BSN Online, Post-Licensure & Graduate Commencement

As of May 3, 2021, graduation applications are no longer required. However, please note that graduation and commencement are two separate activities:  

• Graduation: Graduation marks the official completion of all your obligations to the university – both academic and financial. Once all these requirements have been met, your degree will be conferred, and your degree is awarded. You do not have to attend a commencement ceremony to graduate! 
• Commencement: Although often referred to as graduation, commencement refers to the optional, ceremonial event that celebrates the awarding of degrees.  

Detailed information about our next commencement ceremonies will be available on this web-page as soon as they are available to share. Generally, details should be posted three months prior to the scheduled commencement date.  

You are invited to attend commencement activities designed specifically to celebrate your post- licensure. BSN Online, and graduate Chamberlain experience and achievements. For this reason, post-licensure, BSN Online, and graduate students are invited to participate in the ceremony held in the Chicagoland-area. This event is different from campus graduations, which are designed only for pre-licensure students. 

Once you complete your final course(s), you will receive an electronic copy of your diploma within five weeks. You will also receive a paper copy of your diploma, which may take up to seven weeks to be delivered to the address we have on file.

If your name or shipping address has recently changed, please email the Academic Support Advising team at onlineacademicadvising@chamberlain.edu to provide updated information for your diploma. Your request must be submitted no later than ten business days before your expected graduation date (note: this is different from your ceremony date).

Please view chamberlain.edu/offtransguide for instructions on how to request your official transcripts. Unless otherwise indicated in the Enrollment Agreement, Chamberlain retains the right to hold the issuance of transcripts for students who have an outstanding balance, owe library books or fines, fail to return Chamberlain property or for other serious situations, as warranted.

If you are not attending graduation and would still like to purchase these items, please visit the Chamberlain Marketplace, select “In Stock,” then “Graduation.”

Please contact the Academic Support Advising  team at  onlineacademicadvising@chamberlain.edu. 

Chamberlain’s Commencement will be held at 

The Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel,

1551 Thoreau Drive

Schaumburg, IL 60173.

The closest airports are Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW).

• From O’Hare (ORD): The hotel is approximately 15 miles northwest. Travel time is about 20–30 minutes by car or rideshare.

• From Midway (MDW): The hotel is approximately 35 miles northwest. Travel time is about 45–60 minutes by car or rideshare.

Rideshare, taxi, rental car, or airport shuttle services are recommended for transportation to the venue.

We’re thrilled to welcome you and your families as you join us to celebrate this incredible milestone. Schaumburg offers a vibrant blend of comfort, convenience, and Midwestern charm—making it the perfect place to honor your achievements and create lasting memories. We look forward to celebrating with you! Discover Schaumburg, IL!

Chamberlain has arranged a discounted room block at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel for graduates and guests. Booking details will be available soon.

Students who graduated between the July 2024 and May 2025 sessions will receive an email invitation to register for the 2025 commencement ceremony.

All communication will be sent to the preferred email address on file with the Registrar’s Office.

If you believe you are eligible but do not receive an invitation, please contact the academic advising team at onlineacademicadvising@chamberlain.edu.

The $175 commencement fee is non-transferable. Graduates must successfully pay the fee and complete their commencement registration, marked by receipt of a confirmation email, to be included in the event.

After August 18, 2025, no refunds will be issued if you cancel your registration or do not attend your ceremony (no-show). Cancellations due to COVID-19, other illnesses, or emergencies, will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Graduates who cancel their registration are also responsible for the cancellation of their own airfare, hotel, regalia, etc.

The commencement registration fee ensures all graduates are offered a comprehensive, high-quality, enjoyable, and safe Chamberlain commencement experience that includes but is not limited to, the following:

• Commemorative Chamberlain diploma cover
• Commemorative commencement program book
• Guest tickets for seating in the ceremony hall
• Livestream video production and viewing option for your virtual support network and on-site guests not seated in the ceremony hall
• Access to professional photographers and videographers to capture your special moments throughout the commencement concourse and ceremony hall
• Spaces to capture memorable photos that represent the culmination of your Chamberlain journey
• Access to Chamberlain Gear and commencement vendors for regalia and graduate gifts
• Option to reserve discounted lodging in the Chamberlain commencement room block at the host hotel that includes free high-speed internet access and easy access to the commencement venue
• Security screening of all graduates, guests, and event support staff, and
• Onsite security staff, law enforcement, and EMT personnel for emergency response purposes

Students who graduated during the July 2024-May 2025 sessions are invited to register for the 2025 commencement ceremony.

All ceremonies will celebrate graduates from all degree levels and programs. During registration, graduates will be assigned a ceremony date based on their program.

Capacity is limited, so early registration is strongly encouraged. Once capacity is reached, students will be invited to participate in the 2026 Commencement.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all graduates and their guests, Chamberlain University will host three separate Commencement ceremonies in 2025. Guest ticket allocations will vary by ceremony, reflecting both the number of participating graduates and each venue’s seating capacity.

Graduates who are unable to attend their assigned ceremony may opt to participate in the 2026 Commencement; registration details for that event will be available in late spring 2026.

Please refer to the registration form for your specific guest ticket allocation.

Additional details regarding ticketing include:

• Tickets are included in the Commencement fee and have no cash value.

• Tickets are non-transferable and Chamberlain does not endorse or permit the sale or exchange of tickets.

• Each ticket grants one seat in the Commencement Hall.

• Children age 3 and under do not require a ticket if seated on a parent or guardian’s lap.

• Requests for additional guest tickets will not be accommodated.

• If you plan to bring more guests than the number of tickets assigned, a livestream viewing option will be available for non-ticketed guests. Livestream access details will be posted on each ceremony-specific webpage as they become available.

