• Verify your graduation eligibility by visiting the RSVP & Eligibility tab.
• Registration will open in the coming weeks. If you have an RSVP inquiry, please contact the Commencement Team at commencement@trident.edu
• Make travel reservations in advance: • Flight • Hotel • Car Rental
• Caps, gowns, or other regalia will not be available for purchase at the event. Be sure to order your regalia by the deadline.
• We recommend ordering announcements and invitations at least 3 weeks in advance.
• Check your email regularly for commencement updates.
• Be on the lookout for the Facebook Event page to share your graduation plans and connect with your fellow graduates!
• Bring a photo ID card, pre-pay parking, and don’t forget your regalia!

Registration for Trident’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony is now OPEN. Please RSVP using the link below before the September 13th RSVP deadline.

RSVP Here

Regalia will be required to participate in the in-person ceremony. Jostens is the official vendor for Trident University International and must be ordered before the registration cutoff. More details on how to order your regalia will be communicated once it is available.

Jostens: Trident University International

What happens after I RSVP?
Once you have submitted your RSVP, the Registrar’s Office will review your eligibility for participation, which may take up to two weeks. All approved participant names will appear on the Provided List.

If you do not see your name on the list after two weeks and wish to inquire, please contact the Commencement Team at: commencement@trident.edu.

If your name appears on the list, you are cleared for participation. Congratulations, we can't wait to celebrate with you at the 2024 Commencement Ceremony!

When is the deadline for ordering regalia? The deadline to order your regalia is Friday, September 13th, 2024.

How do I order my regalia?
Regalia is required to participate in the ceremony. Graduates can purchase the cap and gown regalia package for their degree from our official regalia and graduation memorabilia partner, Jostens.

If you have registered for the ceremony but still need to purchase your cap & gown, please call Jostens at 800-854-7464 to place your order by phone or visit the online store at the link below. Please note that rush delivery fees may be applied for orders made after the registration cutoff.

Visit Jostens School Store:

https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/2965513/Trident-University-International/

Regalia Order Instructions:

• Scroll down to “Graduation Products” and click “SHOP.”
• Scroll down to “Graduation Caps & Gowns” and click “SHOP.”
• Select the package based on your highest degree earned. Stoles are available for purchase but are not required.
• Enter “GOWN FIT” (your height/weight)
• Enter “MAJOR/CURRICULUM” (your program of study)
• Click “Continue” and “Add to Cart”
• Complete the Checkout information and click “CHECKOUT.”

Doctoral Students & MA Education Students ONLY:
Doctoral and MA Education graduates who will be teaching at a university may wish to purchase higher quality regalia because they will be wearing it more than once in the coming years as they participate in commencement ceremonies each year.

If you would like to purchase higher quality regalia, please visit the Jostens link below.

Jostens: Trident Fine Quality Regalia

Academic Honor Cords:
If applicable, Academic Honor cords will be provided to you when you check in for your ceremony. Because your program CGPA must be calculated once your program is fully completed to know your Honors status, it is possible your final Honors status may not be the same as your status as of the Commencement ceremony date. The following outlines the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) required to receive Academic Honors:

Americana Military Cords

Active Duty, Reserve, and Veteran Trident Graduates are eligible to receive the red/white/blue Americana cord. A cord can be given if they indicate military status, even if not marked on the list.

Doctoral level students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 to remain in their program. Therefore, academic honors distinctions are not assigned at the Doctoral level. Academic Certificate programs are not eligible for graduation with honors.

What are Trident's colors? What color should my regalia be?
Trident University's school colors are navy blue and "old" gold. All Trident caps and gowns are navy blue. Masters and doctoral hoods are black on one side with navy blue and old gold panels and a velvet strip of material in the color of the graduate's degree / discipline.

Can I decorate the top of my mortarboard cap?
Yes, so long as the decoration is limited to the top of the cap, is not distracting or cumbersome, and is family-friendly.

Can I wear a fraternity/sorority sash or cord with my Trident regalia?
Yes, so long as it does not obscure any Trident regalia pieces such as the hood or stole of achievement, which should always remain on top.

You can place an online order for your Trident class ring. If you have any questions about your ring order, please contact our representative, Ms. Maryann Bettendorf, at 657-220-5038 or mabettendorf@yahoo.com.

