Convocation FAQ

  • Now: 
    • Confirm your eligibility (see Eligibility section below). 
    • Confirm your mailing address to receive your diploma (See Diplomas section below).
  • February 27 - March 22: Order regalia through the Columbia Bookstore beginning February 27 or online beginning March 4. Online orders for master's regalia and ALL orders for doctoral regalia must be placed by March 22. 
  • Beginning April 3: Register a graduate ticket for through the ticketing system (see Ticketing & Registration section below). 
  • May 8, 9, or 10: Pick up your name card in 107 Low Library (May 8 and 9, 9:15 am - 6:00 pm; May 10, 9:15 am - 5:00 pm)
  • May 12: Arrive at the Roone Arledge Auditorium at the designated time: 
    • PhD: 7:00 am
    • MA: 9:15 am

What is Columbia University Commencement?

Columbia University Commencement is the ceremony during which President Shafik confers degrees on all 2024 graduates from across all Columbia schools. Schools are assigned areas in which to sit on and around Low Plaza. Graduates wear regalia but do not walk across the stage. For more information, please review the recording of the 2023 Columbia University Commencement.

Beginning in May 2024, University Commencement will comprise two ceremonies both held on Wednesday, May 15, 2024. GSAS graduates will participate in the afternoon ceremony, which will begin at 6:30 pm EDT.

What is GSAS Doctoral Convocation? 

GSAS Doctoral Convocation is a ceremony on Sunday, May 12, 2024, which celebrates the accomplishments of all DMA and PhD candidates in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. This ceremony is for doctoral graduates in Arts and Sciences programs administered by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences only. GSAS Dean Alonso is the Master of Ceremonies for Convocation, and each graduate has an opportunity to cross the stage in regalia. Doctoral Convocation lasts approximately 60 minutes and is followed by a 90-minute reception. For more information, please review the recording of the 2023 GSAS Doctoral Convocation.

What is GSAS Master’s Convocation? 

GSAS Master's Convocation is a ceremony on Sunday, May 12, 2024, which celebrates the accomplishments of all Master's candidates in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. The ceremony is for GSAS Master's graduates only. GSAS Dean Alonso is the Master of Ceremonies for Convocation, and each graduate has an opportunity to cross the stage in regalia. Master’s Convocation lasts approximately 90 minutes and is followed by a 90-minute reception. For more information, please review the recording of the 2023 GSAS Master's Convocation.

Who will be the speaker at University Commencement? 

Nemat "Minouche" Shafik, Columbia University’s 20th president and Professor of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University

Who will be the speaker at GSAS Doctoral Convocation? 

Nim Tottenham, Professor and Chair of Psychology at Columbia University

Who will be the speaker at GSAS Master’s Convocation? 

To be announced 

Will there be a student speaker at either Doctoral or Master’s Convocation? 

No

GSAS Convocations

The Thirty-eighth Doctoral Convocation of the Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

  • Date: Sunday, May 12, 2024
  • Time: 8:00 am EDT

The Twenty-fourth Master’s Convocation of the Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

  • Date: Sunday, May 12, 2024
  • Time: 11:00 am EDT

Where will GSAS Doctoral Convocation and GSAS Master’s Convocation be held? 

GSAS Doctoral Convocation and GSAS Master’s Convocation will take place outdoors under a tent on the South Lawn of the Morningside campus. Each ceremony is followed immediately by a 90-minute reception on Ancell Plaza. View campus maps here.

What time should graduates arrive for Convocation?

  • PhD: Graduates arrive 7:00 - 7:30 am
  • MA: Graduates arrive 9:15 - 10:15 am

Where should graduates arrive for Convocation?

Lerner Hall through the Broadway entrance at 2920 Broadway 

What time should guests arrive for Convocation?

  • PhD: Gates open at 7:00 am. The Procession starts promptly at 8:00 am.
  • MA: Gates open at 10:00 am. The Procession starts promptly at 11:00 am.

Where should guests arrive for Convocation? 

General admission guests should line up at 115th Street and Amsterdam Avenue no earlier than 30 minutes before gates open. (PhD: gates open at 7:00 am for the 8:00 am Procession, MA: gates open at 10:00 am for the 11:00 am Procession.) The line will form along the sidewalk of Amsterdam Avenue.  

Columbia University Commencement

The Columbia University Commencement of the 270th academic year

  • Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2024
  • Time: 6:30 pm EDT

Where will Commencement be held? 

Columbia University Commencement will take place outdoors, without a tent, in front of Low Library on the Morningside campus. View campus maps here.

What time should graduates arrive for Commencement?

Graduates arrive 5:00 - 5:30 pm.

Where should graduates arrive for Commencement?

Please visit the Campus Maps page of the Commencement website and refer to the Assembly of Candidates Map to find graduating student entrances and line up locations for the candidate procession that starts the University Commencement ceremony. 

What time should guests arrive for Commencement?

Gates open at 5:00 pm. The Procession starts promptly at 5:30 pm.

Where should guests arrive for Commencement? 

