Graduation and Commencement Ceremony

You've tracked your progress in your UAOnline DegreeWorks, and nearly completed all the requirements for your degree. You're ready to apply to graduate. You can apply now for graduation and don't need to wait until your last class is done.

For issues with courses or degree programs not showing in DegreeWorks as expected, see Degree Progress.

Apply to Graduate

To be eligible for graduation at the end of a given semester, a student must be formally admitted to the degree or certificate program and submit an application for graduation through UAOnline.

• Apply to graduate through your UAOnline account.
• Graduation application deadlines are in Registration Dates and Deadlines calendars.
• Catalog policy on Graduation governs this process.
• Students with a directory hold on their account will be removed from the commencement ceremony program prior to printing and will not be included in any other commencement-related publications.

• Step-by-Step Directions to Apply to Graduate
  1. Login to UAOnline.
  2. Under Additional Links on your Student Profile, select UAA Application to Graduate 
  3. Under Curriculum Selection, choose either the CURRENT curriculum term or the FUTURE term in which you plan to graduate.
  4. Select the program you are ready to graduate from, then click Continue.
  5. Under Graduation Term Selection, select the semester you wish to graduate in from the dropdown menu, then click Continue.
  6. Under Diploma Name Selection, choose how you would like your name to appear on the commencement program and/or your diploma. 
     • To use your standard name (first name, middle initial, last name), select Current Name.
     • To request an alternative version of your name, select New and enter the desired name, Requests for alternate versions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 
  7. Under Graduation Application Summary, review your information carefully, then click Submit Request.
  8. You will receive a degree audit email from Degree Services (uaa.degrees@alaska.edu) within 3-5 business days. 

  You can view existing graduation applications anytime in your Student Profile under Graduation Information in UAOnline. 

  See the university catalog for information and policies related to your application for graduation.

• Diploma

  Diplomas are eligible for pick up or can be mailed by request at this time. We will contact you via your phone number on file to let you know when your diploma is printed and ready for pick up. Please make sure to update your phone number and address in your uaonline account. 
  

  Students must satisfy all unpaid student account balances before their diploma will be released.

  The name on your diploma will be the official name on file with the University at the time of printing. Diplomas are printed with first name, middle initial, last name. UAA will print full middle and maiden names upon request. Requests to print alternate versions of first names will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

  At the end of one year, any unclaimed/returned diplomas will be shredded. If you believe that your diploma has been shredded, please contact uaa_mscinfo@alaska.edu for further instruction.

• Replacement Diploma

  Graduates wishing to order a replacement diploma for a change of name must submit a Change of Personal Information along with documentation.

  A Change Form is typically processed within seven business days.  An Application for Replacement Diploma will be processed within five business days or after the Change Form has been processed, if applicable.
  
  All replacement diplomas will be printed with current University President, Chancellor, and Chair of the Board of Regents signatures and will have the words, "Replacement Diploma issued (date)" printed under the university seal.

  Application for Replacement Diploma

   

Graduate with Honors

To be eligible to graduate with honors, associate degree-seeking student must earn a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.50. Read more about graduating with honors in the UAA catalog. 

Commencement Ceremony

Congratulations on your accomplishment! Years of hard work and dedication culminate in this timeless academic tradition and celebration of student success. Mat-Su College faculty and staff extend their heart felt congratulations to all of our graduating students. This years ceremony will be held on May 8, 2026 at 7:30 pm, at The Glenn Massay Theater.
The ceremony will be live streamed at: https://youtube.com/live/LG9JuPv3Zeo?feature=share 

Pre-commencement Information:

• Reserve your cap and gown

  Our caps and gowns were purchased by the Mat-Su College Student Government Council and are available for your use free of charge. Please go to the Campus Cache during their normal business hours and reserve a gown in your size. Monday - Friday 8:30 am-5 pm.  Note: If you wish to purchase a cap and gown, you can order online through the UAA Seawolf Store or call 907-786-1194.

• RSVP for the ceremony

  Please let us know if you will be attending the ceremony and how many will be in your party. This will help the committee plan this timeless event.

