Convocation FAQ

Now:
- Confirm your eligibility (see Eligibility section below).
- Confirm your mailing address to receive your diploma (See Diplomas section below).
Beginning on February 22: Order regalia. (See Regalia section below).
Beginning on April 16 at 8:00 am: Register for a graduate ticket for Columbia University Commencement through the Commencement ticketing system.
May 18: Check in and pick up your name card at Lerner Hall at 2920 Broadway.
- Enter the queue at the NE corner of 114th Street and Broadway.
- Wear your regalia.
- Pack light. There is no monitored area in which to store bags, and all bags are subject to a bag check at entry. See the full list of what you can and cannot bring.
- Bring CUID and, if you no longer have your CUID or it has been deactivated, a government-issued ID. Please arrive at the designated time for your ceremony:
  - PhD: 7:30 am
  - MA: 9:45 am

What is GSAS Doctoral Convocation?

GSAS Doctoral Convocation is a ceremony on Sunday, May 18, 2025, which celebrates the accomplishments of all DMA and PhD candidates in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. This ceremony is for doctoral graduates in Arts and Sciences programs administered by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences only. GSAS Dean Alonso is the Master of Ceremonies for Convocation, and each graduate has an opportunity to cross the stage in regalia and be hooded by a representative of the graduate’s department. Doctoral Convocation lasts approximately 60 minutes and is followed by a 90-minute reception. For more information, please review the recording of the 2023 GSAS Doctoral Convocation.

What is GSAS Master’s Convocation?

GSAS Master's Convocation is a ceremony on Sunday, May 18, 2025, which celebrates the accomplishments of all Master's candidates in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. The ceremony is for GSAS Master's graduates only. GSAS Dean Alonso is the Master of Ceremonies for Convocation, and each graduate has an opportunity to cross the stage in regalia. Master’s Convocation lasts approximately 90 minutes and is followed by a 90-minute reception. For more information, please review the recording of the 2023 GSAS Master's Convocation.

What is Columbia University Commencement?

Columbia University Commencement is the ceremony during which the President of Columbia University confers degrees on all 2025 graduates from across all Columbia schools. Schools are assigned areas in which to sit on and around Low Plaza. Graduates wear regalia but do not walk across the stage. For more information, please review the recording of the 2023 Columbia University Commencement.

Who will be the speaker at GSAS Doctoral Convocation?

Rubén L. Gonzalez Jr.
Dean of Science and Professor of Chemistry at Columbia University

Who will be the speaker at GSAS Master’s Convocation?

Matthew Hart
Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University

Will there be a student speaker at either Doctoral or Master’s Convocation?

Who will be the speaker at University Commencement?

The President of Columbia University is expected to be the speaker at University Commencement.

GSAS Convocations

The Thirty-ninth Doctoral Convocation of the Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Date: Sunday, May 18, 2025
Time: 8:30 am EDT

The Twenty-fifth Master’s Convocation of the Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Date: Sunday, May 18, 2025
Time: 11:30 am EDT

Where will GSAS Doctoral Convocation and GSAS Master’s Convocation be held?

GSAS Doctoral Convocation and GSAS Master’s Convocation will take place outdoors under a tent on the South Lawn of the Morningside campus. Each ceremony is followed immediately by a 90-minute reception on Ancell Plaza. View campus maps here.

What time should graduates arrive for Convocation?

PhD: Graduates arrive 7:30—8:00 am
MA: Graduates arrive 9:45—10:45 am

Where should graduates arrive for Convocation?

Lerner Hall through the Broadway entrance at 2920 Broadway

What time should guests arrive for Convocation?

PhD: Gates open at 7:30 am. The Procession starts promptly at 8:30 am.
MA: Gates open at 10:30 am. The Procession starts promptly at 11:30 am.

Where should guests arrive for Convocation?

General admission guests should line up at 115th Street and Amsterdam Avenue no earlier than 30 minutes before gates open. (PhD: gates open at 7:30 am for the 8:30 am Procession, MA: gates open at 10:30 am for the 11:30 am Procession.) The line will form along the sidewalk of Amsterdam Avenue.

Columbia University Commencement

The Columbia University Commencement of the 271st academic year.

Date: Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Time: 10:30 am

Where will Commencement be held?

Columbia University Commencement will take place outdoors, without a tent, in front of Low Library on the Morningside campus. View campus maps here.

What time should graduates arrive for Commencement?

8:00 am (tentative)

Where should graduates arrive for Commencement?

Please visit the Campus Maps page of the Commencement website and refer to the Assembly of Candidates Map to find graduating student entrances and line-up locations for the candidate procession that starts the University Commencement ceremony.

What time should guests arrive for Commencement?

8:00 am (tentative)

Where should guests arrive for Commencement?

Please visit the Campus Maps page of the Commencement website and refer to the University Commencement Entrances Map to find all available entrances to Morningside campus on Commencement Day.

Does this event take place rain or shine?

Yes

If you are planning to participate in GSAS Convocation and University Commencement in 2025, you must verify your eligibility and register for GSAS Convocation by Sunday, March 23, 2025.

