Congratulations, Class of 2025!

Please review the information below prior to commencement


 

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is pleased to announce the 2025 commencement schedule.

There will be four degree conferral ceremonies:

  • Doctoral Hooding, Friday, May 16, 2025, at 9 a.m., Mullins Center
  • Undergraduate Ceremony, Friday, May 16, 2025, at 5 p.m., McGuirk Stadium
  • Stockbridge School of Agriculture Ceremony (Associate Degree), Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 3 p.m., Bowker Auditorium
  • Master's and Education Specialists Ceremony, Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 2 p.m., Mullins Center

We invite you all to attend as we honor the class of 2025, hear words of inspiration from university leaders, welcome honored guests, applaud the student speakers, and cheer our graduates as degrees are conferred. Throughout Commencement Weekend, senior recognition ceremonies take place where undergraduates will have their names called and cross the stage. Dates and times are listed below.

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SCHEDULE

Class of 2025 Degree Conferral Ceremonies

FRIDAY, MAY 16

Doctoral Hooding

All doctoral candidates

9 a.m.
Mullins Center 
 
This event will be livestreamed, a link will appear at the top of this website on May 16.

Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony

All bachelor's degree candidates

5 p.m.
McGuirk Stadium 

This event will be livestreamed, a link will appear at the top of this website on May 16.

SATURDAY, MAY 17

Stockbridge School of Agriculture Ceremony

Associate degree candidates

3 p.m.
Bowker Auditorium 

 

SUNDAY, MAY 18

Master's and Education Specialists Commencement Ceremony

All master's, education specialists degree candidates

2 p.m.
Mullins Center 

This event will be livestreamed, a link will appear at the top of this website on May 18.

Senior Recognition Ceremonies (Undergraduate Only)

TUESDAY, APRIL 29

Commonwealth Honors College Celebration of Excellence

6 p.m. 
Bromery Center for the Arts

Student-centered celebration. Livestream available for all non-participants.

SUNDAY, MAY 18

College of Natural Sciences

9 a.m. 
Mullins Center 

The College of Natural Sciences is distributing Tassel cards early. If you are a CNS graduating senior and have questions about Tassel card distribution, please contact to Karen Schimmel @email.

Commencement

Is commencement the graduation ceremony at UMass Amherst?

Yes! Degrees are conferred and graduates are celebrated at the:

  • Doctoral Hooding, Friday, May 16, 2025, at 9 a.m., Mullins Center
  • Undergraduate Ceremony, Friday, May 16, 2025, at 5 p.m., McGuirk Stadium
  • Stockbridge School of Agriculture Ceremony (Associate Degree), Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 3 p.m., Bowker Auditorium
  • Master's and Education Specialists Ceremony, Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 2 p.m., Mullins Center
Commencement

I'm an undergraduate—which ceremonies should I attend?

We encourage undergraduates and families to attend both the main commencement ceremony on Friday, May 16, at 5 p.m. and their individual senior recognition ceremony. The commencement ceremony at McGuirk Stadium is a fun and celebratory event held outdoors, where degrees are conferred, the Commencement Wind Ensemble plays, and the chancellor, student speaker, and keynote speakers present their remarks. The senior recognition ceremonies are smaller, more intimate events where each undergraduate's name is called. 

Graduate students posing with Sam the Minuteman

Are there tickets to attend the ceremonies? What is the cost? Which ceremonies?

All events are free of charge.