• We thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work to create a memorable and respectful experience for all graduates and their loved ones.

Commencement is a special and memorable experience for graduates to celebrate their achievements with their families. To facilitate an enjoyable ceremony, we ask that all attendees participate in a positive and respectful manner. To that end, please:

• Remain in your designated seat for the duration of the ceremony.
• Silence cellphones and other devices.
• Avoid extended cheering so all graduates’ names can be heard as they cross the stage.
• Request that guests remain seated during the recessional until all graduates and faculty members have exited.
• Respect commencement speakers, event staff, faculty, fellow graduates, and their guests.

Graduates are asked to cross the stage in a respectful and professional manner, refraining from large outbursts, taking selfies, dancing, or other actions that may disrupt the ceremony. Registered graduates are the only people permitted to cross the commencement stage. If you need accommodation, please  onlineacademicadvising@chamberlain.edu.

Additional health and safety protocols, which will be communicated to registered graduates, may be instituted on- site to ensure a safe and successful ceremony.

To facilitate an enjoyable ceremony, noisemakers, balloons, confetti, oversized signs or banners, alcohol, and weapons are not permitted in the exhibit hall where the ceremonies will be held.

For the safety of all attendees and in the spirit of celebration, masks that cover the face or around the eyes are not permitted.

Inclusion in the Book

Inclusion in the commencement program book is determined by academic completion date and is independent of commencement attendance–this is because commencement attendance is optional, and degree conferral is the official and final mark of the completion of a student’s academic requirements. Everyone must receive confirmation of their degree conferral to complete their program, but graduates are not required to attend commencement.

Therefore, students who graduated during July 2024-May 2025, sessions will be included in the final commencement program that is published electronically six to eight weeks after commencement. It will be posted to the commencement website and distributed via email. To be excluded from the commencement book, please send an email to onlineacademicadvising@chamberlain.edu. before August 18, 2025.

The commencement program book that will be distributed on-site contains information about Chamberlain’s history, university leadership, the academic ceremony, and additional information about the university organizations and initiatives. It does not include the names of graduates first eligible to participate in this commencement.

After the ceremonies, a final, electronic version of the commencement program book will be published with the names of graduates from the class of July 2024- May 2025 sessions. This class comprises all graduates, regardless of their commencement attendance, Students who graduated during the July 2024-May 2025 sessions are invited to register for commencement.

All registered graduates will have their names called as they cross the stage during their ceremony. Registered graduates will receive instructions on how to access Tassel to confirm name spelling/accuracy and phonetic pronunciation by early August 2025.

During the ceremony the students' names will be read aloud with honor status if applicable.

Graduates are required to wear regalia (cap and gown) in order to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Chamberlain does not provide rental gowns or regalia. Graduates may purchase their regalia through Jostens, with items shipped directly to their home prior to the ceremony.

The deadline to order regalia to ensure delivery before the ceremony is August 14, 2025.

Ordering instructions will be included in your registration confirmation email, which you will receive after completing your commencement registration.

Note: Most graduates purchase keepsake regalia. Doctoral graduates have the opportunity to purchase fine-quality regalia depending upon their future needs.

Chamberlain awards honors (With Distinction and with High Distinction) and the Presidential Commendation for Academic Achievement (cumulative GPA of 4.0).

Only honors-eligible graduates who register to attend in-person commencement will receive their honors cord. Graduates attending an in-person ceremony will receive instructions on where to pick up their honors items on site.

In order to be considered for honors at graduation, a graduate of the BSN program must have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours in residence with a CGPA of 3.3. Summa Cum Laude, the highest honor, requires a CGPA of 3.8 or above. Students with a CGPA between 3.5 and 3.79 will graduate Magna Cum Laude, and those with a CGPA between 3.3 and 3.49 will graduate Cum Laude. President’s Honors will be awarded to BSN students who graduate with a CGPA of 3.5 or above and have fewer than 60 credit hours in residence. A student who has graduated from a doctorate or graduate degree program must have completed a minimum of 30 credit hours in residence. Doctorate or graduate degree students with a CGPA of 4.0 will graduate with the designation “With High Distinction” and those with a CGPA from 3.85 to 3.99 will graduate with the designation “With Distinction.”

All coursework completed (including the last semester of study) will be included in the calculation of graduation honors. The official graduation honors will be notated on the student’s transcript.

Chamberlain allows honors society graduates to wear all honors regalia (such as cords, sashes, and stoles) during the ceremony. Each honor society is responsible for the sale and distribution of these items, so we suggest that you contact the honors society or student organization for more details. 

Graduates are responsible for identifying and contacting their respective honor societies for any event information, honor cords/commencement attire, or membership status.

GradImages will be on site to capture your big day! Photographers will be stationed to capture images of you before, during, and after crossing the stage. Stations will also be available to take additional photos or headshots. Pre-register with GradImages.

Chamberlain University may film or photograph commencement and its associated activities for marketing and publicity purposes. By participating in these events, graduates and their guests may be photographed or filmed. These images belong to Chamberlain University, and graduates are not entitled to compensation or fees for use of their image or likeness. If you have questions or concerns about this, please email onlineacademicadvising@chamberlain.edu by August 18, 2025.

Chamberlain has taken measures to ensure that our commencement venues are accessible and ADA compliant. All commencement ceremonies will be captioned live and held on a wheelchair accessible stage.

To help us better plan and accommodate, the commencement registration form provides graduates the option to let us know if they will be using the assistance of a mobility device (walker, wheelchair, scooter, etc.) when crossing the stage.

Should you have additional questions, please contact onlineacademicadvising@chamberlain.edu.