• Honors Cords
  Graduates who are receiving honor cords will receive an email with instructions on picking up their cords before commencement in Student Services office. 
• Military and Veteran Cords
  Military service members and veteran graduates can pick up a red, white, and blue graduation cord from Student Services. 
• Commencement Ceremony

  Commencement at the Glenn Massay Theater

  • Rehearsal - 1 pm to 2 pm
  • Break - 2 pm to 6 pm
  • Commencement
    • Graduates must arrive for check-in by 6:00 p.m.
    • Group photograph, compliments of Mat-Su College, taken at 6:30 p.m. (SHARP)
    • A complimentary individual graduation photo will be provided by Student Government, and is taken before the ceremony
    • You may order additional prints through Ambience Photography at https://bit.ly/GradPhotos24 
    • Graduate processional line-up at 7:15 p.m.
    • Commencement ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m.
• Diplomas and Photos

  Graduates will receive a group photograph, compliments of Mat-Su College. A complimentary individual graduation photo will be provided by Student Government. 

  Online Gallery of Photos: https://www.ambienceak.net/Customer-Galleries/Events/Mat-Su-College-Graduation-2026 

  We will contact you when your diploma and/or photos(s) are ready for pick up. This will be sometime in early summer.

Leadership and Recognition

Student Commencement Speaker

 Leadership Honors

To Applicant: Give the link above to any Mat-Su College faculty or staff who know you well and can speak directly and specifically about your Mat-Su College campus leadership experience, ability and potential. Please allow adequate time for the person providing a recommendation to complete this form before the application deadline.

To the Recommender:  Students may apply for Student Leadership Honors to be awarded upon graduation. If a student has asked you for a recommendation letter, please describe the student’s strengths with regard to academic achievement, campus leadership, and/or character. Support your statements with reference to your personal academic/campus experiences with the student. Please feel free to attach additional pages if necessary.

 *Printed application packets are also available in the Student Services office.

2025/2026 Mat-Su College Graduates

Associate of Arts (AA)

Associate of Science (AS)

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Occupational Endorsement Certificate  (OEC)

Graduate from UAA, UAF or UAS

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I walk at Commencement in May?

  Students who complete certificate or degree requirements in the summer, fall or spring semesters are invited to participate in commencement ceremony in May. 

• What is the 'final date' for turning things in and still graduating?

  All paperwork, petitions, test scores, grades, etc., must be received by the Registrar's Office by the final grade submission deadline. This date is generally three (3) business days after the last day of the semester. Specific dates are available on the Dates and Deadlines page. Degree Services begins reviewing students’ audits for completion the day after the final grading deadline. If a student's paperwork is not submitted or complete when their degree is audited, their degree will not be awarded. These students will receive email correspondence at their preferred email address with information about their degree status.

• I know I'm not going to graduate. What should I do?

  Email uaa_mscinfo@alaska.edu from your preferred or student email account and request your application be moved to a future semester within one academic year of your original application. Include your student ID number, degree, and the semester to which you would like your application to be moved. This must be done before the final class day of the semester for which you applied to graduate. This is a one-time courtesy move.

• My advisor/instructor told me another class would count for that requirement

  In order for students to graduate from Mat-Su College, they must complete all university, general education and major requirements as published in the university catalog. If an advisor or instructor tells a student that a particular course can satisfy a major requirement or that a major requirement may be waived, the student needs to work with their advisor to ensure academic petitions are submitted to the Registrar’s Office. Students should access their DegreeWorks audit (found in UAOnline, Student Services & Account Information link) to verify that all of their requirements are complete and to track academic petitions. If a petition is not documented in DegreeWorks, it is possible the petition was never received and will therefore not be considered when Degree Services completes the final audit.

• Should I apply to graduate with an Occupational Endorsement Certificate?

  A student pursuing an Occupational Endorsement Certificate must apply for graduation to earn their OEC.

• Incomplete Grades

  Your degree cannot be awarded if you have an incomplete grade in a course required for your degree. Change of grade forms must be submitted to the Registrar's Office by the last day of the semester in which you intend to graduate.

• Transfer Credits

  If you will be using transfer credit to complete your degree requirements, you must have an official transcript from that institution sent to the Registrar's Office as soon as your grade is available. All transcripts must be received by the last day of the semester in which you intend to graduate.

• CLEP and DSST (DANTES) Test Scores

  If you will be using test scores to complete your degree requirements, we must receive official test scores before the last day of the semester in which you intend to graduate. See more on the transfer credit site.

• Degree Posted on Your Transcript

  Once all requirements have been verified as met, your degree will be posted to your record and immediately appear on your transcript. You can verify that your degree has been awarded by viewing your unofficial transcript in UAOnline.

If you have any questions, please email us at uaa_mscinfo@alaska.edu or call Student Services at 907-745-9746
Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm