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Northwestern University

Graduation Preparation

Prepare to graduate

Everyone who receives a bachelor's degree from Weinberg College must first submit a Graduation Petition to the Northwestern Registrar's Office. The timing of the submission depends on whether you will be graduating before or after four full years.

graduation

Petition process

Find instructions for submitting your graduation petition to the Northwestern Registrar's Office.

Petition to Graduate

College and university ceremonies

Graduation from Northwestern involves several events.

  • Commencement is the main graduation ceremony attended by undergraduates and graduate students from all the schools on Northwestern's Evanston campus. It is where degrees are officially conferred. Commencement typically takes place at Ryan Field. 
  • Convocation is Weinberg College's own graduation ceremony, in which each individual student graduating from the College is recognized by name. Weinberg College Convocation typically takes place the day after Commencement.
  • Baccalaureate is an interdenominational religious ceremony coordinated by the University Chaplain. It takes place in Alice Millar Chapel.
  • Many departments sponsor celebrations for graduating students and their families, and other social events take place as well.

Questions?  Visit the Commencement website, updated each spring, or contact the Office of Special Events at (847) 491-3600. 

Academic honors:

Explore careers

Student in class

Weinberg and Northwestern offer many resources to help you explore career options and prepare to enter careers you find appealing.

These include Northwestern Career Advancement office and the Waldron Student-Alumni Connections Program.

More Career Exploration