  • For the main Undergraduate Commencement on May 16 at McGuirk Stadium, and the Stockbridge School of Agriculture Commencement (Associate Degree) on May 17 at Bowker Auditorium, there are no tickets required, no limits on the number of guests, and no need to register the names of your guests. 
  • However, guest tickets are required for the doctoral hooding on May 16 at the Mullins Center, the Master's and Education Specialist Commencement ceremony on May 18 at the Mullins Center, and all senior recognition ceremonies (see schedule). 
  • Graduates participating in the senior recognition ceremonies, doctoral hooding, and Master's and Education Specialist Commencement ceremony must be registered, but do not need tickets. The deadline to request guest tickets was April 22. If you missed this deadline, you will be able to attend your ceremony; however, guest tickets are not guaranteed. 
    • Undergraduates, please contact your individual school or college to inquire about tickets. 
    • Master's, education specialists, and doctoral degree candidates please contact the Graduate School at @email to inquire about tickets.
  • Guest tickets were distributed to registered students’ Mullins Center accounts on May 8 with instructions on how to create a Mullins Center account.  Students please check your Mullins Center account (not your Tassel page) for your tickets and distribute them to your guests before your ceremony. 
  • Many graduates in the Class of 2025 have more than one major. You are welcome to attend the ceremony for your primary and secondary major with exceptions noted below.
  • Based on the expected number of graduates and the size of the venue, the ticket allocation for each student per school or college is: 
    • Bachelor's Degree with Individual Concentration – 12 tickets
    • College of Education – 8 tickets
    • College of Engineering – 10 tickets
    • College of Humanities & Fine Arts – 4 tickets
    • College of Natural Sciences – 4 tickets
      • Note: secondary majors are welcome to attend the College of Natural Sciences Ceremony; however, only primary majors will be allotted guest tickets due to space constraints of the venue.
    • College of Social & Behavioral Sciences – 5 tickets
    • Elaine Marieb College of Nursing – 12 tickets
    • Eugene M. Isenberg School of Management – 4 tickets
    • Robert and Donna Manning College of Information & Computer Sciences – 5 tickets
      • Note: due to space constraints of the venue, secondary majors will not be able to attend the Manning College of Information & Computer Sciences Ceremony.
    • School of Public Health & Health Sciences – 12 tickets
    • University Without Walls, Interdisciplinary Studies – 12 tickets
    • Doctoral Hooding – 12 tickets
    • Master's and Education Specialists Ceremony – 4 tickets
Grads chearing in celebration

What do undergraduate students need to know about UMass commencement?

Undergraduate students: Details to help you prepare for commencement can be found here, including registration information, eligibility, regalia (caps and gowns), and professional photography sessions. Please check back regularly for updates, including day-of-ceremony instructions. Email announcements from @email will also direct you when to check the website for updates. 

CAPS & GOWNS

No pre-order is necessary for undergraduates. All sizes will be available. Caps, gowns, and tassels may be picked up free of charge at these times:


•    The week of Commencement: May 12-15, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. in Campus Center, first floor

If you are unable to collect your regalia at any of these times, you can have someone pick it up for you. They should have your SPIRE ID#, your height, and the name of the school/college you are graduating from (for tassel color).

Some other campus organizations distribute additional symbols of achievement, such as cords, stoles, pins, etc. These items are not coordinated through the Office of Community Relations and University Events. If you have a question about how you'll receive a stole, cord, pin, etc., please contact the awarding organization directly. 

Off-Campus, Distance Learning, and University Without Walls Students
The deadline for placing online orders for shipping has passed. Orders placed at this point would not arrive in time for Commencement. Students graduating from University Without Walls and distance learning programs, or anyone who is not present on-campus, is encouraged to have a friend collect their regalia on their behalf, as indicated above. If you do not intend to attend Commencement but would still like to order regalia for shipping anyway, or if you have any additional questions, please contact @email.

DIPLOMAS & MEDALLIONS

Diplomas are not distributed during Commencement Weekend. They are mailed to the student's diploma address approximately six weeks after grades have been received and students are cleared for graduation by their department, college, and the Registrar's Office. To ensure the delivery of diplomas, all graduates should check SPIRE to make certain their diploma mailing address is accurately recorded. Please log in to SPIRE, then go to your Academics tile, and then, in your left menu, click Graduation > Diploma Preferences to update your mailing address. Questions regarding diplomas? Please contact the Registrar’s Office, located at 213 Whitmore Administration Building, by phone at 413-545-0555 or via email at reggrad@registrar.umass.edu. Please allow for 6–8 weeks for diploma delivery after your degree has been officially conferred in SPIRE.

