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Illinois Commencement Important Dates
Ceremony Date
Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.
Graduates should report to the designated lineup area one hour prior to the ceremony.
Important updates on traveling to the NIU Convocation Center: Due to construction, Route 88 will be down to just one lane East and West between Peace and Annie Glidden. Heavy traffic is anticipated. Please plan accordingly.
Participating in the commencement ceremony is a celebration of your academic journey and achievements. Please note that graduation from Rasmussen will be conferred only after an academic audit verifies that you have successfully fulfilled all the requirements of your program.
Commencement Timeline & Regalia
April 25: Deadline for student speaker interest via registration form
May 9: Graduate registration deadline
May 23: Deadline to order regalia through Graduation Source
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Illinois Ceremony Details
Ceremony Details
NIU Convocation Center
525 W Lincoln Hwy
DeKalb, IL 60115Please allow plenty of time for parking and entering the venue.
Important updates on traveling to the NIU Convocation Center: Due to construction, Route 88 will be down to just one lane East and West between Peace and Annie Glidden. Heavy traffic is anticipated. Please plan accordingly.
Commencement Ceremony Snapshot
A complete ceremony timeline will be included in future graduate communications, but a graduation ceremony snapshot looks like this:- Graduate and faculty processional
- Welcome and remarks
- Rasmussen Leadership
- Graduate speakers
- Keynote speaker
- Conferral of degrees
- Graduate recognition
- Close and recessional
Guest Seating
The commencement ceremony will honor approximately 400 graduates. Guest seating is general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend each grad bring no more than 10 guests.
There will be an ASL interpreter onstage. The best seating for viewing the ASL interpreter is in sections 101 and 102. Find more venue information, including ADA seating.
Additional Venue Information
Guests will enter the Convocation Center through Route 38. Other entry points may be closed to allow various traffic flow. Parking attendants will direct guests to which lot upon arrival.Prohibited Items and Bag Policy
Attendees may bring one unopened 20-oz. or less bottle of water. No other outside food or beverages are allowed. The NIU Convocation Center has a clear bag policy, and strollers are not allowed. Read full details of the bag policy and prohibited items.Photography
Grad Images was on-site to take professional photos before and during the ceremony, including your moment on stage.
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DeKalb Travel Information
Travel Details
Important updates on traveling to the NIU Convocation Center: Due to construction, Route 88 will be down to just one lane East and West between Peace and Annie Glidden. Heavy traffic is anticipated. Please plan accordingly.
Join fellow attendees at our partner hotel! Rasmussen has secured a discounted rate at this nearby location:
Explore all that DeKalb has to offer, from local eateries to cultural attractions, there’s something for everyone. Check out their visitors guide and Explore DeKalb County page.

Commencement
Celebrate Your Graduation at Commencement
Your college degree is a life-changing accomplishment that deserves recognition and celebration. All your hard work and dedication has led to this moment—be proud and know that your exciting journey doesn’t end on graduation day. Join us for the upcoming commencement ceremonies across the nation to honor this important milestone for hundreds of Rasmussen University graduates.On this page:
Rasmussen Commencement 2025 Dates
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Graduates of any campus and online are invited to attend any Rasmussen University commencement ceremony. Eligible graduates will receive invitations to register via email. Students in “Pending Graduate” status will also be invited to attend a Rasmussen commencement 2025 ceremony. The registration deadline for each commencement is four weeks prior to the ceremony.
You can find helpful commencement information on this page, including timelines, graduation ceremony details and travel recommendations. We can’t wait to celebrate this remarkable achievement with you!
June 7, 2025
Illinois Commencement
1:00 p.m.
August 16, 2025
Minnesota Commencement
1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
October 18, 2025
Florida Commencement
11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Minnesota Undergraduate Commencement Live Stream
Invite your family and friends from anywhere to celebrate your graduation ceremony with you! Share this page or the specific live stream link to make sure they can join shortly before the commencement ceremony begins.
