Weather Update: All campuses of NSU will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
10:00 A.M. Ceremony
College of Business and Technology
MS – Computer Information Systems
BS – Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Hospitality Management &Tourism
Gallaspy Family College of Education & Human Development
EDD – Adult Learning and Development
EDS – Educational Leadership and Instruction
MA – Adult Learning & Development, Counseling, Student Affairs in Higher Education
MAT – Early Childhood Education-Grades PK-3, Elementary Education- Grades 1-5, Elementary Education and Special Education Mild/Moderate- Grades 1-5, Middle School Education-Grades 4-8, Middle School Education and Special Education Mild/Moderate-Grades 4-8, Secondary Education-Grades 6-12, Secondary Education and Special Education Mild/Moderate-Grades 6-12 MED – Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, Educational Technology Leadership, Special Education
MS – Health and Human Performance, Psychology-Clinical
MSW – Social Work
BME – Music Education-Instrumental-Grades K-12, Music Education-Vocal- Grades K-12, Music Education-Vocal/Instrumental -Grades K-12
BS – Addiction Studies, Child and Family Studies, Early Childhood Education- Grades Pre-K-3, Elementary Education-Grades 1-5, Health and Exercise Science, Health and Physical Education-Grades K-12, Psychology, Secondary Education and Teaching, Sport and Recreation Management
BSW – Social Work
2:00 P.M. Ceremony
College of Nursing and School of Allied Health
DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice
MS – Allied, Health, Radiologic Sciences
MSN – Master of Science in Nursing
BAS – Allied Health
BS – Radiologic Sciences
BSN – Bachelor of Science in Nursing
ASN – Associate of Science in Nursing
Thursday, December 18, 2025
10:00 A.M. Ceremony
College of Arts and Sciences
MA – Art, English
MM – Music
MS – Homeland Security
BA – Communication, Criminal Justice, English, History, Liberal Arts
BFA – Dance, Fine and Graphic Arts, Musical Theatre, Production and Design
BGS – General Studies
BM – Music
BS – Applied Microbiology, Biology, Electronics Engineering Technology, Industrial Engineering Technology, Mathematics, Physical Science, Theatre, Unified Public Safety Administration
AD – Veterinary Technology
AGS – Associate of General Studies
AS – Engineering Technology
Louisiana Scholars’ College
BA – Communication, Criminal Justice, English, History, Liberal Arts
BFA – Dance, Fine & Graphic Arts, Production and Design
BM – Music
BME – Music Education-Instrumental-Grades K-12, Music Education-Vocal- Grades K-12
BS – Accounting, Addiction Studies, Applied Microbiology, Biology, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Electronic Engineering Technology, Elementary Education-Grades 1-5, Health and Exercise Science, Hospitality Management and Tourism, Industrial Engineering Technology, Mathematics, Physical Science, Psychology, Secondary Education and Teaching, Theatre, Unified Public Safety Administration
BSW – Social Work
Graduates will not be limited to the number of guests in attendance.
Guests will be directed to seating but will not be required to sit together. Saving seats will not be allowed. Guests are asked to remain seated for the duration of the ceremony.
If you are a Fall 2025 graduate you can contact the NSU Marketplace in Natchitoches at (318) 238-3630 or email 1671mgr@follett.com to order your cap and gown. You can also email the Shreveport Campus Bookstore at 2061mgr@follett.com. Caps and gowns can also be purchased at nsushop.com.
Participation in commencement is mandatory for Fall graduates. However, if a problem arises and you are unable to attend, notify the University Registrar’s Office in writing no later than December 1, 2025. Please list your full name, campus wide ID number or social security number, the address to which you want your diploma mailed, and sign your statement. Mail or fax the notice to the University Registrar’s Office. A form letter is provided here for your convenience.
The form may be faxed to (318) 357-5823, emailed to registrar@nsula.edu or mailed to Northwestern State University, University Registrar’s Office Natchitoches, LA 71497.
As a Summer 2025 NSU graduate, you are invited to attend the Fall 2025 Commencement Ceremonies. To submit notice of your intent to participate, complete and return the Commencement Attendance Form.
Completed attendance forms may be sent via email to registrar@nsula.edu or by fax to 318-357-5823 and must be submitted no later than Monday, December 1, 2025.
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to each ceremony.
Please refer to the coliseum diagram for designated entrances.