Commencement medallions are presented to each undergraduate at their senior recognition ceremony.

TASSEL: CEREMONY REGISTRATION & NAME PRONUNCIATION

Tassel (formerly Marching Order) is the software used to register for commencement and senior recognition ceremonies. It is also used to read and display your name during your senior recognition ceremony. The deadline to register in Tassel was April 22. If you missed this deadline, you will be able to attend your ceremony; however, guest tickets are not guaranteed. Please contact your individual School or College to inquire about tickets.

If you want to update your diploma name, that is done in SPIRE. But changes you make in SPIRE will have no effect on what appears in Tassel or what is read aloud at the ceremony.  

SENIOR & PROFESSIONAL PORTRAITS

Photographers from Ultimate Exposures® will be on campus to take senior portraits as well as professional photos. A cap, gown, and tassel will be provided and sittings are free. Click here to see available dates and locations and to make an appointment (choose “Graduation Portraits” and then “UMass Amherst" from the link). 

CEREMONY PHOTOGRAPHY

Photos of graduates walking across the stage will be taken during the senior recognition ceremonies. Photo proofs will be emailed within 48 hours of the ceremony to graduates along with order forms and information for those wishing to purchase prints.

GRADUATION KEEPSAKES

Commemorate your graduation with products that include class rings and more. Order details will be shared in the spring.

GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS

Optional graduation announcements can be purchased at Amherst Copy & Designworks. The 2025 order form is available to download. 

GRADUATION ELIGIBILITY

An undergraduate student’s year of graduation is established by the Registrar’s Office. To be eligible to participate in 2025 commencement ceremonies, students must have fulfilled all requirements by the date of the ceremony or be scheduled to do so by September 2025.

Students who are expected to graduate in fall 2025 or spring 2026, but want to walk in May 2025, must contact the Registrar's Office, Diploma and Graduation Services, at reggrad@registrar.umass.edu no later than March 31, 2025.

FERPA PRIVACY FLAGS & COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM LISTINGS

Students with a FERPA Privacy Flag on their SPIRE account will not have their names printed in the commencement program or on any commencement-related material. If you have a privacy flag on your account but would like your name included in commencement material, please request the flag be removed by March 14, 2025. You may do so by completing a Request for Privacy form with the University Registrar’s Office – please contact their office for more information on this process. Please email @email when you have removed the flag.

VISA REQUEST LETTERS

The Office of Community Relations and University Events will provide letter(s) for undergraduate students who wish to have family member(s) living abroad attend commencement ceremonies. The letter states the name of the graduate, major, commencement dates, and relationship to the guest seeking the invitation; it is not an official government document. To receive a visa request letter, fill out this Visa Request Form. Our office will complete it within one week of receipt. Please note: It is the responsibility of the graduate to mail the letters to the appropriate embassy.

HOMETOWN PRESS RELEASES

Each summer, the Office of News and Media Relations sends press releases about in-state graduates to daily and weekly hometown newspapers in Massachusetts. Because of the large number of graduates involved, names are usually published in lists. Out-of-state graduates wishing to have press releases sent to their hometown newspapers must complete a form available from the News and Media Office or call (413) 545-0444.

Two Graduate Students at Commencement Ceremony

What do master's and education specialist candidates need to know about UMass commencement?

Master's and education specialist degree candidates: Details to help you prepare for commencement can be found here, including registration information, eligibility, regalia (caps and gowns), and professional photography sessions. Please check back regularly for updates, including day-of-ceremony instructions. Email announcements from @email will also direct you when to check the website for updates. 

TICKETS

Graduates participating in ceremonies do not need tickets themselves. However, guest tickets are required for the Master's and Education Specialist Ceremony. Based on the expected number of graduates and the size of the venue, the ticket allocation for each student for the Master's and Education Specialists Ceremony is 4 tickets per student. Guest tickets were distributed to registered students’ Mullins Center accounts on May 8 with instructions on how to create a Mullins Center account.  The deadline to register in Tassel and request guest tickets was April 22. If you missed this deadline, you will be able to attend your ceremony; however, guest tickets are not guaranteed. Please contact the Graduate School at @email to inquire about tickets.

