Graduation & Commencement at St. Ambrose University

St. Ambrose University confers degrees three times per year: Winter, Spring, and Summer. The university holds commencement ceremonies in May and December each year. Summer graduates have an opportunity participate in either our spring or winter commencement ceremony. Please contact Registrar@sau.edu for next steps.

About Graduation

All coursework and final exams must be completed by the end of the day of the last day of the term. Any coursework not completed by that date will result in the degree being posted for the next term. Students should apply for graduation by the graduation deadline to ensure they are on track for graduation.

Degree Posting

Degree posting will begin the week after the commencement ceremony. Delays in posting a degree includes: failure to send final transcripts for transferring course work or failure to submit final assignments to instructors. Once your degree has been posted, graduates can request their SAU transcript for free.

Commencement Schedule of Events

Graduation Application Deadline

October 12, 2026 | 4:30pm | Registrar’s Office

Students who plan to graduate in December should submit the graduation application by October 12^th. Students can submit this application through their self-service account under Graduation Overview. Students who apply after the deadline will not be listed in the printed program or other printed materials.

Graduation Regalia Ordering Deadline

October 12, 2026 | 4:30pm | SAU Bookstore

Graduates should order their graduation regalia by October 12^th at 4:30pm CST. All orders will be delivered to the SAU bookstore late November/early December. All student orders must be pre-paid or they will not be delivered. Please contact sau@slingshotedu.com with questions.

Honored by Honors

TBD | Honors House

Graduating students who have participated in the honors program are invited to the Honored by Honors event. This event will recognize the December graduates of the Honors Program and honor their faculty members. Please email honors@sau.edu with questions.

Graduation Fee Deadline

December 4th, 2026 | 4:30pm | Student Financial Services

Graduates are to pay the $50.00 graduate fee by December 4^th. Students who pay after the deadline might experience delays in receiving their diploma. Please contact Student Financial Services at sfs@sau.edu with questions.

Military Connected Graduates Honoring Ceremony

TBD | Please check your emails for updates regarding this event

Medals will be presented to graduating military veterans and service members, and honor cords will be presented to children and spouses of veterans. In recognition of their achievements, these will be worn with graduation attire for the commencement ceremony. A reception with light refreshments to follow. Please contact Veterans Services at Veterans@sau.edu with questions.

Commencement Rehearsal Ceremony- Undergraduate Seniors

December 17, 2026 | 5:00pm | Rogalski Center Ballroom

Undergraduate students who will be participating in the December Commencement Ceremony are required to attend the Commencement Rehearsal Ceremony. Student check-in will begin at 4:30pm. The rehearsal begins at 5pm.

Nursing Pinning Ceremony

TBD | Galvin Fine Arts

The Nursing Pinning Ceremony honors and celebrates graduating nursing students. The ceremony marks the students’ transition from nursing students to professional nurses. Graduates will be presented with a pin which represents the values and traditions of our nursing program. All family and friends are invited to celebrate our graduates’ accomplishments.

Graduation Reception for International Students and/or Cultural/Ethnic Identifying Students

TBD | Gottlieb

This reception is to celebrate graduating seniors as part of the international and cultural/ethnic community. All graduates are welcome to attend and participate in this reception. Students, family, friends, and other guests are welcome to attend with their graduate.

Master’s Hooding Ceremony

December 18, 2026 | 6:00pm | Galvin Fine Arts

The Master’s Hooding Ceremony for graduate students will take place on Friday, December 18^th at 6:00pm in the Galvin and Fine Arts building. Students who plan to participate are required to apply for graduation through Self-Service. Doors open for guests at 5:00pm and student check-in will be from 5:00pm-5:30pm. Please contact the Office of the Provost at Provost@sau.edu with any questions.

Commencement Ceremony

December 19, 2026 | 10:00am | River Center Davenport, IA

The winter commencement ceremony will take place on December 19^th at 10:00am at the River Center in Davenport, IA. All graduating undergraduate, master, and doctoral students are invited and encouraged to participate in the commencement ceremony. All graduating students are required to apply for graduation through Self-Service by October 12^th. Doors will open for students and guests at 9:00am. Student check-in will begin at 9:00am for students who are participating in the ceremony. The ceremony is expected to last at least two hours. A livestream link will be posted on this page the morning of commencement. Tickets are not required and there are no limitations on guest attendance. Parking is available in the parking garage across the street from the River Center.

Students and guests who need special accommodations can contact the Access & Disability Services at 563-333-6275 or ads@sau.edu.

River Center Guest Requirements: All graduations/commencement ceremonies will require guests and attendees to enter through entrances with walk-through metal detectors. We will also be enforcing our bag policy, which is any bag/purse over 12”x12”x6” will need to be returned to their vehicle. Our only exceptions to this are for medical reasons or diaper bags (with small child/children present upon entry). Medical and diaper bags will be searched upon entry. We do not allow air horns, drums, whistles or any noise makers of any kind.  Other items that are prohibited, along with weapons of any kind, are alcohol, drugs, paraphernalia, outside food and beverages.

Parking

Street Parking: 2-hour parking on side streets around the facility Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM and FREE after 5PM on weekdays and on weekends.

Parking Ramp: City-owned parking ramp attached to facility.  Parking fees vary depending on the length of time you park.

Accessibility Guest Needs

To ensure equal and fair access to the facility and services, the RiverCenter shall comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and all other applicable federal, state, and local regulation. We will make reasonable accommodations when necessary to ensure accessible services to individuals with disabilities.  The RiverCenter does NOT provide wheelchairs or other mobility devices.

Elevators in each RiverCenter buildings

ADA compliant bathroom stalls

Animals

Service Animals as defined by the American Disabilities Act (ADA) are permitted.

Drop Off & Parking

In front of the RiverCenter entrances on 3rd Street (please put on hazard lights when dropping off).

There are wheelchair ramp accessible drop-off areas at both buildings.

There is also a city managed parking garage directly across from the facility that is connected via a skywalk, all handicap accessible. 2-hour street parking is available during the week (Monday-Friday) prior to 5PM and FREE on the weekends. Handi-cap parking spaces are available on streets surrounding the RiverCenter and in ramp on a first-come-first-serve basis.

A sign language interpreter is stationed on the right-hand side of the stage (from the audience perspective)

Please contact the Access & Disability Services at 563-333-6275 or ads@sau.edu for questions or to request special accommodations.