Congratulations graduates! We are proud to celebrate UVA's School of Continuing and Professional Studies students who earned undergraduate and graduate degrees during the 2024-25 academic year.
This page offers information specific to the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Bachelor of Professional Studies in Health Sciences Management, and Master of Public Safety program graduates.
The Big Picture of the Weekend:
On Saturday, May 17:
SCPS hosts two receptions: one for undergraduate degree program graduates, and a second for master of public safety graduates.
On Sunday, May 18:
- First, all graduates attend Final Exercises on the UVA Lawn. This includes an academic procession of the graduates and faculty down the Lawn. The ceremony includes the conferral of degrees by school, greetings by University officials, and remarks by a keynote speaker.
- Then, graduates attend a school ceremony for their degree program, which takes place after Final Exercises. At these ceremonies, graduates are recognized individually. SCPS will host two ceremonies after Final Exercises: one for undergraduate degree programs and a second for the Master of Public Safety program.
UVA Final Exercises Information
UVA's Office of Major Events maintains a webpage with details for 2025. There, you will find information for:
- Detailed schedule
- Safety and policies
- Tickets
- Accessibility
- Parking
- Inclement weather plans
- Lots more!
Weekend Schedule for School of Continuing and Professional Studies Graduates
- Schedule for Bachelor's Degree Program Graduates
-
Saturday, May 17
- 3:00 - 5:00 pm: Bachelor's Degree Program Reception
- Location: Ern Commons (on UVA Grounds)
- Registration is required and will be emailed to you
Sunday, May 18
- 7:45 am: all graduates assemble for Lawn procession at the Rotunda's Northeast Terrace
- 9:00 am: Final Exercises lawn procession begins for all graduates
- 11:30 am: Undergraduate degree graduation ceremony begins
- In-person: Newcomb Hall Ballroom, third floor; registration not required
- Virtual: by Zoom; registration is required, see below
- 3:00 - 5:00 pm: Bachelor's Degree Program Reception
- Schedule for Master of Public Safety Graduates
-
Saturday, May 17
- 5:30 - 9:30 pm: Master of Public Safety graduation dinner
- Registration is required and will be emailed to you
Sunday, May 18
- 7:45 am: All graduates assemble for Lawn procession at the Rotunda's Northeast Terrace
- 9:00 am: Final Exercises lawn procession begins for all graduates
- 1:00 pm: Master of Public Safety graduation ceremony begins
- In-person: Newcomb Hall Ballroom, third floor; registration not required
- Virtual: by Zoom; registration is required, see below
- 5:30 - 9:30 pm: Master of Public Safety graduation dinner
- UVA Hosted Events Open to All Graduates
-
Friday, May 16th :
- 3:30 pm: Valedictory Exercises
- Location: John Paul Jones Arena
- 6:00 pm: Donning of the Kente
- Location: Aquatic and Fitness Center
- 9:00 PM Fourth-Year Class Party
- Location: Alumni Hall (to be confirmed)
- 3:30 pm: Valedictory Exercises
Weekend Activities: Participation Details
Travel Resources:
Need help finding somewhere to stay and other activities for your trip? Here are two great resources:
Accessibility:
We are committed to providing universal access to all of our events. Please contact Susan Chisholm at schisholm@virginia.edu to request disability-related accommodations. Examples of accommodations may include real-time captioning, ASL-English interpreting services, accessible digital copies of programs, accessible seating and accessible parking.
Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accommodations. Please contact us at least seven days prior to the start of this event.
Details regarding accessibility for Final Exercises will be found on UVA's Major Events website.
Final Exercises
Regalia:
- Graduates must pick up regalia at the UVA Bookstore with a valid license
- Find details about regalia on UVA's website
- Master of Public Safety graduates must wear hoods as part of the regalia. Hoods must be ordered directly by students from the UVA Bookstore and ship directly from the bookstore.
- If you are not able to pick up from the UVA Bookstore, SCPS graduates have two options:
- You may request SCPS ship it to you (even if you are participating in graduation virtually)
- You may request SCPS hold it for you for pickup on final exercises morning
- Requests must be made by email to: scps_studentaffairs@virginia.edu by May 2
- Caps and gowns do not need to be returned after the ceremony; they may be retained as keepsakes
Assembly and Procession:
- All School of Continuing and Professional Studies graduates who plan to participate in the Final Exercises lawn procession on Sunday, May 18, must assemble by 7:45 am at the Rotunda's Northeast Terrace.
Tickets:
- Degree candidates will receive a total of six tickets for Final Exercises on the Lawn for use by family and guests
- Find details about tickets on UVA's Office of Major Events webpage, to include ticket download and transfer instructions.
Livestream Viewing:
Guests can watch the Valedictory and Final Exercises ceremonies from anywhere via the live streaming webcast, which will be located online: www.virginia.edu/live
Please see the Office of Major Events webpage for additional viewing information.
SCPS Graduation Reception and Diploma Ceremony
Graduation Receptions:
- SCPS bachelor's degree graduates and Master of Public Safety graduates will receive details on their graduation reception by email
- Graduates and their guests must be registered in advance
- Registration information will be provided by email closer to the date
In-Person Graduation Ceremonies:
- Graduates and their guests are invited to attend graduation ceremonies in Newcomb Hall Ballroom. During this event, graduates are recognized individually. Registration is not required.
Virtual Graduation Ceremonies
Students:
- Graduates unable to make it to graduation in person can still participate in the graduation ceremony remotely, via Zoom
- Graduates participating virtually will be featured on screen when their name is called
- Registration is required
- Undergraduate degree program graduates may register to attend the virtual graduation ceremony here
- Master of Public Safety graduates may register to attend the virtual graduation ceremony here
- Graduates who choose this option will be briefly featured on a screen during the ceremony when each graduate’s name is called in Newcomb Hall Ballroom. Graduates will also appear on screen during the live stream of this event
Guests:
- Guests may watch the live stream of the graduation ceremony, which will be found on this webpage beginning at 11:20 am on Sunday, May 18.
Secure an Honor Ad in the Final Exercises Program
- Friends, family members and colleagues of graduates are invited to request a half page of our graduation program to honor you.
- Requests must be accompanied by a donation to SCPS of $250 or more. Donations will fund scholarships for future SCPS students.
- Secure an Honor Ad through this form by April 20, 2025
Pave the Way for Future Adult Learners - Receive a Graduation Cord
- Graduates, friends and family members are invited to help pave the way for future adult learners at UVA's School of Continuing and Professional Studies by contributing to the Honoring Our Hoos campaign, a long-standing tradition started by fourth year UVA students.
- Donations will directly increase the amount of scholarships available to support adults learners in our programs.
- Graduates will receive a cord to wear during Final Exercises and retain as a memento.
Master of Public Safety graduates may participate here
Bachelor's degree graduates may participate here
Share Your SCPS Experience with Us!
Students, we would love to hear from you about your experience! Vocal Video makes it easy to answer a few questions for us, recording your response by audio or video. We'll be glad to feature you on social media or in another of our campaigns!
Additional Information
Heading to Final Exercises at UVA? Important policies will be found on UVA's Major Events website.