REGALIA

Eligible Master's and Education Specialist degree candidates can pick up their regalia at the UMass Store in the Campus Center beginning Monday, May 5. There is no charge for caps, gowns, or tassels, regardless of your degree. 

For graduates unable to pick up regalia on campus, regalia can be shipped, but the deadline has passed in order to arrive in time for Commencement. Please have a friend or pick up your regalia at the UMass Store beginning Monday, May 5. They should know your SPIRE ID, height (for robe length), and field of study (for hood colors).

If you don’t intend to attend the ceremony but would like to order regalia for shipping, please contact the UMass store at @email

TASSEL: CEREMONY REGISTRATION & NAME PRONUNCIATION

Tassel (formerly Marching Order) is the software used to register for the Master's and Education Specialist Ceremony.  It is also used to read and display your name during your ceremony. The deadline to register in Tassel was April 22. If you missed this deadline, you will be able to attend your ceremony; however, guest tickets are not guaranteed. Please contact the Graduate School at @email to inquire about tickets.

If you want to update your diploma name, that is done in SPIRE. But changes you make in SPIRE will have no effect on what appears in Tassel or what is read aloud at the ceremony.  

PROCEDURE TO GRADUATE, ELIGIBILITY, AND DIPLOMAS

Master's and education specialist degree eligibility is determined by staff in the Graduate School. Your degree eligibility form must be completed by April 1, 2025. In order to be considered eligible, you must fulfill various requirements. The list of requirements can be found on the Graduate School Degree Requirement website. Once those requirements are complete and you are approved for graduation, view the appropriate degree eligibility form.

Information regarding diplomas for graduate students can also be found on the Degree Requirements website.

PORTRAIT OPPORTUNITIES

Ultimate Exposures® will be on campus to take graduation and professional photos. Regalia will be provided at your appointment. 

CEREMONY PHOTOGRAPHY

Commencement photos of graduates walking across the stage will be taken at the commencement ceremony. Photo proofs will be emailed to graduates within 48 hours of the ceremony along with order forms and information for those wishing to purchase prints.

GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS

Optional graduation announcements can be purchased at Amherst Copy & Designworks. The 2025 order form is available to download.

COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM LISTINGS

Students who have a full-privacy request on file but wish to have their names printed in the commencement program must also notify the Dean of Students Office no later than the close of business on March 14, 2025. Those who fail to do so will not be listed.

VISA REQUEST LETTERS

The Office of Community Relations and University Events will provide letter(s) for graduate students who wish to have family member(s) living abroad attend commencement ceremonies. The letter states the name of the graduate, major, commencement dates, and relationship to the guest seeking the invitation; it is not an official government document. To receive a visa request letter, fill out this Visa Request Form. Our office will complete it within one week of receipt. Please note: It is the responsibility of the graduate to mail the letters to the appropriate embassy.

Grads Posing

What do doctoral candidates need to know about UMass commencement?

Doctoral candidates: Details to help you prepare for the exciting, new doctoral hooding can be found here, including registration information, eligibility, regalia (tams and gowns), and professional photography sessions. Please check back regularly for updates, including day-of-ceremony instructions. Email announcements from @email will also direct you when to check the website for updates. 

TICKETS

Graduates participating in the doctoral hooding do not need tickets themselves. However, guest tickets are required for the doctoral hooding ceremony. Based on the expected number of graduates and the size of the venue, the ticket allocation for each student for the Doctoral Hooding is 12 tickets per student. Guest tickets were distributed to registered students’ Mullins Center accounts on May 8 with instructions on how to create a Mullins Center account.  The deadline to register in Tassel and request guest tickets was April 22. If you missed this deadline, you will be able to attend your ceremony; however, guest tickets are not guaranteed. Please contact the Graduate School at @email to inquire about tickets.

