UMass Boston

Where and when will commencement take place?

The all-college doctoral hooding ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in the Campus Center 3rd Floor Ballroom. 

The graduate commencement ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. Students receiving doctoral and master’s degrees, certificates of advanced graduate study (CAGS) and post-master’s certificates will be invited to participate in this program. This ceremony will take place at the University of Massachusetts Boston, Campus Center Lawn, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA, 02125. 

The undergraduate commencement ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. Students receiving bachelor’s degrees will be invited to participate in this program. This ceremony will take place at the University of Massachusetts Boston, Campus Center Lawn, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA, 02125. 

If you have questions about either ceremony, please contact University Events at 617-287-5313 or events@umb.edu. 

What do I have to do to participate? 

Both undergraduate students and graduate students must declare their intent to graduate by filing for graduation in WISER by Friday, March 10, 2023.  For December 2022 graduates the deadline to file was October 21, 2022. For May 2023 and August 2023, graduates the deadline to file is March 10, 2023. 

Once you file, you’re on “the list” which means you will receive emails and other notifications regarding how to register for the ceremony, how to order your cap and gown, and other information pertinent to the ceremonies. You will receive instructions on confirming your attendance and name at the ceremony through Marching Order.

A complete explanation of filing for graduation can be found on the registrar's website. If you have further questions about degree requirements or the degree review process, undergraduate students can email ugrad@umb.edu and graduate students can email graduate.records@umb.edu.

ALL STUDENTS WHO HAVE FILED WILL BE RECEIVING EMAILS FROM "Marching Order" (third party vendor and THE OFFICE OF UNIVERSITY EVENTS AND CEREMONIES (via events@umb.edu).

When do I get my diploma, and what will be on it?

December 2022 graduates will get their diploma via mail to the graduate’s address in WISER by March. May 2023 graduates will get their diploma via mail to the graduate's address in WISER by August.  August 2023 graduates will receive their diploma by November 2023. Your diploma will state the type of degree earned (Master's or Bachelor's), your date of degree conferral, university honors if applicable, and the major(s) pursued. The name printed on your diploma will be the name listed in WISER.  It will not be the name you submit on Marching Order for the ceremony. Diplomas are mailed directly from the diploma company to your mailing address. To ensure delivery, make sure all contact info is up to date in WISER; and if you are moving, be sure to set up the appropriate mail forwarding services with your post office. 

How can I obtain an electronic copy of my diploma?

The University of Massachusetts Boston now offers Certified Electronic Diploma and Certificates (CeDiploma/CeCertificate). Please click here for more information on how to order and download your diploma.

What if I completed my requirements during the fall 2022 semester?

The University of Massachusetts Boston holds commencement exercises in the spring semester only. This celebration recognizes fall 2022, spring 2023 and summer 2023 graduates. Any student who has fulfilled their requirements during the fall 2022 semester or anticipates fulfilling requirements in the spring 2023 or summer 2023 semesters is invited to participate in the 2023 Commencement. Fall 2022 graduates will have their diploma mailed to them in the coming spring, and all students who have filed will receive information about the ceremony.  

What if I won't complete my requirements until August 2023? 

You will still walk in the May 2023 ceremony providing that you had filed to graduate with the Registrar's Office.

If I can't attend the ceremony this May, can I walk next May?

Students are invited to walk in the ceremony for the year they file. If a graduate files for December 2022, May 2023, or August 2023 they will only be on the May 2023 commencement list and only able to participate in that ceremony, not future ceremonies. 

How do I get my cap and gown (academic regalia)?

Academic apparel will be available for graduating students and will be mailed to your home address. In March, you will receive an email with instructions on how to obtain your regalia. The deadline to order will be Friday, April 7, 2023.  

Do I have to pay for my cap and gown? 

No, you will not be charged for your academic regalia or for the shipping. The degree processing fee covers this expense. The fee is listed on the Bursar’s website.

How do I look up my student ID?

Visit the Student ID Lookup website to obtain your student ID. You'll need your ID number to order your cap and gown.

