Pre-Graduation Guide

Step-by-step instructions on how to submit your Application to Graduate.

Step 1: Log in to myPNW portal using your career account username and password (Purdue Login).

• If you have questions or issues logging in, email csc@pnw.edu or call (219) 989-2888.

Step 2: In the left pane navigation under the Students area go to the Graduation and Commencement page. Click on the link for the Graduation and Commencement Task list. You may also go directly to Tasks in the left pane navigation and select the Graduation and Commencement Task list there. Here you will find the “Apply to Graduate” task.

Step 3: Use the radio button to select the Curriculum (degree) you are seeking to apply for. If you do not see your intended degree listed here, contact graduation@pnw.edu immediately to confirm your degree and major. Once you have verified your information, click Continue. Note: The term shown in this section is your curricula (catalog) term, not your graduation term. That will be selected on the next screen.

Step 4: Select your Graduation Date from the drop-down menu. The date shown here is the last day of the semester and may not represent an actual ceremony date. Answer the Graduation Attendance questions and then click Continue.

Step 5: Select your Diploma Name from the name on your permanent record or enter a new name and click Continue. Note: This will not change your name that we have on file; it will only affect the printing of your diploma.

Step 6: Select your Diploma Mailing Address from the list of addresses we have on file or enter a new one and click Continue. Note: This will not change the address that we have on file; it will only be used to mail your diploma. If you need to update your address for purposes in addition to diploma mailing, please submit an Address Change form.

Step 7: On the final screen you will be asked to verify the information that you have entered. You can Go Back to edit your selections if needed or Submit your application to complete the process. You will receive a confirmation email.

When you Apply to Graduate you will also indicate how you would like your name printed on your diploma. When available, diplomas may be picked up at the Registrar’s Office of your home campus – Hammond in Lawshe Hall, Room 130, or Westville in Schwarz Hall, Room 120.

For more information about diplomas and distribution dates, visit the Diploma web page.

Purdue University Northwest now offers Certified Electronic Diplomas and Certificates (CeDiploma/CeCertficate) to graduates starting in Spring 2022 and beyond!

Candidates who have met the requirements will receive an e-mail from info@cecredentialtrust.com 8-10 weeks after the end of the term when the digital diploma is ready for download.

Learn more about CeDiplomas

In the myPNW portal, go to the Tools area in the left pane navigation. Click on “View or Update Personal Information” to review the address we have on file. If your address is incorrect, update it by completing the Address Change form.

Diplomas for candidates who are unable to pick them up from the Office of the Registrar will be mailed to the graduate’s current mailing address as noted in our student information system. Please verify that your address is correct!

Academic attire guidelines for graduate and undergraduate regalia

All guests wishing to view the Commencement ceremony in person must have an electronic ticket supplied by the candidate for graduation. In order to comply with fire codes, every guest, including infants and children regardless of age, must have a ticket.

All guests wishing to view the Commencement ceremony in person must have an electronic ticket supplied by the candidate for graduation. In order to comply with fire codes, every guest age 2 or older must have a ticket.

Infants and toddlers under the age of 2 who can sit on an adult’s lap for the duration of the ceremony will be allowed to enter the venue without a ticket.

A child under the age of 2 without a ticket must remain in arms for the entirety of the ceremony.

An email message with your electronic tickets will be delivered from MyPNWLife approximately two weeks prior to the Commencement ceremony date. If you do not receive your tickets, please check the junk and spam folders associated with your PNW email.

Guest tickets may not be sold. Electronic tickets are generated with a unique identifier that is traceable back to the graduation candidate. Any attempt to sell or produce electronic tickets will be considered a misuse of Purdue University Northwest property.

Your diploma reflects your academic success. On the Apply to Graduate that you previously submitted you indicated how you would like your name to appear on your diploma.

If you have any changes, please email the Graduation Coordinator at graduation@pnw.edu.

Graduation regalia must be purchased through the PNW Bookstore and they also offer a variety of diploma frames, souvenir tassels, and other Alumni items. Don’t forget to grab some PNW Pride gear like T-shirts, hats or hoodies, too!

As a gesture of gratitude and appreciation for their supporters, all graduation candidates have the opportunity to record and submit an audio testimonial that will be played ahead of the ceremony. Guidelines for submitting an audio testimonial are as follows:

• The message should be no longer than 30-45 seconds in length.
• Plan your message in advance and write it down for reference.
• Using a voice recorder, speak slowly and clearly in the English language.
• Send your voice recording message to graduation@pnw.edu. The subject line should include “Audio Message”.

Sample Message:

• My name is _______________________. I am graduating with a _______________ degree in ______________________. I would like to thank my (family, friends, professors and classmates) for their love and support while I pursued my goal of becoming a graduate of Purdue University Northwest.

Grad Images is the official photographer of PNW Commencement ceremonies.

For graduates who have participated in a Commencement ceremony: You will receive your proofs either by email or US mail. You can also visit the Grad Images website and type in your last name, school and graduation year to find your photos and see your proofs. There is no obligation to purchase.

Contact their Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576 or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net for more information.

PNW is excited to continue our partnership with Balfour – a trusted provider of class rings for over 100 years – to offer our graduates a lasting symbol of their academic achievement.

See Balfour’s selection and pricing of class rings and other commemorative jewelry

Need help with your ring order? Schedule a virtual ring consultation with your Balfour representative.

Commencement Flowers encourages customers to take advantage of their online pre-order services for rose bouquets and PNW commencement T-shirts. As always, they will also have commemorative items and flowers available for sale on-site the day of Commencement.

Click here to see Commencement Flowers products and to pre-order.

Let others know about your accomplishment! Purdue University Northwest graduation announcements let you share the good news with family and friends.

See Herff Jones products and pricing

Enter “Purdue University Northwest” in the search box and then click on the university’s name on the next screen to access the selections for campus, college, and degree type.

The PNW Career Center offers valuable services from creating a winning resume and interview prep to job postings as well as guidance on graduate and professional schools that match your career goals.

See how the Career Center can help you Power Onward

Regardless of when you graduated, what you studied or what campus you graduated from, your diploma makes you a member of the PNW alumni community!

Find out how to join the PNW Alumni Community and access member benefits

We encourage students who have completed their Bachelor’s Degree and are thinking about continuing their education for a Master’s Degree and beyond to explore the opportunities at PNW.

Discover everything you need to know about PNW Graduate Studies

Your Purdue transcript tells the story of your educational journey and includes all the coursework you have taken at any Purdue campus. Official transcripts showing your graduation status and degree can be ordered approximately 4 weeks following the end of the semester in which you complete your degree requirements.

Find more information about transcripts and the Transcript Ordering System

A letter in a sealed envelope will be provided for each person that you list in your request. Please allow two weeks to receive the letter. You may pick up your letters in the Enrollment Services Center (Lawshe Room 130) at the Hammond campus or in Schwarz Room 120 at the Westville campus. Be sure to bring your Purdue ID card or other photo ID with you. You can then forward the letter of invitation to parents/guests for use in documenting their visa request.

Receipt of an invitation letter does not guarantee candidate status or your participation in the ceremony.

Have questions? Contact the Graduation Coordinator at (219) 989-2334 or email graduation@pnw.edu.