REGALIA

Eligible doctoral degree candidates can pick up their regalia at the UMass Store in the Campus Center beginning Monday, May 5. There is no charge for caps, gowns, or tassels, regardless of your degree. Doctoral hoods are available for purchase starting at $75. 
 
For graduates unable to pick up regalia on campus, regalia can be shipped, but the deadline has passed in order to arrive in time for Commencement. Please have a friend or pick up your regalia at the UMass Store beginning Monday, May 5. They should know your SPIRE ID, height (for robe length), and field of study (for hood colors).
 
If you don’t intend to attend the ceremony but would like to order regalia for shipping, please contact the UMass store at @email

TASSEL: CEREMONY REGISTRATION & NAME PRONUNCIATION

Tassel (formerly Marching Order) is the software used to register for the doctoral hooding ceremony. It is also used to read and display your name during your ceremony. The deadline to register in Tassel was April 22. If you missed this deadline, you will be able to attend your ceremony; however, guest tickets are not guaranteed. Please contact the Graduate School at @email to inquire about tickets.

If you want to update your diploma name, that is done in SPIRE. But changes you make in SPIRE will have no effect on what appears in Tassel or what is read aloud at the ceremony.  

PROCEDURE TO GRADUATE, ELIGIBILITY, AND DIPLOMAS

Doctoral degree eligibility is determined by staff in the Graduate School. Your degree eligibility form must be completed by April 1, 2025. In order to be considered eligible, you must fulfill various requirements. The list of requirements can be found on the Graduate School Degree Requirement website. Once those requirements are complete and you are approved for graduation, view the appropriate degree eligibility form.

Information regarding diplomas for master's and doctoral candidates can also be found on the Degree Requirements website.

PORTRAIT OPPORTUNITIES

Ultimate Exposures® will be on campus to take graduation and professional photos. Regalia will be provided at your appointment. 

CEREMONY PHOTOGRAPHY

Commencement photos of graduates walking across the stage will be taken at the doctoral hooding ceremony. Photo proofs will be emailed within 48 hours of the ceremony to graduates along with order forms and information for those wishing to purchase prints.

GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS

Optional graduation announcements can be purchased at Amherst Copy & Designworks. The 2025 order form is available to download.

COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM LISTINGS

Doctoral candidates who have a full-privacy request on file but wish to have their names printed in the commencement program must also notify the Dean of Students Office no later than the close of business on March 14, 2025. Those who fail to do so will not be listed.

VISA REQUEST LETTERS

The Office of Community Relations and University Events will provide letter(s) for graduate students who wish to have family member(s) living abroad attend commencement ceremonies. The letter states the name of the graduate, major, commencement dates, and relationship to the guest seeking the invitation; it is not an official government document. To receive a visa request letter, fill out this Visa Request Form. Our office will complete it within one week of receipt. Please note: It is the responsibility of the graduate to mail the letters to the appropriate embassy.

HOMETOWN PRESS RELEASES

Each summer, the Office of News and Media Relations sends press releases about in-state graduates to daily and weekly hometown newspapers in Massachusetts. Because of the large number of graduates involved, names are usually published in lists. Out-of-state graduates wishing to have press releases sent to their hometown newspapers must complete a form available from the News and Media Office, or call (413) 545-0444.

ADVISORS

Doctoral advisors: Please visit the faculty section to learn more and request regalia.

Students sitting at commencement dressed in caps and gowns

What do family, friends, and guests need to know about UMass commencement?

