Convocation

All students who meet the criteria described below are also eligible to participate in University Commencement.

PhD/DMA students

You are eligible to participate in the May 2023 Doctoral Convocation and the May 2023 University Commencement if:

• Your degree is conferred in October 2022 or February 2023, or
• You complete deposit of your dissertation by the deposit deadline for the May 2023 conferral, or
• If you expect to complete deposit of your dissertation by Friday, October 13, 2023, the deposit deadline for the October 2023 conferral, you may choose to participate in either the May 2023 or May 2024 graduation ceremonies.

You are eligible to participate in the May 2023 University Commencement Ceremony if:

• Your degree was already conferred in October 2022 or February 2023, or
• You complete deposit of your dissertation by the deposit deadline for the May 2023 conferral, or
• If you expect to complete deposit of your dissertation by Friday, October 13, 2023, the deposit deadline for the October 2023 conferral, you may choose to participate in either the May 2023 or May 2024 graduation ceremonies.

MA students

You are eligible to participate in both the May 2023 Master’s Convocation Ceremony and the May 2023 University Commencement if:

• Your degree is conferred in October 2022 or February 2023,
• You expect your degree to be conferred in May 2023 and you file an application for the MA with the Registrar, or
• You expect your degree to be conferred in October 2023 and you submit a program-approved Graduation Ceremonies Participation Petition to the GSAS Office of Student Affairs by April 1, 2023. (Note: This petition form does not substitute for the mandatory application for the MA degree, which you must still file with the Registrar by its deadline for October degree conferral.)

Note: Participation in GSAS Convocation and University Commencement does not constitute conferral of a Columbia degree.

GSAS Convocation

If you are planning to participate in GSAS Convocation on Sunday, May 14, 2023, you must register for GSAS Convocation by Friday, March 31, 2023. GSAS uses this registration information to prepare materials for GSAS Convocation and to send you important details regarding the event, including how to ensure that your name is pronounced correctly during the ceremony, how to access to the University Commencement ticketing system, and how to account for your guests.

• Register for GSAS Convocation

University Commencement

Although tickets are not required for graduates who are wearing academic regalia and carrying a Columbia ID card, tickets are required for guests. Please refer to the University Commencement website to view Commencement Day instructions and information for graduates and guests.

Columbia University is committed to protecting the health and safety of its community. To that end, all graduates, visiting alumni, and guests must meet the University requirement of full vaccination status in order to attend in-person Commencement events this May. Vaccination cards will be checked upon entry to all outdoor and indoor venues. You can find more information about Columbia University COVID-19 protocols for Commencement-week events here.

All students who wish to participate in University Commencement on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, must register for GSAS Convocation by Friday, March 31, 2023 (see above) to become eligible to access the University’s Commencement registration system.

You will receive an email from the GSAS Office of Student Affairs in April 2023 when you are eligible to access the University Commencement ticketing system.

Once notified, ensure that your guests' plans are finalized before reserving tickets because you may access the University Commencement ticketing system only once. Reserve tickets here ​​​​​​. You may follow the instructions in the email from GSAS Office of Student Affairs to register for University Commencement and request up to two guest tickets, which will be distributed electronically. Please be considerate to your fellow graduates and reserve only the number of guest tickets that you intend to use.

If you have difficulty registering through the online system, write to [email protected].

Yes. Please refer to the Convocation FAQ page for more information.

Name cards are required for GSAS Convocation and are used to announce your name as you cross the stage. When you register for GSAS Convocation (see above), you will be able to provide notes on the proper pronunciation of your name. Professional photographers will also use these name cards to identify the student in each photograph.

You may pick up your name card in person in 107 Low Library the week prior to Convocation (May 10 and 11, 9:15 a.m. - 6 p.m.; May 12, 9:15 a.m. - 5 p.m.). If you are unable to collect your name card in advance, or have forgotten or lost your name card, you may obtain a copy at the designated table in Lerner Hall on the day of Convocation.

Diplomas will be mailed following graduation to the "Diploma (DP) Address" that is on file, based on each graduate’s degree conferral date. Verify or update your DP address on Student Services Online (SSOL). Please contact [email protected] with any additional questions.

A professional photograph of each degree recipient will be available for purchase. The official event photographers will contact graduates via email in the days following Convocation, using information on the student's name card.

GSAS Convocations will be livestreamed by the University at this link on the University Commencement website.

You can find information about Columbia University COVID-19 protocols for Commencement-week events here.