You are eligible to participate in both the May 2025 Doctoral Convocation and the May 2025 University Commencement if:

Your degree is conferred in October 2024 or February 2025, or
You successfully defend your dissertation on or before Friday, May 16, 2025, or
You are scheduled to defend no later than Wednesday, May 21, 2025, and your Application for the Dissertation Defense form has been approved by GSAS

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

If you are planning to participate in GSAS Convocation and University Commencement in 2025, you must verify your eligibility and register for GSAS Convocation by Sunday, March 23, 2025.

You are eligible to participate in both the May 2025 Master’s Convocation and the May 2025 University Commencement if:

Your degree is conferred in October 2024 or February 2025,
You expect your degree to be conferred in May 2025 and you file an application for the MA with the Registrar, or
You expect your degree to be conferred in October 2025 and you submit a program-approved Graduation Ceremonies Participation Petition to the GSAS Office of Student Affairs by April 1, 2025. (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 the October degree conferral.) Please note: The names of students whose degrees will be conferred in October 2025 will be printed in the Convocation booklet in May 2026.

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

How can I obtain tickets?

If you are planning to participate in GSAS Convocation, you must verify your eligibility and register by Monday, March 31, 2025, to become eligible to access the ticketing system. Guests of graduating students cannot directly register for tickets. Only graduates are able to obtain guest tickets on behalf of their guest(s). All tickets will be distributed electronically, and graduates are responsible for distributing tickets to their guests directly.

All eligible graduates will receive a notification in early April from the GSAS Office of Student Affairs with instructions on how to access the ticketing system.

Verify your eligibility and register here.

How many tickets may I obtain for GSAS Convocation?

Graduates do NOT need a ticket to attend GSAS Convocation. Graduating students may obtain up to eight (8) guest tickets for GSAS Convocation.

Morningside campus will be closed to the general public on the day of GSAS Convocation, and guests will only be admitted to the specific ceremony and location indicated on their assigned ticket.

How many tickets may I obtain for Columbia University Commencement?

Every graduating student participating in University Commencement must obtain a graduate ticket through the ticketing system to enter upper campus on the day of University Commencement. Graduating doctoral and master’s students may also obtain up to two (2) guest tickets. This is a firm limit instituted by the University. The Commencement Office is not able to provide additional tickets in advance or on Commencement Day at campus entry points. Please be considerate to your fellow graduates and reserve only the number of guest tickets that you intend to use.

Morningside campus will be closed to the general public all day, and guests will only be admitted to the specific location indicated on their assigned ticket. Please refer to the University Commencement website to view Commencement Day instructions and information for graduates and guests.

You may find additional information relevant to University Commencement tickets at the Ticketing FAQ.

Will I, as a graduate, need a ticket for myself?

GSAS Convocation
Graduates do NOT need a ticket to attend GSAS Convocation, but every graduate must arrive wearing regalia and be prepared to show CUID.

Columbia University Commencement
Every graduate must obtain a graduate ticket for Columbia University Commencement through the ticketing system. To enter campus for University Commencement, every graduate must arrive wearing regalia and be prepared to show the QR code for their graduate ticket and CUID.

May children attend any of the graduation events?

Yes, children of any age may attend, but children aged four and up need to have their own tickets.

What is the pet policy?

Guests and graduates will not be permitted to bring animals into the tents for GSAS Convocation unless for disability service support. Any attendee with a disability-related service animal should enter campus through the designated gate located at 116th Street/College Walk and Amsterdam Ave. and seek out a member of the Disability Services team for assistance.

Regalia for GSAS Convocation and University Commencement

Full regalia is required for DMA, MA, and PhD candidates participating in GSAS Convocation and University Commencement and is available online on the Oak Hall website and in the Morningside Campus Bookstore. DMA and PhD candidates may rent or purchase doctoral regalia. Master's regalia is available for purchase only. Please note the following deadlines:

March 14: Last day for DMA and PhD grads to order purchase (non-rental) regalia
March 21: Last day for MA grads to order international shipments on the Oak Hall website
April 10: Last day for DMA and PhD grads to order rental regalia without incurring a late fee. Orders placed on or after April 11 will incur a $40 late fee.

How will I receive my diploma?

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.

How can I obtain a letter to help me obtain a visa to return?

Please contact the GSAS Convocation Office. You may also click here to write your own invitation letter.

How can I obtain a letter to help my guest obtain a visa to attend?

Please contact the GSAS Convocation Office. You may also click here to write your own invitation letter.

Disability Accommodations

Guests with disabilities or limited mobility, older individuals needing assistance, or those in need of sign language interpretation should enter campus through the designated gate located at 116th Street/College Walk and Amsterdam Ave. Please refer to these maps for accessible routes on campus.

How can I purchase photos of the ceremony?

A professional photograph of each degree recipient will be available for purchase from Island Photography, the official event photographer. Island Photography will contact graduates via email in the days following Convocation. To ensure that you receive your link to view and purchase your photograph, please click on the relevant link below to register with Island Photography:

Doctoral graduates register here.
Master’s graduates register here.

Can I watch the ceremony online?

You may view the ceremonies live via this link.

Please note: Commencement season is a time to celebrate our students' accomplishments. To honor our students and guests, audience disruptions and interruption of speakers are not permitted. All participants and guests attending Commencement season events understand and agree to follow the responsibilities outlined in University policies, including the Rules of University Conduct, Anti-Discrimination and Discriminatory Harassment Policy, and Standards and Discipline. Those found in violation will be asked to discontinue and may be asked to leave the venue.