Students eligible to participate in the 2026 Miami Commencement and Hooding Ceremonies are those with a projected graduation date between January 1, 2026, and December 31, 2026. The Fall II 2026 Miami cohort will be invited to participate in this ceremony.
In accordance with the Student Handbook, to be eligible for participation in WCU Commencement exercises, the graduate/student must have:
Completed all graduation requirements OR based on space availability, those students who are active in their final term of courses may elect to participate prior to completing all graduation requirements.
Graduate participation registration for the Miami ceremony is August 10 – September 9, 2026.
West Coast University will host the 2026 Fall Commencement Ceremony at 1 PM on Sunday, October 4 at Charles F. Dodge City Center in Pembroke Pines, FL.
The expected duration for the ceremony is 1.5-2 hours
Please note all commencement communication will be with the graduates WCU Email address and a Remind group.
Graduates will be added to the Remind group after they have completed the registration.
Need access to the Remind Group? Submit a request here: https://wcuedu.org/CommencementCeremony.Graduate and guest tickets will be distributed through the Universe ticketing platform to each graduate's West Coast University student email address on the date indicated in their registration confirmation email.
Please note that tickets will only be sent to WCU student email addresses and will not be sent to personal email accounts. All ticket requests must be submitted by the graduate.
Ticket Distribution is expected between September 21 – September 25, 2026.
Be sure to order your commencement regalia before the posted deadline to ensure it arrives in time for your ceremony. Your regalia is required for participation and helps celebrate your achievement as you cross the stage.
Regalia must be ordered by September 18, 2026, to ensure delivery to your home prior to the ceremony.
Click here for more about Regalia
We are excited to celebrate our 2026 graduates and invite family and friends who are unable to attend in person to join us virtually. Each ceremony will be livestreamed to allow loved ones near and far to share in this special moment.
2026 Miami Hooding and Commencement and Hooding Ceremony
Watch the live stream of the Miami Commencement and Hooding Ceremony below.
Located in the heart of Pembroke Pines, Florida, the Charles F. Dodge City Center is a premier event venue known for hosting world-class performances, community celebrations, and special events. The state-of-the-art facility features a spacious theater with comfortable seating, modern amenities, and excellent acoustics, creating an exceptional experience for guests. Conveniently situated near major highways and South Florida attractions, the Charles F. Dodge City Center provides a welcoming and memorable setting for graduates and their families to celebrate this important milestone.
Charles F. Dodge City Center Parking
Parking is available at the Charles F. Dodge City Center, with more than 900 free parking spaces located on the east side of the facility. The venue is located at the corner of Pines Boulevard and Palm Avenue, behind the City Center Shopping Plaza. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to allow time for parking and walking to the entrance.
Venue Entry and Policies
Before arriving, please review the Charles F. Dodge’s Know Before You Go guidelines for important information regarding bag policies, prohibited items, and the venue's non-smoking policy.
Please note that the following items are not permitted inside the venue:
Guests arriving with prohibited items may be required to return them to their vehicle or dispose of them before entering.
To view a full list of items, please click here for more information.
Celebrate your Grad
The Commencement Group
Honor your graduate with flowers, leis, and commemorative gifts available for pre-order through our approved floral vendor, The Commencement Group. Pre-ordered items can be conveniently picked up at the venue before the ceremony, helping family and friends celebrate with ease on graduation day. Shop now
WCU Online Store
Celebrate your achievement long after commencement. Shop the official WCU Online Store for exclusive alumni apparel, degree frames, license plates, and more. Have your favorite alumni items shipped directly to your home or to your graduate.
Graduate Photos
Pre-register your commencement photos to ensure a faster and more seamless photo delivery experience. By registering in advance, you'll receive notifications as soon as your images are available, making it easy to view, share, and order your graduation photos without delay.
If you are planning on attending and have not secured a hotel reservation search for hotel availability via our trusted partner aRes Travel.
aRes Travel is a third-party travel planner. Rates, deposits, and cancellation policies may vary and are the responsibility of the guest. West Coast University does not receive any remuneration or commission from any travel booked through aRes Travel. Questions on hotel policies or payments made on aRes website should be directed to the aRes Reservation Center or to the hotel directly.
Commencement Inquiries
If Graduates have an inquiry regarding commencement, please click here to submit your inquiry.
Yes, all graduates must register to participate in the commencement ceremony. Registration for the Miami ceremony is August 3 – September 9, 2026.
Anyone who missed the deadline to register will need to submit a late registration request form: https://wcuedu.org/CommencementCeremony
Late registrants will be added based on seat availability and will receive a reduced number of tickets based on what is available.
The number of guest tickets for each graduating student is allotted will depend on the anticipated number of graduates attending the ceremony. Each guest ticket equates to one audience seat. Details about ticket delivery or pickup will be included within communications leading up to commencement.
Submit a request here: https://wcuedu.org/CommencementCeremony
There will be a guest services team available at the venue to assist with seating as needed on commencement day. Please plan to arrive early if you or your guests need ADA seating as its first come first served. Special tickets are not issued to guests with disabilities.
When registering to participate in the commencement ceremony, please complete the field for accommodation.
If you registered and forgot to list your accommodation request, please submit your request: https://wcuedu.org/CommencementCeremony
One of the most memorable moments of the ceremony is the hooding of our graduate degree recipients. During the graduate recognition portion of the program, each graduate will be hooded on stage by a member of the platform party as they cross the stage and are recognized for their achievement.
To ensure a smooth and timely ceremony experience for all graduates, individual requests for specific hooding participants cannot be accommodated.
Students in Graduate Status may print a verification of enrollment letter, which includes your anticipated graduation date, directly from the student portal. Follow this guide for assistance. When applying for a visa, students should provide both the verification letter along with the Commencement invitation email from West Coast University.
Students in Graduate Status please reach out to your campus registrar for confirmation of your status and a verification letter. Campus registrar contact information can be found below. When applying for a visa, graduates should provide both the verification letter along with the Commencement invitation email from West Coast University.
|
Campus |
Programs |
Campus Email |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Campus | ADN and BSN | WCUMIARegistrar@westcoastuniversity.edu | |
| Online Programs | BSHA, BSPH, RN to BSN, MBA, MHA,MPH, MSLP, MSCMHC, MSN, RN to MSN, DNP, Post Master's Certificates | wcuonlineregistrar@westcoastuniversity.edu |
Campus Email |
|---|
Miami Campus |
Programs: ADN and BSN |
| WCUMIARegistrar@westcoastuniversity.edu |
Online Programs |
Programs: BSHA, BSPH, RN to BSN, MBA, MHA,MPH, MSLP, MSCMHC, MSN, RN to MSN, DNP, Post Master's Certificates |
| wcuonlineregistrar@westcoastuniversity.edu |