UNDERGRADUATE CLASS

  • The main commencement ceremony for the University of Massachusetts Amherst undergraduate class of 2025 will be held on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 5 p.m., at McGuirk Alumni Stadium on the UMass Amherst campus, rain or shine. Gates open for guest entry and seating at 3 p.m. The ceremony is scheduled to conclude at approximately 7 p.m.
  • The Stockbridge School of Agriculture Commencement Ceremony (Associate Degree) will be held Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 3 p.m., at Bowker Auditorium

GRADUATE CLASS

  • The doctoral hooding for the University of Massachusetts Amherst class of 2025 will be held on Friday, May 16, at 9 a.m., at the Mullins Center. Doors open for guest entry and seating at 8 a.m. The ceremony is scheduled to conclude at approximately 11 a.m. Guest tickets are required for this ceremony.
  • The Master's and Education Specialist Commencement Ceremony for the University of Massachusetts Amherst class of 2025 will be held on Sunday, May 18, at 2 p.m., at the Mullins Center. Doors open for guest entry and seating at 1 p.m. The ceremony is scheduled to conclude at approximately 5 p.m. Guest tickets are required for this ceremony. 
  • On May 8 guest tickets were distributed to the Mullins Center accounts of students who registered for them by the April 22 deadline. Students were notified by email from the Mullins Center with instructions. Students are responsible for distributing guest tickets from their account to their guests prior to the ceremony. 

Guests who plan to attend a senior recognition ceremony that is scheduled to take place before Undergraduate Commencement on Friday, May 16, should ensure ample time to reach campus, park, and arrive at the stadium via a shuttle bus or by walking. We recommend that you park once and use a shuttle bus or walk to your next destination(s).

Once at the stadium, you will proceed through security. The stadium map (on the last page of the commencement program handed out at the entrance) shows where each school or college will be seated, so you can plan your seating in the stands accordingly.

Graduates receive regular emails regarding registration, cap and gown pickup, photography, and opportunities such as student speaker and 21st Century Leader Awards. Family members can sign up to stay informed about commencement and receive the same messages as their students. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND GUESTS

Three students posing at UMass Commencement

Frequently Asked Questions

Is commencement the same thing as graduation?

When is commencement?

  • Degrees are conferred on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 9 a.m., at the Doctoral Hooding at the Mullins Center; on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 5 p.m., at the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony at McGuirk Stadium; on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 3 p.m., at the Stockbridge School of Agriculture Commencement Ceremony (Associate Degree) at Bowker Auditorium; and on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 2 p.m., at the Master's and Education Specialist Commencement Ceremony at the Mullins Center. See full schedule of events.
  • McGuirk Stadium is outdoors. All other venues are indoors. All events are rain or shine (yes, you can bring umbrellas).

Do I need tickets?

  • Graduates themselves do not need tickets to participate in their ceremony, but they do need to RSVP and register with Tassel in order to secure tickets for their guests.
  • Guest tickets are not required for the undergraduate or Stockbridge School degree conferral ceremonies. 
  • Guest tickets are required for all senior recognition ceremonies and for the doctoral hooding, and Master's and Education Specialist Commencement Ceremony.
  • With the number of graduates and venue capacity limits, ticketing ceremonies ensures all graduates have the option of guests attending and prevents guests from being denied entry due to capacity constraints.

How do I get tickets? What if I want more tickets?

  • Guest tickets were distributed to registered students’ Mullins Center accounts on May 8. Students were notified by the Mullins Center via email and received instructions on how to access and distribute their tickets to guests.
  • Due to the finite number of seats available, we cannot exceed the designated allotment of tickets per graduate.
  • If you failed to reserve guest tickets in Tassel before the April 22 deadline, please contact your individual school or college to inquire about tickets.
  • Ceremonies will be live streamed so that family members and supporters can join the celebration from anywhere. 

Which ceremony should I go to? (undergraduate class)

  • The main commencement ceremony for the undergraduate class will be held at McGuirk Stadium on Friday, May 16, 2025, at 5 p.m. This ceremony is fun and celebratory, degrees are conferred, the UMass Wind Ensemble performs, and remarks are given by the chancellor, keynote speaker, and student speaker. All members of the class of 2025 are encouraged to attend and are recognized en masse by school or college.
  • Additionally, school and college senior recognition ceremonies will be held on Friday, May 16, Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18, 2025. Senior recognition ceremonies are smaller and more intimate. Names are read, students walk across the stage, and individual portraits are taken. Students and families are encouraged to attend the main undergraduate ceremony and their senior recognition ceremony.