We are excited to announce that a special edition 2024 presidential coin will be given to each Trident graduate in attendance.

You can place an online order for your Trident Graduation announcements and invitations. If you have questions, call 800-433-0296.

You can place an online order for frames for your diploma or graduation photographs.

How do I order tickets?
There are no tickets for this event and seating will be on a first-come-first-serve basis. We ask that you limit your guest list to seven or less, to allow the opportunity for all graduates to have guests in attendance to celebrate their academic achievement. All Graduates have the opportunity to reserve up to 7 guest seats when registering for the event. We will use this submission to gauge audience size against capacity.

How many guests can I invite?
Each graduate has the opportunity to reserve up to 7 seats for family and friends when they submit an RSVP

Does the graduating student need a ticket?
The graduating student does not need a ticket.

Is seating assigned?
No. This year’s event is general admission. Each graduate can invite up to 7 guests.

What if I need special accommodations for myself or a guest.
If you need special accommodations for yourself or guests, please contact Commencement@trident.edu as soon as possible.

I am bringing an infant or small child. Do they need a ticket?
No, tickets are not required for this event. There will be a designated space in the galleria for stroller parking.

Will there be a place for me to keep my purse / bag / other belongings if I am walking in the ceremony?
No, there will not be a secure location for you to leave your belongings while you are walking in and attending the ceremony. We ask that you leave any belongings with your guests so that you do not have to carry them in the procession.

Can my guests have balloons or signs in the audience?
No balloons or signs are allowed in the theater as they may block the view for other guests.

What is the address for the venue?
The ceremony will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC), in the Georgia Ballroom

Georgia World Congress Center
Georgia Ballroom/Building C
285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30313

How was Atlanta selected as this year’s commencement location?
It was the Commencement Planning Team’s goal to consider all AIUS Graduate points of view in the city selection this year, which is why we conducted our first ever location survey in January 2024. Based on nearly 900 survey responses, Atlanta, GA, was identified as the preferred location of eligible graduates by a 15% margin.

While we understand that the survey results may not align with your preference, we do sincerely hope that you can participate and celebrate your accomplishment with us in Atlanta this October. If you are not able to join in person, we are pleased to share that all 2024 Graduates will be invited to participate in a virtual commencement ceremony in January 2025. Details on this event will be released later in the year. Furthermore, graduates are welcome to attend any future ceremony following the completion of their degree. If next year better aligns with your personal or professional schedule, you are welcome to walk the stage then or any year thereafter.

How do I get to the venue?
The ceremony will take place in the Georgia Ballroom, inside the Georgia World Congress Center, located at 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313. View routes for public transportation and driving directions below, or Click here for Google Maps, and enter your starting point.

Public Transportation
MARTA

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is Atlanta's public transportation system comprised of a bus and rail system that connects all parts of Atlanta. A single $2.50 fare covers one-way bus or train trips, including transfers. Events in GWCC Building B can use the GWCC/CNN Station (W-1).

If you are coming from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, MARTA has a rail station located at the north end of the airport, near baggage claim.

Atlanta Streetcar

Attendees staying in the downtown area can board the Streetcar at one of the 12 stops along the route. The nearest stop to the GWCC Building B is the Centennial Olympic Park stop, which is about 1/2 mile (roughly a 10 minute walk) to the Building B entrance.

Visit the streetcar website for fare, schedule, and safety information. You’ll also find a list of things to see and do in Downtown Atlanta that are easily accessible from the Atlanta Streetcar.

Taxi/Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

A taxi stand is located just across from the Building B entrance at 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW. TIP! You can tell a driver to plug in the "GWCC Building B Bike Rack" location to bring you to the correct spot!

Driving Directions From the North:

I-75/85 South. Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 249C toward World Congress Center (.3mi). Turn right onto Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW (.7mi). Turn left on Northside Dr NW (.7mi). Turn left onto Mitchell St SW/M.L.K. Jr Dr SW (.1mi). Slight right onto Mitchell St SW (423ft). Turn left at the 1st cross street on Mangum St SW.

From the South:

I-75/85 North. Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 246 for Central Ave toward Downtown (.5mi). Merge onto Central Ave SW (.6mi). Turn left onto Trinity Ave SW (.3mi). Turn right onto Forsyth St SW (213ft). Turn left onto Nelson St SW (492ft). Turn right onto Ted Turner Dr SW (282ft). Turn left at the 1st cross street onto Mitchell St SW (.2mi). Turn right onto Mangum St SW.