Minnesota Graduate and Nursing Program Commencement Live Stream
Invite your family and friends from anywhere to celebrate your graduation ceremony with you! Share this page or the specific live stream link to make sure they can join shortly before the commencement ceremony begins.
Illinois Graduation Commencement Information
Minnesota Graduation Commencement Information
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Minnesota Commencement Important Dates
Ceremony Date
Saturday, August 16, 2025
1:00 p.m.: Undergraduate programs (excluding Nursing)5:00 p.m.: Graduate programs and Nursing programs
Graduates should report to the designated lineup area one hour prior to the ceremony.
The ceremony will take about two hours. It is expected that you stay the entire time and cheer on your fellow graduates. You've all worked diligently to get here—let's celebrate together and make sure every single graduate gets recognized for this accomplishment and receives our support.
Commencement Timeline & Regalia
June 20: Deadline for student speaker interest via registration form
July 18: Graduate registration deadline
July 24: Registered graduates receive email communication from Rasmussen about ticket information
August 1: Deadline to order regalia through Graduation Source
Participating in the commencement ceremony is a celebration of your academic journey and achievements. Please note that graduation from Rasmussen will be conferred only after an academic audit verifies that you have successfully fulfilled all the requirements of your program.
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Minnesota Ceremony Details
Ceremony Details
Orchestra Hall
1111 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403Please allow plenty of time for parking and entering the venue.
Commencement Ceremony Snapshot
A complete ceremony timeline will be included in future graduate communications, but a graduation ceremony snapshot looks like this:- Graduate and faculty processional
- Welcome and remarks
- Rasmussen Leadership
- Graduate speakers
- Keynote speaker
- Conferral of degrees
- Graduate recognition
- Close and recessional
We encourage graduates to stay for the entire ceremony to show their support for every single graduate. You've all worked incredibly hard to get here, let's share our pride together!
Getting There and Parking
Orchestra Hall is in downtown Minneapolis. A portion of I-94 through Minneapolis is going to be closed or reduced lanes from 35W to Huron Blvd for most of the summer. Please plan ahead now with a map app to find alternative routes should this construction impact your drive. See a map of the ongoing construction.
Learn more about parking options and driving directions.
Prohibited Items and Bag Policy
The safety of our graduates, their guests and our staff are our top priority. Security and police will be on-site to help ensure a safe environment for everyone.For safety and speed of entry, large bags or items are discouraged. All backpack-size or larger items are subject to search; medical bags and parenting bags are permitted and subject to search.
Prohibited items may include strollers (stroller area outside theater provided), noisemakers, balloons, large signs, confetti, etc. Read full details of the bag policy and prohibited items.
Photography
Grad Images will be on-site to take professional photos before and during the ceremony, including your moment on stage. Photos will be available for purchase online 72 hours after the event.
Receive 20% off your graduation photos when you pre-register with Grad Images.
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Minnesota Orchestra Hall Guest Seating
Guest Seating
Rasmussen University will honor approximately 500 graduates spread across two commencement ceremonies at Orchestra Hall. Given the high number of registrations, the ceremony will be ticketed and every guest over the age of two will need a ticket for entry.
Guest Ticket Information
Graduates are allowed a limited number of guest tickets. Graduates do not need a ticket. All tickets are free of cost.
Registered graduates will receive an email communication about how to claim their guest tickets on July 24.
You will need your Rasmussen student email address to access guest tickets. This promo code is only valid for one use, so please review your contact details and ticket amount before confirming your order.
For guests who can’t attend, share the livestream link once it becomes available on this page before the ceremony.
Claiming Your Guest Tickets
If you’re ready now, you can secure your tickets in a few simple steps (or check your email for more information):
- Visit the Orchestra Hall webpage and enter your Rasmussen student email address as the promo code.
- Select the number of tickets you need for each guest older than the age of two.
- Confirm your checkout order as a guest or make an account.
- Receive your PDF tickets via email. Tickets are non-transferrable between ceremonies and guests. Please make sure each guest uses a separate ticket. We recommend printing your tickets for ease of entry.
For ticketing assistance through phone or email, contact the Orchestra Hall. Available Tuesday–Friday at 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (Central). Starting August 5, hours change to 10 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (Central).
