2026 Commencement Information for Master's and Education Specialist Candidates

The degree eligibility of master's and education specialist candidates is determined by staff in the Graduate School. In order to be considered eligible, you must fulfill various requirements, which can be found on the Graduate School website.

Tassel is an online platform used to register for all Commencement and senior recognition ceremonies. At UMass Amherst, we partner with Tassel to manage three functions:

1. Ceremony Registration: You are responsible for logging into Tassel and registering for your ceremony.
2. Name Reading and Pronunciation: While logged into Tassel, you are responsible for verifying the correct pronunciation of your name so that it will be read aloud and displayed correctly as you cross the stage.
3. Securing Guest Tickets: You are also responsible for indicating the number of guest tickets you require, up to the specified allotment per student. You need to be registered for your ceremony but do not need a guest ticket for yourself in order to participate in the ceremony.

The deadline to register in Tassel is April 18. If you miss this deadline, you will be able to attend your ceremony; however, guest tickets are not guaranteed. 

The week of your ceremony in May, tickets will be distributed to your Mullins Center account and you will be notified by email along with instructions for distributing them to your guests.

If you are confused about the registration process, please refer to the step-by-step instructional video below.

This year, we are proud to partner with Herff Jones for all academic regalia. Order your cap, tam, gown, hood, and tassel free of charge from Herff Jones to be picked up starting May 4, 2026 at the University Store. You will receive a confirmation email when your order is complete.

Master's Regalia Ordering Instructions:

1. Visit https://herff.ly/umass
2. Select Cap and Gown.
3. Choose "Master and Doctor Students".
4. Then choose Pick Up Regalia on Campus - Deadline 4/1/26 from the next drop down menu, then: "Master" or "Doctorate".
5. Next select your Area of Study.
6. Click the maroon SHOP button.
7. Follow the menu to choose among the grad packages which include options to purchase additional announcements, frames, stoles, and more. Your regalia will still be free of charge. 
8. On Graduation Regalia enter your first name, last name, area of study, height, and weight .
9. Click the maroon ADD TO CART button. 
10. Click ADD MORE if you'd like to continue shopping for stoles, key chains, memorabilia or click CHECKOUT.
11. Enter your Billing information.
12. Click the maroon CONTINUE button.
13. Review your order then click the maroon COMPLETE ORDER button.

If you are living away from campus or need your regalia early, you may opt to have regalia shipped to your residence for a small fee. If you'd like to use this option, select Ship Regalia to Home - Deadline 4/17/26.

Diplomas are not distributed during Commencement Weekend. They are mailed to your diploma address approximately six weeks after grades have been received and you are cleared for graduation by you department, college, and the University Registrar. To ensure the delivery of your diploma, you should check SPIRE to make certain your diploma mailing address is accurately recorded. Please log in to SPIRE and go to your Academics tile; in the left menu, click Graduation > Diploma Preferences to update your mailing address. 

Questions regarding diplomas? Please contact the University Registrar, located at 213 Whitmore Administration Building, by phone at (413) 545-0555 or via email at [email protected]. Please allow for six to eight weeks for diploma delivery after your degree has been officially conferred in SPIRE.

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 know you have a privacy flag on your account but would like your name included in Commencement materials, please request the flag be removed by March 14, 2026. You may do so by completing a Request for Privacy form with the University Registrar—contact their office for more information on this process. Please email @email when you have removed the flag.

The Office of Community Relations and University Events will provide letters for students who wish to have family members living abroad attend Commencement ceremonies. To receive a letter of support, fill out this Visa Request Form. Our office will process it within one week of receipt. Please note: It is the responsibility of the graduate to mail the letters to the appropriate embassy.