    See full schedule of events.

Are the ceremonies outdoors or indoors?

  • The undergraduate ceremony on May 16 at McGuirk Stadium is outdoors. 
  • All other ceremonies are held indoors.

What is the schedule? When and where will the ceremonies be?

What if a student has a final exam scheduled on Friday, May 16?

  • Final exams are scheduled to take place between Monday, May 12 and Thursday, May 15. Friday, May 16, is reserved for make-up exams only, which will conclude by 10 a.m..

I’m a graduating student or student working/helping/performing at commencement activities, who lives in an on-campus residence hall. I read residence halls will close at noon on Friday, May 16. What do I do if I need to stay later than that? 

  • Graduating seniors are automatically approved for permission to stay late and will receive an email in April confirming their status.
  • Students affiliated with commencement activities as a student employee, performer, or ambassador will have their names submitted for permission to stay late by their supervisor or group leader in the spring semester and will also receive an email in April confirming their status.
  • Other students, for instance students with a graduating sibling, may request permission to stay late in the spring semester. All students who are granted permission to stay late will need to move out no later than May 19 at 10 a.m.
  • Learn more about UMass Move-Out and Permission to Stay Late from Living at UMass Amherst.

What is traffic usually like? How will I know where to go?

  • Plan at least two hours of travel time once you arrive in the Amherst area.
  • Parking starts at lots closest to the ceremony and moves farther as they fill up. Once you arrive on campus, UMass Police officers will direct traffic and parking.
  • If you have two ceremonies to attend on the same day, park once and take the bus or walk to your destination(s).
  • Shuttle services will be available on the campus loop throughout Commencement Weekend.
  • Please read the complete traffic advisory for Commencement Weekend. 

What about accessible parking?

  • Guests attending the undergraduate ceremony at the stadium who meet the requirements and are in need of accessible parking can register to receive a parking pass for Lot 11 on Stadium Drive, the accessible lot closest to the stadium for the ceremony on Friday, May 16. Please register by 5 p.m. on May 14 to allow time for processing. Passes are delivered via email. 
  • All other venues have accessible parking near the building and accessible parking is available throughout the campus. Guests do not need to request accessible parking for these other venues in advance. 

What physical accessibility accommodations are in place at McGuirk Stadium?

  • There is a designated security checkpoint and entrance for guests with mobility challenges. Commencement ambassadors will be present to assist with directing guests to the accessible entrance (Portal 20).
  • Portal 20 (the northeast-most portal of the stadium) provides full access to restrooms and accessible guest seating on the field. Guests can, of course, choose to sit in the stands. There are ramps to the stadium stands at the southern end of the stadium. The first row of the stands is available from those ramps. All others are only accessible via stairs.
  • Accessible seating is available for guests and graduates on the stadium field; however it is in the open sun. Guests should take appropriate precautions related to the weather. Guests sitting in the stands and in the accessible area on the field may want to bring sunscreen and visors or hats for sun protection. Additional accessibility instructions for the stadium can be found in the accessibility drop down section above;. 
  • The pathway from the Lot 11 Graduate Assembly Area to the stadium field and student seating (for processional/march) is an even-grade, paved surface and accessible by wheelchair.  
  • Note that portions of both the east side (for guests) and west side (for graduates) of the stadium are gravel and may be difficult for a wheelchair to traverse. However, the paved sections, concrete sidewalks, and installed floor provide accessible pathways to most of the stadium.

What physical accessibility accommodations are in place at the Mullins Center?

Where can I stay?