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Minneapolis Travel Information
Travel Details
Join fellow attendees at one of our partner hotels! Rasmussen has secured discounted rates at several nearby locations:
- Doubletree
- Hilton Garden Inn
- Holiday Inn Express Minneapolis
- Guests may also call directly at either 612-341-3300 or 1-800-870-0014 and mention the Rasmussen Commencement, or group code RAS.
- Hilton Minneapolis
Explore Minneapolis
Minneapolis is a vibrant city with something to offer everyone, especially in the summer. While you’re in town for your commencement ceremony, you’ll find plenty to do beyond the celebrations. Enjoy the city’s many parks, gardens, lakes and Mississippi River views, attend a baseball game at Target Field, or visit one of the many museums and art galleries. Check out more things to do in Minneapolis on the Meet Minneapolis page.
Florida Graduation Commencement Information
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Florida Commencement Important Dates
Ceremony Date
Saturday, October 18, 2025
11:00 a.m.: Undergraduate programs (excluding Nursing)3:00 p.m.: Graduate programs and Nursing programs
Graduates should report to the designated lineup area one hour prior to the ceremony.
Participating in the commencement ceremony is a celebration of your academic journey and achievements. Please note that graduation from Rasmussen will be conferred only after an academic audit verifies that you have successfully fulfilled all the requirements of your program.
Commencement Timeline & Regalia
August 15: Deadline for student speaker interest via registration form
September 19: Graduate registration deadline
October 3: Deadline to order regalia through Graduation Source
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Florida Ceremony Details
Ceremony Details
Yuengling Center
12499 USF Bull Run Drive
Tampa, FL 33617Please allow plenty of time for parking and entering the venue.
Commencement Ceremony Snapshot
A complete ceremony timeline will be included in future graduate communications, but a graduation ceremony snapshot looks like this:- Graduate and faculty processional
- Welcome and remarks
- Rasmussen Leadership
- Graduate speakers
- Keynote speaker
- Conferral of degrees
- Graduate recognition
- Close and recessional
Guest Seating
Rasmussen University will honor approximately 1,200 graduates spread across two commencement ceremonies. The ceremony will be ticketed, and guest seating is general admission. We estimate each graduate will be allowed up to 6 guest tickets. Registered graduates will receive an email communication about how to claim their guest tickets about one month prior to the ceremony.
Yuengling Center is committed to providing accessible experiences for all guest to ensure that everyone can enjoy their events. Find more venue information, including ADA seating.
Additional Venue Information
Learn more about parking options and driving directions.Prohibited Items and Bag Policy
Read full details of the bag policy and prohibited items.Photography
Grad Images will be on-site to take professional photos before and during the ceremony, including your moment on stage. Photos will be available for purchase online 72 hours after the event.
Receive 20% off your graduation photos when you pre-register with Grad Images.
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Tampa Travel Information
Travel Details
Join fellow attendees at one of our partner hotels! Rasmussen has secured discounted rates at several nearby locations:
Explore Tampa
Make the most of your trip to the Tampa area by exploring the vibrant Riverwalk, delving into local history at the Tampa Bay History Center, or attend an event at the Raymond James Stadium (where the Buccaneers play). Art lovers can visit the Tampa Museum of Art, while thrill-seekers can head to Busch Gardens. Looking for somewhere to relax? The Clearwater Beach is a must. Discover how Tampa Bay has something for everyone.
Graduate in Style: Commencement Regalia
Academic regalia, worn by graduates and University leaders, is among the oldest and most cherished traditions of commencement. Regalia, including cap, gown, tassel and graduation stole, must be worn to participate in a Rasmussen commencement ceremony. Any special honors cord you’ve earned will be available for pickup during the commencement check-in and will be worn throughout the ceremony. Honors will be based on the quarter prior to commencement, not necessarily what you graduate with.
Graduates who choose to virtually attend commencement are not required to wear regalia but may choose to do so.
Place your order through Graduation Source no later than two weeks prior to your ceremony.
