Congratulations, Doctoral Candidates!
We invite you to attend the Spring Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 9:30 am in EagleBank Arena. All doctoral candidates will be individually recognized and hooded at the commencement ceremony.
Eligibility
All Spring 2025 doctoral candidates are eligible to participate in the Spring Commencement Ceremony.
Doctoral candidates graduating in Summer 2025 are invited to attend the 2025 Winter Commencement Ceremony.
Registration
Registration information will be available in late February.
Only doctoral candidates who register will be issued a Tassel Stage Pass. This is not a ticket. Your faculty advisor will present their Mason ID to be admitted to the venue. Please provide the relevant information for your faculty advisor when RSVPing.
Guest Tickets
Doctoral candidates will be able to claim up to 10 guest tickets to ensure everyone has the opportunity to invite their guests. Please note that graduates do not need a ticket for themselves; they will receive a Tassel Stage Pass.
After your tickets have been claimed, you can print or email them to your family/friends. All tickets are general admission.
To request additional tickets, please email gmuevent@gmu.edu with the quantity needed. Tickets will be distributed based on availability.
Day of Ceremony
In keeping with university tradition, doctoral candidates join their faculty advisor on Commencement morning for a continental breakfast and robing. Please join us at the East Concourse of EagleBank Arena at 8am. University Events staff will check you in and provide instructions on lining up. Doctoral candidates should enter EagleBank Arena via the loading dock, and must present their Tassel Stage Pass at that time.
Hooding
Doctoral candidates will only be hooded at the commencement ceremony. Candidates will be hooded by their advisor; if your advisor cannot attend, then the University Marshal will hood you. Please make sure you invite your advisor to participate in the ceremony. Please review “The Dos and Don’ts of Hooding” video before Commencement. Doctoral candidates will have their degrees conferred by the University President.
Regalia
Regalia will be available for purchase and rental at Grad Fair, taking place March 4-6 in Dewberry Hall from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. After the Grad Fair, regalia will be available for in-store purchases only; however, rental regalia can be ordered online.
- Purchase Price: $1,003.98 + tax
- Purchase Deadline: March 28, 2025 (In-store orders only)
- Rental Price: $197.98 + tax
- Rental Order Deadline (Online): April 9, 2025
- Rental Return Deadline: May 17, 2025 (Return to the University Bookstore)