  • Campus residence hall accommodations are available in single or double occupancy, providing casual comfort at affordable rates.  See umass.irisregistration.com/site/commencement for the latest residence hall information. For questions or registration assistance, call 413-577-8102. Reservations will be accepted until 4 p.m. on April 11, 2025, or until capacity is reached. 
  • For a unique blend of restaurants, hotels, shops, and cultural destinations, please visit our friends at the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce at amherstarea.com and the Amherst Business Improvement District at amherstdowntown.com or visithampshirecounty.com.
  • Review the Lodging drop down in the section above for more information. 

Our family observes the Jewish Sabbath. Is there overnight lodging available that will allow us to observe the Sabbath?

  • Yes, a limited number of on-campus residence hall rooms are available that meet the strict requirements of the Jewish Sabbath. Please contact Evan in Conference Services  @email to indicate your interest and learn more about this option.

When/where do I get my cap and gown?

  • Undergraduates: No pre-order or online ordering is necessary. Caps, gowns, and tassels may be picked up free of charge:
    • The week proceeding commencement Monday, May 12 through Thursday, May 15 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Campus Center, Room 165 on the first floor
  • Undergraduate University Without Walls/Distance Learners will receive an email with instructions on how to secure their cap, gown, and tassel when details of those arrangements are confirmed during the spring semester. An update will be provided here when those details are finalized. 
  • ​​​​​​Graduate students will be notified when regalia is available at the UMass Store. Once available, graduate students can pick up their regalia at the UMass Store during business hours.  There is no charge for caps, tams, gowns, or tassels, regardless of your degree. Hoods for master's degree recipients are free of charge. Discipline-specific doctoral hoods will be available for purchase at the UMass Store.

I want to invite my relative from another country. How can I do that?

  • Graduates can complete a Visa Letter Request Form for each relative they wish to attend. Our office will complete it within one week of receipt. Please note: It is the responsibility of the graduate to mail the letters to the appropriate embassy.

I am a graduate student. How do I know if I am eligible to attend commencement? 

Will my doctoral advisor be able to hood me? / Will I be able to hood my doctoral advisees?

  • Yes! Doctoral candidates will be hooded during the doctoral commencement ceremony on Friday, May 16. Your advisor or chosen faculty will be able to participate and hood you. Please RSVP in your Tassel account starting in the spring and indicate who you would like to have hood you.

Where can I get senior portraits?

  • Photographers from Ultimate Exposures® will be on campus to take cap-and-gown photos as well as professional photos during the week before commencement in the Campus Center. Appointment links will be available in the spring.

Please contact the Office of Community Relations and University Events at 413-577-1101 or @email with additional questions.

Faculty processing into Commencement ceremony.

What do faculty members need to know about UMass commencement?

Faculty participation is encouraged in all commencement ceremonies. Please review the day of instructions for faculty participating in degree conferral ceremonies. 

REGALIA

Academic regalia is required for all University of Massachusetts Amherst commencement ceremonies. Rental of academic regalia is sponsored by the Office of the Provost and is provided to faculty free of charge. 

The deadline to request rental regalia for Commencement has passed. However, some additional regalia will be available. Please RSVP at this link to indicate which events you will attend, and if you need any regalia. A limited supply of regalia will be made available to faculty at the regalia distribution times listed below, on a first-come first-served basis. This regalia will not be customized or specific to discipline or alma mater, and is not guaranteed

Rental regalia ordered online for commencement can be picked up in Campus Center Room 165 on the first floor on the following dates and times:

  • Monday, May 12 - Thursday, May 15, 2025, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • If you are unable to pick up your regalia during these times, please contact the Office of Community Relations and University Events at commencement@umass.edu or (413) 577-1101.

Returning rental regalia after commencement:

  • Rental regalia can be returned to the Office of Community Relations and University Events the week following commencement by dropping it off in person or via inter-campus mail to Munson Hall - Lower Level, 101 Hicks Way.
  • Rental regalia must be returned by May 28, 2025.

By the Numbers

Degrees granted in academic year 2023–2024 (September 2023 through May 2024):

20,000
Family and friends in attendance
6,444
Bachelor's Degrees
2,243
Master's Degrees
377
Doctoral Degrees