Graduation FAQs

You can complete the Late Graduation Application form.

Remember, you must apply to graduate even if you do not plan to attend the graduation ceremony!

The University Commencement will be on December 19, 2024 in EagleBank Arena

Degree Celebrations will take place at the following times:

University Commencement

The University Commencement is the main university ceremony presided over by the President of the University. The ceremony includes a commencement speaker, student speaker and can include other special honors. Caps and gowns are worn.

Doctoral candidates will be hooded and individually recognized. Bachelor and master candidates will be recognized at their seats by major.

College/School Degree Celebrations

Each college/school has an individual ceremony where all graduates are individually recognized and photographed on stage. Celebrations include select speakers, performances and all graduates crossing the stage and having their name ready. Doctoral graduates have already been hooded at the University commencement so they are not hooded at the degree celebrations. Caps and gowns are worn. 

Yes, all ceremonies will be viewable via live stream on George Mason's YouTube channel. More information on live streams will be made available as we get closer to the event dates.

At Degree Celebrations, all bachelors and masters students graduating in Winter or Summer 2024 are allowed to walk. Please see the Degree Celebrations page for the complete schedule.

During the Commencement ceremony, Doctoral graduates will be individually recognized and photographed on stage. All other graduates will be recognized as a group by major at their seats.

For Doctoral candidates, only Winter 2024 graduates confirmed by their colleges/schools are permitted to participate in the Commencement ceremony.

Students with special circumstances should contact the Office of University Events at gmuevent@gmu.edu.

Yes, accessible seating will be available. Graduates needing special assistance should reach out to the Accessibility Office to let them know of your accessibility needs.

Guests requiring special assistance may be seated with one companion guest in easy-access sections of EagleBank Arena. Ushers will be available in the lobby to assist those requiring handicapped and special-assistance seating. Accessible seating is near the number 4, 8, 13, and 17 portal entrances with clear views of commencement proceedings. 

If there is inclement weather the day of any ceremony, updates will be posted on the Graduation homepage.

University Events: 703-993-2853 / gmuevent@gmu.edu 

Yes, all guests, ages 2 and older, need a ticket to attend. Graduates will not need a ticket for themselves.

Yes, all guests, ages 2 and older, need a ticket to attend. Graduates will not need a ticket for themselves.

All graduates will receive an email from gmuevent@gmu.edu via MarchingOrder with the subject line "Register for your Ceremony." The email will provide all necessary instructions on how to register and claim your guest tickets for commencement. You must apply to graduate to be eligible to claim your tickets or receive graduation communications.

After your tickets have been claimed, you can print or email them to your family/friends. All tickets are general admission.

Please note: Only Doctoral graduates will be individually recognized and cross the stage at Commencement. Master and Bachelor graduates are individually recognized and photographed on stage at their school's Degree Celebration.

The Grad Fair is the perfect time to get all your graduation regalia and related purchases. It will be November 6th and 7th from 10am – 6pm in Dewberry Hall, Johnson Center on the Fairfax Campus.

If you are unable to attend the Grad Fair, regalia will be available in the University Bookstore or online starting November 8th. Please see the regalia page for more information.

Doctorals

• Last day to order rental regalia online: November 27th

Bachelors/Masters

• Last day to order online: November 27th
• After that date, purchases available in person at the University Bookstore while supplies last.

Faculty

• Last day to order regalia:  November 25th

Regalia cost depends on your degree.

• Bachelor's degree regalia (cap, gown, and tassel): $89.98;
• Master's degree regalia (cap, gown, tassel, and hood): $146.98;
• Doctoral regalia (rental): $197.98

If you are unable to purchase regalia on your own, please reach out to the Gowns for Grads Program as soon as possible.

Doctoral rental regalia should be returned to the University Bookstore no later than December 20th.

For all ceremonies, complementary parking will be available in Lots A, C, and K. Expect heavy traffic on and around the Fairfax Campus, particularly on Braddock Road. Drivers should follow signage and traffic controls. 

Accessible parking will be available in Lot A, outside the south entrance to EagleBank Arena. Drivers should use the Roanoke River Road and Nottoway River Lane entrances to campus from Braddock Road to access accessible parking spaces. 

Doctoral Candidates

Doctoral candidates should arrive at 8 am.  Detailed instructions will be emailed to each candidate.

All Other Graduates

All other graduates should arrive one hour prior to Commencement. 

Guests

Doors will open for guests one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. Tickets are required, but seating is general admission. 

Typically the ceremony lasts about two hours.

Graduates should arrive no later than one hour prior to the start of the ceremony. 

Doors open for guests one hour prior to the start of the ceremony.  Tickets are required, but seating is general admission.

The ceremonies average around two hours in length.

Yes. When you arrive, you will be given a reader card. You will be asked to fill it out with your name and pronunciation notes and keep it with you. You will hand the card to the reader when you walk onto the stage.  

Everyone entering the arena/concert hall will be required to go through a security weapons detection monitor. Bags will need to be searched by venue staff.

View all Eagle Bank Arena policies >>

We are asking all guests and graduates do NOT bring a bag to the graduation ceremonies in order to help expedite the entry for all guests. If you require a bag for your personal belongings, the bag must adhere to venue policies. Please note the list of prohibited items ahead of time, so that there are no issues at the entrances.

View all Eagle Bank Arena policies >>

Due to the Virginia state law that prohibits the wearing of face masks for purposes of concealing one’s identity, if you are wearing a face covering, please be prepared to show a government-issued ID, George Mason ID, or the wristband you were issued at entry. Failure to comply will result in removal from the venue.

Signs larger than 18" x 18," including banners, flags, and posters, are prohibited. All signs smaller than 18" x 18" must comply with the following guidelines:

• Item may not be constructed or displayed in a manner that may obstruct the view of other guests, interrupt the experience of other guests, or create a safety hazard
• Signs must be constructed of paper, fabric, or poster board materials
• Item may not be commercial or political in nature nor include obscene/offensive language and/or pictures
• Item must be related to the event
• Item may not be attached to a stick/pole
• Item may not be attached, hung, taped, or draped over any part of the building

No signage will be allowed on stage.

All students and guests are required to follow the University and venue policies including event code of conduct, policies on disruptions and prohibited items, as well as Mason’s student code of conduct and commitment to safety and freedom of speech.  Students and guests who do not observe Mason’s and EagleBank Arena’s policies and rules will not be admitted or will be required to leave the venue. Students and employees in violation of university policies and rules are subject to disciplinary action in accordance with student and employee codes of conduct.

Yes, the bookstore will be open at 8:30 am.

Technically, yes. However, the bookstore does not open until 8:30 am. Graduates need to start lining up at 8:30 am for the 9:30 am ceremony. As such, it is advised to pick up any regalia orders by the day before the ceremony.

Diplomas will be mailed six to eight weeks after commencement. Notify George Mason if you need to update your diploma mailing address.