From the West:

I-20 East. Use 2nd from the right lane to take exit 56B for Windsor St toward Turner Field/Spring St (.3mi). Use left 2 lanes to turn left onto Windsor St SW (.1mi). Continue onto Ted Turner Dr SW (.5mi). Turn left onto Mitchell St Sw (.2mi). Turn right onto Mangum St SW.

From the East:

I-20 West. Take exit 56B for Windsor St/Spring St (.6mi). Use left 2 lanes to turn left onto Ted Turner Dr SW (.6mi). Turn left onto Mitchell St Sw (.2mi). Turn right onto Mangum St SW.

How much is parking
Prices for parking at GWCC fluctuate depending on other events happening on their campus on that day. Attendees can reserve and pre-pay for parking at the GWCC at a lower cost than paying the day of the event. This is strongly encouraged to save money on parking!

To pre-book parking, visit the following link: PLEASE NOTE - our event has not yet been added to the GWCC parking website. Once the parking is available to pre-purchase for our commencement event, we will provide an update!

https://gwcc.parkingguide.com/

What does the $150 Graduation Fee pay for?
The Graduation Fee is not related to the Commencement Ceremony. This fee covers costs associated with graduation processing. For example, completing the degree verification, updating external portals, and issuing a diploma and transcript. Please note that no diplomas will be awarded at the Commencement Ceremony – instead, you will receive your diploma and transcript in the mail after your degree audit has been completed.

How long does it take for my diploma to be mailed to me, do I have to wait until the commencement ceremony in October before it can be sent?
Normal delivery time is approximately 8 weeks from the end of the final session. However, from March to July our vendor experiences high volumes of diploma orders, so the delivery time may be extended to 10 weeks and rush requests are not permitted during this time.

Is there a digital version that can be emailed to me prior to receiving the printed version?
Yes, we send an electronic copy of your diploma to your primary personal email when we place the order for your physical copy. This occurs 4-6 weeks from the date grades post for your final session. If a previous graduate from Trident wants to order a digital copy, they can do so via Parchment for a nominal fee. All initial and duplicate diplomas moving forward will be from Trident University International with the current American InterContinental University System administration.

Will there be professional photography?
Yes, professional photographs will be taken during the Graduation Ceremony by Grad Images and made available to you to order online afterward. Please note that to maintain the formality of the Graduation Ceremony, guests are asked to remain seated. Also, only non-flash photography and video recordings on handheld devices will be allowed during the ceremony.

If you or some of your guests can’t make it to the in-person ceremony, the entire ceremony will be streamed live on Trident University International’s Facebook page, and You Tube channel. More Information on how to watch the 2024 Commencement Ceremony live will be released when it is available.

Trident has negotiated a group rate discount at the AC Hotel Atlanta Downtown, Springhill Suites Atlanta Downtown, Omni Hotel. Each hotel is within two miles of the Georgia World Congress Center. To secure these discounted rates, use the links below to book by the listed cutoff date. Please note that a limited number of rooms are available.

Reservations must be made by October 4th, 2024. A friendly reminder, the discounted rooms available are provided as accommodation for the event. It is important to understand that this is not a requirement by the institution to provide lodging, and guests are welcome to explore alternative accommodations if the discounted rooms under each block are fully booked.

Trident is not directly affiliated with the hotels listed. Any hotel policies, restrictions, limitations are at the sole discretion of the hotel and Trident cannot guarantee or authorize any reservations, cancellations, or other action taken by the hotel.

AC Hotel Atlanta Downtown
101 Andrew Young International Blvd NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
P: 404-524-5555
Discounted Rate: $179.00
Book your group rate for graduation

SpringHill Suites Atlanta Downtown
239 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd. NW Atlanta, GA 30313
P: 678-539-2900
Discounted Rate: $139-$169
Book your group rate for graduation

Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park
190 Marietta St. NW Atlanta, GA 30303
Discounted Rate: $189.00
Book your group rate for graduation

Discover the best ‘things to do’ in downtown Atlanta by visiting this recommended link during your commencement visit!

Downtown Atlanta Things To Do