Graduation & Commencement

All graduates participating in Commencement are required to wear the appropriate academic regalia – gown, hood, cap, and tassel. Standard regalia will be available for purchase in the University Bookstore.

To find the color to order for your academic regalia, please refer to the Academic Regalia page on the Graduate School website. Hood linings for BGE degrees are as follows:

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): Royal Blue
• Master of Arts (M.A.): White
• Master of Sciences (M.S.): Gold
• Executive Master’s in Clinical Quality, Safety & Leadership (EMCQSL): Peacock Blue

You will receive instructions on how to wear your regalia as you line up for Commencement. You can also watch our quick video guide: “How to Put On Your Commencement Regalia”

Tickets are not required for the Commencement Ceremony on Healy Lawn; seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Students will be informed during the spring semester if the public health situation necessitates changes to this policy.

Note that if the ceremony is held in McDonough Arena due to severe weather, tickets will be required. Ticket instructions are sent in emails from the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GSAS) (gradlife@georgetown.edu). Follow the link from the GSAS email to claim the severe weather tickets, or if you already have claimed the severe weather tickets, please refer to the severe weather ticket instructions.

The 2023 Graduate School Commencement Ceremony will be held outdoors in the event of rain. In case of severe weather such as electrical storms, the site for the ceremony is McDonough Arena. If there is a severe weather announcement, all graduates are to report directly to the white tent in front of McDonough Arena at 7:30 a.m. for the lineup.

In the event of severe weather, the University will make an announcement on the morning of commencement day on the Georgetown University Commencement page and students will be notified via email right away. Weather announcements will also be available through our University Weather line at 202-687-7669.

Note that if the ceremony is held in McDonough Arena, severe weather tickets will be required. Ticket instructions are sent in emails from the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (gradlife@georgetown.edu), or if you already have claimed the severe weather tickets, please you may refer to the severe weather ticket instructions.

Free accessible shuttle buses, wheelchairs and sign language interpreters are available. Instructions for making a request for accessibility needs are sent in emails from the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (GSAS) (gradlife@georgetown.edu). Follow the link from the GSAS email to submit accessibility needs.

Parking is available in the Southwest Garage, accessible via Canal Road. Drivers MUST tell the parking booth attendant that they are here for the Graduate School Commencement Ceremony; otherwise, the attendant will charge you and your guests for parking. Free accessible shuttle buses will be available to escort people from the parking facilities to the graduation site. Visit the Accessibility Information page for details.

Parking on and near the Georgetown campus is extremely limited. You are encouraged to take the Metro and transfer to free Georgetown University shuttles (GUTS) at either Dupont Circle (Red Line) or Rosslyn (Blue/Orange Line). The general Georgetown University Commencement website provides some very important information about parking and transportation during commencement week. Please note that there is no overnight parking.

• Directions to Georgetown
• Information about parking, public transportation and other modes of transportation
• Tips about commencement travel, parking and shuttle buses at Georgetown University

The Commencement Ceremony will be livestreamed on the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences Facebook page. Other livestreams will be announced in advance on social media.

We ask that you remind your family and guests that they MAY NOT approach the stage during any part of the ceremonies to take photos.

A professional photographer from GradImages will be taking pictures during the Commencement Ceremony. They will be contacting you directly by mail and email with your proofs. If you have any questions, please contact them directly at 800-261-2576.

The diploma dimensions are 17 inches (43 cm) wide by 14 inches (35.5 cm) high. The diploma is written in Latin; English translation is provided with your diploma. Diploma frames are available at the Georgetown University Bookstore in Leavey Center.