Commencement FAQs

Our ceremonies typically last 2 - 2.5 hours.

No, at this time, our only formal Commencement ceremonies are held each Spring.

Southern New Hampshire University's Commencement ceremonies are available to view via a live web stream on the SNHU website during the ceremonies.

There is no practice prior to the ceremony. Once graduates arrive at the SNHU Arena, staff will provide instructions.

The SNHU bus diploma delivery tour was a fun way we connected with our online learners and graduates around the country a few years ago. We still share those stories proudly so you will see them on TV from time to time. Unfortunately, the SNHU bus is not on the road now.

All information regarding Commencement is sent to eligible graduates’ SNHU emails.

This is a required first step in the conferral process. The petition for conferral is the learner’s request to the Registrar’s Office to begin the audit process as the learners approach the end of their degree programs. You must submit a Petition to receive your diploma and you must submit your petition by March 15 to be considered for eligibility to participate in an upcoming Spring Commencement ceremony.

For questions regarding the Petition process, please contact the Registrar’s Office.

The deadline to submit your Petition for Conferral to participate in the May 2020 ceremony is March 15th, 2020.

If you’ve missed the deadline, please be sure you still petition so the process to confer your degree is completed. Once the Registrar approves your eligibility, you will automatically be added to receive information about the next available ceremony.

The deadline to Register, reserve guest tickets, and order regalia is April 10, 2020.

If you missed the registration date, please contact the Commencement team at commencement@snhu.edu. If there is available space remaining, we may be able to assist you.

Diplomas are not distributed at the Commencement Ceremony, only diploma covers.

As long as graduates have completed their coursework, are in good academic standing, do not have any outstanding financial obligations, and have completed the Financial Aid exit counseling, their diploma will be mailed to the address they provided on their Petition for Conferral form approximately 10 business days after their conferral date. Conferrals occur once a month.

To learn more about our Latin and Ceremonial Honors policy, visit our Graduates page.

Yes. Any eligible cords are distributed when you check in with the Registrar at the Arena on the day of Commencement. You can ask them to refresh your academic record to have the most current honors status reflected when your name is read during the ceremony.

You may also be eligible to attend Honors Ceremonies and Academic Award ceremonies. These events are coordinated by the different schools/academic units. Please contact academicawards@snhu.edu for more information about those events.

Commencement Speaker applications open beginning in January by invitation-only to eligible graduates. Please check your SNHU email to see if you are eligible to apply.

Eligible undergraduates must have a 3.5 GPA or higher. Eligible graduates must have a 3.8 GPA or higher. Degree conferral date must be between September 1 and the term that ends closest to Commencement Weekend.

A committee made up of SNHU staff and faculty review the applications and based on a scoring rubric, select 10-20 finalists to submit recorded draft Commencement speeches. That same committee views the speeches and selects a speaker for each Commencement ceremony.

The call for National Anthem singer auditions is February 3rd, the deadline to enter is February 28th. Please check your SNHU email and SNHU social media accounts for more information.

Yes. Once their Petition for Conferral is approved, all graduates will need to reserve tickets for their guests.

Children under the age of 3 will not be included in your guest count. You may also reserve tickets for underclassmen, faculty or staff, if you’d like.

The deadline for guest ticket reservations is April 10th. If you’d like to make changes to your guest information, please do so before May 6. If you request more tickets than allotted, you will be placed on a waitlist and if additional seats are available, you will be notified.

Yes. Review these instructions to learn how to receive a letter for international guests.

Please visit http://www.snhuarena.com/arenainfo/directions_parking/ for directions to the arena.

Information regarding parking and directions are located at the City of Manchester website.

The City of Manchester has 3,500 metered parking spaces in the downtown area. Most of the meters are Pay & Display parking kiosks. The center of downtown has a 2-hour parking limit and parking is $.75 per hour on Saturdays - 10am-8pm on Elm St. between Granite and Bridge. After 5pm you can park at any meter for any length of time as long as you pay to park.

Parking in downtown Manchester is at your own discretion. Please note: Parking at local businesses, including Market Basket, is not advised. Your vehicle will likely be towed.

Graduates must enter through the lower lot of SNHU Arena, (access from Cedar Street gate area or Auburn Street side) and proceed down into the loading dock area. Please arrive one hour before the start of the Commencement Ceremony. Guests should check with the graduate regarding the ceremony time. Guests should enter the Arena through the front doors of the SNHU Arena, located at 555 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03101.

Graduates should use the following form to coordinate with our Accessibility team for their ceremony: http://bit.ly/snhuaccessrequestform. Guests cannot pre-register for accommodations but there will be Accessibility staff members to assist at the entrances of the Arena.

Yes. Elevators are located to the right in the front lobby of the SNHU Arena.

Backpacks, large bags, weapons of any type are not allowed in the Arena. Diaper bags will be subject to search by Arena Security. Strollers are not permitted in the seating area of the Arena and will be asked to be stored in designated areas in the concourse/walkway.

No, but please note that Concession stands will be open during the ceremony.