Main Ceremony

• The main ceremony features the commencement speaker, president, and other notable speakers and honorees. Students will be recognized alongside their school or college. All graduates and six of their guests are invited. Please see the ticketing section below for additional details.
• The individual school, college, or department ceremony is where students individually walk across the stage and have their names read. The event is managed by the graduates’ school, college, or academic department. See the School and College Ceremonies page for additional details.

All graduates who completed their degrees in summer 2023, fall 2023, or are on track to complete their degree in spring of 2024 are eligible to attend.

Graduates must complete all the requirements for graduation and apply to graduate through the Office of the Registrar.

See the Accessibility page for additional information.

GradImages, the university’s official photographer, will take photographs of each graduate at the main ceremony. While there is no obligation to purchase the prints, the graduate will receive color proofs emailed approximately two weeks after commencement. To receive the proofs, be sure to complete the company’s address card distributed in the line-up area before the procession.

The main commencement ceremony will be both recorded and live-streamed. Check here or commencement.umd.edu on Monday, May 20, 2024 for the link to the live stream.

See the Regalia Information page for details on ordering.

Yes, regalia must be worn to participate in any ceremony.

Yes, cap decorating is permitted. Please see the prohibited items list. Keep in mind signage, apparel, or other Items that display, depict, or represent recognizable symbols and/or words, including nooses and swastikas, that incite, intimidate, or threaten members of the University of Maryland community.

• Main ceremony: Each graduate is eligible to claim six guest tickets and one personal ticket to the main
  ceremony. Tickets will be available to claim on April 15, 2024 via the Athletics student ticket site. Graduates should click "Sign In as Student" to claim their tickets.
  
  Learn more about the mobile ticketing system and how to transfer your tickets to guests here.
  
  
• Individual school, college, or department ceremonies: Most individual ceremonies do not require tickets and do not have a guest limit. If you have questions about this, please contact your school, college, or department.

No. While tickets may list a seat and section number, guests can sit in any open section of the stadium.

The Athletics Ticketing Office can troubleshoot technical issues with ticket claims. You can call the office at 1-800-IM-A-TERP

The University is growing, which means there are several construction projects on and off-campus. Please plan for traffic delays and plan to arrive early, and use free campus shuttles as needed.

• Graduates: Please plan to arrive at the Cole Student Activities Building for the processional lineup at 4:30 p.m. More detailed instructions will be sent to graduates via email.
• Guests: Gates to SECU Stadium will open at 5:00 p.m.

• Graduates: Graduates will be screened with metal detection upon arrival. Please be aware that there are no secure storage locations for any personal items during the ceremony. Graduates should carry all personal items, or leave them off-site. Graduates are encouraged to bring an empty personal water bottle, water will be provided during processional lineup

• Guests: Guests will be screened with metal detection upon arrival. See bag and other policies below.

• Graduates - Graduates should bring only necessary items they can carry with them throughout the ceremony. Clutch-sized bags no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" are permitted and do not have to be clear. Backpacks and bags larger than 4.5"x6.5" are prohibited.
  
• Guests - Bags are permitted and do not have to be clear, They will be searched, which can delay entry, so we recommend avoiding bags if possible. Backpacks and bags larger than 8" x 11" x 12" are prohibited.

• Artificial Noisemakers
• Balloons
• Dangerous or Disruptive Behavior
• Fireworks / Firearms
• Flammables of any kind
• Illegal Substances
• Laser Pointers
• Outside Food or Drink of any kind*
• Pass-Outs / Re-Entry
• Pets*
• Resale of Ticket
• Sign Poles or Sign Sticks
• Signage, Apparel or other Items that display, depict or represent recognizable symbols and/or words, including nooses and swastikas, that incite, intimidate, or threaten members of the University of Maryland community.
• Skateboards / Bicycles
• Smoking
• Soliciting / Loitering / Trespassing
• Strollers
• Umbrellas
• Video Cameras
• Weapons (both real and facsimiles)
• Any other items or actions deemed dangerous or disruptive to the fan experience

*Exceptions will be made for those with medical requirements and/or special needs.

The University is growing, which means there are several construction projects on and off-campus. Please plan for traffic delays and plan to arrive early and use free campus shuttles as needed.

Parking permits are not required, and meters will be turned off, on campus from May 20-22. Shuttles will be provided for all ceremony sites by Shuttle-UM, a transportation map with route details will be available soon. Be sure to obey all posted signage throughout campus, as details may change. A detailed parking and transportation map is available here for download.

• No, diplomas will be mailed to the address listed when applying for graduation via TESTUDO. For any questions about your diploma, please contact Diploma Services: 301.314.8270 / diploma@umd.edu.
• You will receive a commemorative gift at your individual school, college, or department ceremony.

For questions about the main ceremony, contact the office of special events at commencement@umd.edu. For questions about your school, college, or department ceremony, contact your ceremony coordinator.

• All eligible graduates are automatically registered to receive commencement update emails. No further action is needed
• Guests who wish to receive commencement update emails may sign up using this form.

The university does not issue invitation letters for guests to visit the U.S. to attend commencement ceremonies. These letters are not required by the embassy to issue a B2 visa, which is designated for tourist activities such as sightseeing, visiting friends and relatives, and obtaining medical treatment.

The graduating student should submit a copy of their I-20 or DS-2019 to the relative applying for the tourist visa. Students can also send an Enrollment Verification Certificate along with a copy of their passport. An Enrollment Verification Certificate can be requested from the Office of the Registrar.

In the event of a weather delay, the main ceremony will be moved to Tuesday, May 21. The student processional will begin at 6 p.m.