UMass Boston

There will be a total of three Commencement ceremonies this year:

Doctoral Hooding

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.
Campus Center Ballroom, 3rd Floor

This ceremony is for students receiving a doctoral degree. Only faculty who are hooding doctoral candidates will take part in the formal ceremony. Other faculty members who are not hooding may march in the academic procession and sit in a reserved section in the ballroom. However, due to limited space, faculty and other members of campus are encouraged to view the ceremony in one of the satellite viewing areas in the Campus Center or streaming on the UMass Boston website. All faculty must RSVP for this event.

Graduate Commencement

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.
University of Massachusetts Boston, Campus Center Lawn

This ceremony is for students receiving doctoral and master’s degrees, certificates of advanced graduate study (CAGS and EDS), and post-master’s certificates. Faculty are encouraged to wear regalia and participate in the academic procession. Faculty participating in the academic procession will be seated on stage. All faculty must RSVP for this event.

Undergraduate Ceremony

Thursday, May 23, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.
University of Massachusetts Boston, Campus Center Lawn

This ceremony is for students receiving bachelor's degrees. Faculty are encouraged to wear academic regalia and participate in the academic procession. Faculty participating in the academic procession will be seated on stage. All faculty must RSVP for this event.

The academic procession is one of the oldest university traditions and is widely viewed as a symbol of our collective dedication to the development of knowledge and academic inquiry. In accordance with article 15.9 of the FSU collective bargaining agreement, Faculty are all expected to be a part of our academic procession. 

RSVP Here

REGALIA

If plan to march in the academic procession, and you do not have your own academic regalia, you may rent regalia for the day from Balfour. Please note that the university does not pay for the purchase or rental of regalia for faculty members. 

Please keep the box your order is delivered in, as you will need the box and the accompanying return shipping label inside to return your rental to Balfour.

Place your rental order online through Balfour's Online Order form. The deadline for placing rental orders is Sunday, April 7, 2024.

RETIRED FACULTY MEMBERS

If you are retired faculty, you are invited to participate in or attend the commencement ceremonies. You must complete a registration form to indicate your attendance plans so that we can ensure seating for you.

RSVP Here

If you have any questions regarding the commencement ceremony, please contact University Events & Ceremonies at events@umb.edu or 617-287-5313.