Commencement Information for Graduate Students
Graduate Celebration
Thursday, May 16th, 2024, 5:00pm
Location: Campus Center Auditorium
The College of Education invites all graduating master, educational specialist and doctoral students to our annual Graduation Student Celebration. The event will be held on Thursday, May 15th starting at 5:00pm in the Campus Center Auditorium. Students will hear words from our Dean, department chairs and a student speaker. This event is a great opportunity to catch up with your fellow classmates, faculty and guests as we celebrate and congratulate our amazing graduates.
Light Refreshments will be served at the event.
Graduate School Commencement
Friday, May 17, 2024, 10:00am
Location: McGuirk Alumni Stadium
All graduating graduate students are invited to attend the Graduate School Commencement Ceremony. The ceremony will be held on Friday, May 17th starting at 10:00am. Graduate students who have earned a master’s, an education specialist, or doctoral degrees will be individually recognized by name.
Regalia
Graduate Students can pick up your regalia starting on May 6th at the Bookstore in the Campus Center. Discipline-specific Doctoral Hoods will be available for purchase at the Bookstore. There is no charge for caps/tams, gowns or tassels, regardless of your degree. For students who are unable to pick up regalia on campus prior to the ceremony:
- Have a friend pick up your regalia at the Umass Store beginning, Monday May 6th. They should know your spire ID, height (for robe length) and field of study.
- Arrive early (8am) to pick up your on site at Lot 11 on the morning of the Graduate Commencement Friday, May 17th. You do not need to order or reserve, there will be plenty of all kinds of regalia.
Getting to Campus:
Guests should plan to arrive on campus by 8:00am to ensure ample time to reach campus, park, and arrive at the stadium via a shuttle bus or by walking. Several roads will be partially closed or limited to one-directional traffic. Please allow for additional time to navigate campus.
Plan for at least for an hour of travel time once you arrive in the Amherst Area. Police will direct traffic and parking on campus. Parking will be directed by UMass Police based on the closest available parking lot. Parking is free all weekend.
Accessible Parking:
Disability Services will arrange for anyone with mobility issues to receive a parking pass for Lot 11, the accessible lot closest to the stadium.
Please complete this online form to request a parking pass https://www.umass.edu/commencement/form/accessible-parking.
Security:
All guests will be required to walk through metal detectors when entering the venue. To expedite the process, we ask guests and graduates to remove cell phones from their pockets. Small purses and diaper bags are allowed but will be inspected at all entrances. Outside food or beverages, weapons of any kind, and tobacco products are not permitted inside the arena.