2023 Event FAQs
- What is the difference between graduation and commencement?
- Graduation: when a degree is officially conferred by the Registrar. We confer degrees throughout the year, not just at the end of a term. Students must meet specific academic criteria and complete an FNU Application for Graduation form to have their degree conferred. (see Departments>Registrar>Graduation for details)
- Commencement: the annual ceremony (held typically in September) when eligible students are recognized and celebrated for their academic achievements.
- When exactly do I qualify to participate in Commencement?
- Any FNU graduate whose degree was officially conferred since the previous year's Commencement is invited to participate. Current FNU students whose degree has not yet been officially conferred must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- DNP students - Have an A, B, I or IP in all required DNP courses.
- MSN & PGC students - Have an A or B in MH/NM/NP/WH 715 posted to the transcript; AND have an A, B, or IP grade in MH/NM/NP/WH 716; AND have an A, B, or I grade in MH/NM/NP/WH 717; AND have an A, B, or I grade in PC713 by the date of commencement.
- Students earning multiple degrees from FNU may choose to participate in the Commencement ceremony after each degree or wait and participate once after all degrees are earned.
- Any FNU graduate whose degree was officially conferred since the previous year's Commencement is invited to participate. Current FNU students whose degree has not yet been officially conferred must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- When and where can I register to attend Commencement?
In late July, eligible students should receive an email (check your FNU inbox) with an RSVP link. If you do not receive that email, please check your spam folder and then contact us: Commencement@frontier.edu. NOTE: once you receive the RSVP link, you will only have approx. 3 weeks to respond. RSVP will be due by Aug 18, 2023.
- Is there a limit on how many guests can attend per graduate?
No - the venue is quite large and offers ample seating. Please invite your family and friends to join you that day!
- I'm ordering regalia from Jostens - which "major/curriculum" do I choose from their dropdown menu?
- Nursing - this is standard for all FNU students regardless of degree or specialty. For DNP students purchasing Fine Quality regalia, please select the following detailing: "Nursing (apricot)" for Hood Velvet Band Color; Black or Royal Blue for Velvet on Gown; Black, gold metallic or Nursing/apricot for Accent Piping; Black for Tam; and Gold for Bullion.
- I am a member of the STTI - Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Where can I purchase an honor cord? And will my member status be listed in the ceremony event program?
STTI honor cords can be purchased individually at https://www.sigmamarketplace.org/honor-cord. Graduates who are members of the Chi Pi local chapter will be mentioned in the event program. Because we do not have access to STTI's global membership records, we cannot list membership other than those enrolled in the local chapter.
- What if I am an honors graduate based on my GPA?
FNU does not use the honors distinction based on GPA because our programs are so rigorous that all FNU graduates are, essentially, honors graduates. If you're an inducted member of STTI - Sigma Theta Tau International honor society for nurses, you may wear that honor cord. We have a local chapter - Chi Pi - but students also come to us having already established memberships elsewhere. Any member of STTI and/or the Chi Pi local chapter is eligible for their honor cord, which can be purchased on their website: https://www.sigmamarketplace.org/honor-cord.