Guests should also arrive at least 30 minutes prior to each ceremony.
Individuals with health risks are advised to wear masks, but masks are not required.
All ceremonies will be livestreamed at https://www.nsula.edu/livestream/ and recorded. Graduates who wish to purchase a graduation DVD should click here for information (updated link coming soon).
Symbols and Traditions
The gonfalon, a flag that hangs from a crosspiece or frame, originated in the medieval republics of Italy as an ensign of state of office.
Gonfalons have been adopted in many universities around the world as college or institutional insignias.
The gonfalons displayed represent the academic areas of Northwestern State University. The colors of the University, purple and white, are joined together in a pattern common to all flags.
The President’s Chain, presented to the University as a gift from the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi in commemoration of the 125th anniversary, holds the seal of the University, which is cast in bronze. Each platelet bears the name of a former president of Northwestern and the years he served. Chains of similar design have been worn for centuries during ceremonies at universities. This chain is unique in recognizing the leaders who have served Northwestern while most others are original works of art.
The President’s Regalia was designed by the Student Government Association on behalf of the student body and symbolizes the mutual trust, respect, and collaboration between the students and the University Administration. Academic regalia dates back to the Medieval universities of Europe and is based on clerical robes worn at that time.
The Mace is crafted from dark walnut and silver-plated solid bronze. It bears the seal of the University and features details of oak and pine. The Mace is topped by a silver fleur-de-lis finial, symbolizing the French heritage of the area and is encircled by the original Latin motto of the school, “Educatio Adulescentis Est Civitiatis Salus (The Education of the Youth is the Salvation of the State).”
The Mace originated as a weapon in the Middle Ages. Archers and other unmounted warriors used it as a hand arm. Sergeants at arms, who were guards of kings and other high officials, also carried maces. Gradually the mace gained a ceremonial character and became a symbol to denote authority.
The commencement ceremonial occasions begin with the entrance of the University Mace, carried by the Mace Bearer, President of the University’s Faculty Senate. The ceremonial Mace symbolizes the dignity and authority of the University.
The practice of wearing academic attire extends back to Medieval times and the Renaissance when teachers and students in European universities wore caps, gowns, and hoods. The long sleeves of the gowns and the deep hoods were used to carry books and refreshments. Each European university developed its own style of dress and strict rules for its design. In the United States, most institutions have agreed on a uniform design and color code.
Although the wearing of academic regalia in this country is now limited to formal occasions, the attire may be considered the mark of the professional scholar and teacher. The style and color serve as symbols of academic achievement.
Holders of the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and specialist’s degrees wear purple gowns; the pattern and trimming differ for each degree. Originally, the bachelor’s gowns were made of serge or worsted and the master’s gowns were made of serge, worsted, or silk; but now synthetic fabrics are also used. The master’s and specialist’s gowns are distinguished by their long pointed sleeves with a slit for the arm at either the elbow or wrist.
The doctor’s gown is made of silk and may be in a color other than black. It has rounded, open sleeves, and the trimming includes velvet facing down the front and three bars of velvet on the sleeves. The velvet may be black or the color appropriate to the faculty or subject to which the degree pertains. The Northwestern State University doctor’s gown is purple with purple velvet and white piping.
Holders of all degrees wear caps, popularly known as mortarboards, to which a long tassel, the color of which indicates the academic discipline of the degree, is fastened and hangs over the left side of the cap. Doctors and presidents of institutions may wear tassels of gold thread.
At Northwestern State University, students earning bachelor’s, master’s and specialist’s degrees wear purple and white tassels and students earning associate degrees wear purple tassels. The hoods of the candidates for advanced Northwestern State University degrees are lined with the colors of the University, purple and white. The colors of the edging of hoods are representative of the degree:
Arts, Letters, and Humanities -> White
Business -> Drab
Education -> Baby Blue
Music -> Pink
Nursing -> Apricot
Science -> Golden Yellow
Commencement is the most important event of the academic year on a university campus. On that occasion, the faculty traditionally recognizes the graduating class by marching in procession attired in the regalia appropriate to their degrees and the institutions where they were earned. Position in the faculty columns is determined by academic rank; persons of higher rank process first. The column is led by two marshals wearing regalia in the colors of Northwestern State University. The marshals are chosen by their faculty colleagues on the basis of distinguished service and achievement.