What color tassel or hood will I get?

It depends on which college you are graduating from. Please review this list to see which color tassel or hood you will be receiving.

How do I get my cord or stole?

The university does not give cords based on grade point average. Certain associations, departments, and clubs on campus may distribute cords and stoles. Honors cords and/or stoles are distributed by specific affiliations. Please check with your affiliations.

I do not plan on attending the commencement ceremony. Do I still have to apply for graduation and pay the graduation processing fee?

Yes. All students must apply for graduation and pay the graduation processing fee in order to complete their degree requirements, have their degree awarded, and receive their diploma. The graduation processing fee is a one-time, non-refundable fee that is added to your student account when you apply to graduate. This fee includes costs related to diplomas, academic regalia, publications, convocation and commencement ceremony expenses. Attending commencement is not mandatory.

What college am I in?

The University of Massachusetts Boston has 7 colleges and an Honors College. Please review this list to see which college you belong to. If you have a double major in two different colleges you may pick up a tassel for each, but you can only march and sit with one of the colleges during the ceremony.

Where can I purchase a class ring?

Click here to shop class rings.

I have guests coming from outside the U.S. Can you help with that?

Please visit the Registrar's website to review the graduation letter request form. 

What about my Graduation Portraits?

Graduation portraits can be taken on campus by scheduling an appointment at www.ouryear.com, or by calling 1-800.687.9327 during normal business hours. The UMass Boston access code is 246 and the link is active one week before the first picture date. Portraits will be taken in your dress clothes, and cap & gown (which will be provided). There is no cost to have your portrait taken; photographs will be available for purchase according to your personal portrait needs. Don’t forget that you can use these portraits for your Professional Networking and Job Search sites. Our Year will be available on campus: Monday – Friday, March 20-24, March 27- March 31, and April 3-April 7. The sessions will be scheduled between 9:30 am – 5:30 pm in the McCormack, 1st Floor, Room 002, Harbor Art Event Space. 

Will the commencement ceremonies be livestreamed?

Yes, the ceremonies are livestreamed every year. Here are the links:

Doctoral Hooding: umb.edu/doc23

Graduate Ceremony: umb.edu/grad23

Undergraduate Ceremony: umb.edu/ugrad23

Will there be indoor viewing locations?

Yes, the ceremony will be live-streamed on large projection screens in University Hall and the Campus Center. Viewing will be available in the University Hall auditoriums and certain rooms on the first and second floor, as well as on all screens in the Campus Center, including in the Food Court. On Thursday, the Ballroom will also be available for indoor viewing. Signage and staff will direct guests to the locations on commencement day. These indoor locations will not be ticketed.

How do I get my electronic tickets?

Beginning at 11 AM on Wednesday, March 15, graduates will be able to log into Marching Order to claim their allotted guest tickets electronically. Once you log into Marching Order and access the registration form, at the bottom, you will be able to claim your allotted guest tickets. After submitting the form, you will have the option to print your guests’ tickets or to email them directly to your guests.   

How many tickets do I get?

Each Doctoral, CAGS, EDS, Post-Masters, and Masters candidate for the GRADUATE ceremony on May 24 at the University of Massachusetts Boston will receive 5 tickets. * Doctoral candidates will receive 3 tickets for the separate hooding ceremony that will take place on Wednesday, May 24 at the Campus Center Ballroom.

Each Bachelors candidate for the UNDERGRADUATE ceremony on May 25 at the University of Massachusetts Boston will receive 4 tickets.

Again, this year, we are projecting the largest graduating class in UMass Boston history. Because of this growth, seating is limited at both ceremonies, to ensure the comfort and safety of everyone. Ticket allocation has been based on the estimated number of participants at each ceremony. Graduates themselves do not need tickets, but their guests do.

Commencement
100 Morrissey Blvd.
Boston, MA 02125-3393 USA
617.287.5000
Maps & Directions

See Also
For more information about the ceremony, contact the Office of University Events at events@umb.edu or 617.287.5313