the Commencement ceremony are assessed a $50 graduation application fee. This fee goes towards offsetting the costs of the Commencement ceremony, as well as the additional staffing costs associated with processing graduation applications. Questions can be directed to studentpaymentservices@neiu.edu.
Caps and gowns are required to participate in the Commencement ceremony. The deadline to order caps and gowns is communicated regularly to graduate applicants and is available on the NEIU Commencement website. Deadlines listed are hard deadlines from Jostens, Northeastern’s official cap and gown manufacturer, to ensure students receive their orders before the ceremony. All orders placed online will be mailed directly to the address provided with the order, not to Northeastern.
The Commencement Resource Fair (new name TBA!) is held approximately two months prior to Commencement. All registered graduates will receive email notifications throughout the semester regarding the event. This is the main location and event for graduates to pick up their tickets and get a chance to visit with various graduate resources.
Attend the Commencement Resource Fair to:
- Pick up your guest tickets and parking pass
- Order your cap and gown, class ring and/or other mementos from Jostens
- Learn about the benefits and services offered by the NEIU Alumni Association
- Meet with Career Development about job opportunities
- Win raffle prizes and other alumni swag
- Mingle with fellow graduates
- Sit for a free professional headshot for your resume or online profiles
- Sit for a free* graduation portrait with a professional photographer from GradImages, courtesy of the NEIU Alumni Association and GradImages.
- Students can receive a free* photo by choosing from any Commencement or posed photo taken of them at the Commencement Resource Fair.
- To receive the free* photo, students must provide the photographer with their contact information. *Shipping and handling fees apply.
- Limit one per person.
Northeastern Illinois University’s Commencement will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026 at Credit Union One Arena, 525 S. Racine Ave., Chicago, Illinois 60607. The ceremony will begin promptly at 2 p.m. Doors open to graduates at noon. Doors open at 1 p.m. for guests. Tickets are required.
Due to venue capacity, each student will receive eight (8) tickets and one (1) parking pass. (No exceptions.)
Students who are looking for more guest tickets are encouraged to inquire with classmates and peers that may have extras.
Students are encouraged to bring as few personal items as possible (or none at all), as there is no secured storage in the arena. Students will remain seated on the floor of the arena throughout most of the event.
All arena guests are subject to the policies and regulations of Credit Union 1 Arena. Please refer to the Credit Union 1 Arena Visitors Guide for a list of restricted items and policies.
All arena guests including staff and graduates are subject to security screenings upon entering the arena.
Students will receive one complimentary parking pass with their Commencement tickets. The parking pass is valid at UIC Lot 1B, 1139 W. Harrison St., located directly across the street from the venue. Paid parking is available in several parking lots surrounding the arena.
Upon graduation, you will officially be part of the 90,000+ Northeastern Illinois University alumni community! You will receive a two-year complimentary Blue & Gold Membership with the Northeastern Illinois University Alumni Association (NEIUAA). Your NEIUAA membership allows you to continue using the NEIU Libraries and includes a discount to Campus Recreation membership. More information can be found on the NEIU Alumni Association webpage.
Students will be emailed at their NEIU emails when diplomas are ready.
- Diplomas will be available late July for students graduating in May.
- Diplomas will be available late October for students graduating in August.
- Diplomas will be available late February for students graduating in December.
Yes! Northeastern Illinois University’s Commencement will be livestreamed on neiu.edu/commencement.
Graduates who are eligible for Academic Honors, and students receiving Master’s degrees, will receive email invitations to the associated ceremonies, held on the Main Campus.
Questions about eligibility should be directed to the College of Graduate Studies and Research or Registrar’s Office directly.
Academic Honors medals, hoods and other specialty regalia are made available at the associated ceremonies recognizing these achievements. Students will receive email communications if applicable.
Eligible students who are unable to attend the Honors ceremony may pick up their medal in the Student Union office (SU 204) during regular office hours, after the ceremony date.
Master’s hoods are purchased as part of the graduation regalia.
Any student participating in Commencement, Academic Honors Ceremony or Master’s Hooding Ceremony that is in need of accommodations may contact the Student Union office at (773) 442-4630 to speak directly with event organizers for individual needs. Students may also contact Student Disability Services at (773) 442-4595 to assist in ceremony arrangements.
More information about accommodations and accessibility at the ceremony venue can be found on the Credit Union 1 Arena website.
Ticketed guest accommodations are provided by venue staff. Guests should contact arena staff directly with questions.
NEIU Student Union, Events and Conference Services
Main Campus, Student Union, SU 204
5500 N. St. Louis Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
Phone: (773) 442-4630
Email: suecs@neiu.edu or commencement@neiu.edu
Website: neiu.edu/commencement
Northeastern Illinois University
Office of Enrollment Services, Room D 101
5500 N. St. Louis Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
Phone: (773) 442-4060
Email:
- Undergraduate students: gradeval@neiu.edu
- Graduate students: graduate-records@neiu.edu
Website: neiu.edu/academics/registrar-services/applying-graduation