Please visit the Campus Maps page of the Commencement website and refer to the University Commencement Entrances Map to find all available entrances to Morningside campus on Commencement Day.

Do these events take place rain or shine? 

Yes

If you are planning to participate in GSAS Convocation and University Commencement in 2024, you must verify your eligibility and register for GSAS Convocation by Sunday, March 24, 2024.

You are eligible to participate in both the May 2024 Doctoral Convocation and the May 2024 University Commencement if:

  • Your degree is conferred in October 2023 or February 2024, or
  • You complete deposit of your dissertation by the deposit deadline for the May 2024 conferral, or
  • You expect to complete deposit of your dissertation by Friday, October 11, 2024, the deposit deadline for the October 2024 conferral. In this case, you may choose to participate in either the May 2024 or May 2025 graduation ceremonies. Please note: The names of students whose degrees will be conferred in October 2024 will be printed in the Convocation booklet in May 2025.

Note: Participation in GSAS Convocation and University Commencement does not constitute conferral of a Columbia degree.

If you are planning to participate in GSAS Convocation and University Commencement in 2024, you must verify your eligibility and register for GSAS Convocation by Sunday, March 24, 2024.

You are eligible to participate in both the May 2024 Master’s Convocation and the May 2024 University Commencement if:

  • Your degree is conferred in October 2023 or February 2024,
  • You expect your degree to be conferred in May 2024 and you file an application for the MA with the Registrar, or
  • You expect your degree to be conferred in October 2024 and you submit a program-approved Graduation Ceremonies Participation Petition to the GSAS Office of Student Affairs by April 1, 2024. (Note: This petition form does not substitute for the mandatory application for the MA degree, which you must still file with the Registrar by its deadline for the October degree conferral.) Please note: The names of students whose degrees will be conferred in October 2024 will be printed in the Convocation booklet in May 2025.

Note: Participation in GSAS Convocation and University Commencement does not constitute conferral of a Columbia degree.

How can I obtain tickets? 

If you are planning to participate in GSAS Convocation and University Commencement, you must verify your eligibility and register by Sunday, March 24, 2024, to become eligible to access the ticketing system. Guests of graduating students cannot directly register for tickets. Only graduates are able to obtain guest tickets on behalf of their guest(s). All tickets will be distributed electronically, and graduates are responsible for distributing tickets to their guests directly.

All eligible graduates will receive a notification from the GSAS Office of Student Affairs by the end of the business day on April 1 with instructions on how to access the ticketing system. At 12:00 pm EDT on April 3, 2024, the ticketing platform for GSAS Convocation and University Commencement will open for eligible graduates at this link: register.commencement.columbia.edu. [NOTE: Link not activated yet] The GSAS Office of Student Affairs will continue to send notifications on a rolling basis to students who become eligible throughout the spring semester.

Outdoor seating for University Commencement is limited, so be sure to verify your eligibility and register by March 24 to ensure you are able to reserve your tickets when the ticketing platform opens. Once the outdoor venue reaches capacity, indoor locations will be available for additional guests. Ticketing will close on Monday, May 10, 2024, at 11:59 pm EDT.

If you have difficulty registering through the online system, please contact the GSAS Convocation Office.

How many tickets may I obtain for GSAS Convocation?

Every graduating student participating in GSAS Convocation must obtain a graduate ticket through the ticketing system to enter Lerner Hall to join the candidate procession on the day of GSAS Convocation. Graduating students may obtain up to eight (8) guest tickets for GSAS Convocation. To request additional tickets, please contact the GSAS Convocation Office.

Morningside campus will be closed to the general public on the day of GSAS Convocation, and guests will only be admitted to the specific ceremony and location indicated on their assigned ticket. 

How many tickets may I obtain for Columbia University Commencement? 

Every graduating student participating in University Commencement must obtain a graduate ticket through the ticketing system to enter upper campus on the day of University Commencement. Graduating doctoral and master’s students may also obtain up to two (2) guest tickets. This is a firm limit instituted by the University. The Commencement Office is not able to provide additional tickets in advance or on Commencement Day at campus entry points. Please be considerate to your fellow graduates and reserve only the number of guest tickets that you intend to use. 

Morningside campus will be closed to the general public all day, and guests will only be admitted to the specific ceremony and location indicated on their assigned ticket. Please refer to the University Commencement website to view Commencement Day instructions and information for graduates and guests.

You may find additional information relevant to University Commencement tickets at the Ticketing FAQ.

Will I, as a graduate, need a ticket for myself?

Yes, every graduate must obtain a graduate ticket through the ticketing system. To enter campus for GSAS Convocation and University Commencement, every graduate must arrive wearing regalia and be prepared to show the QR code for their graduate ticket and CUID.

May children attend any of the graduation events? 

Yes, children of any age may attend, but children aged four and up need to have their own tickets.

What is the Pet Policy?

Guests and graduates will not be permitted to bring animals into the tents for GSAS Convocation unless for disability service support that is communicated to GSAS in advance.

Regalia for GSAS Convocation and University Commencement

Full regalia is required for PhD and MA candidates participating in GSAS Convocation and University Commencement. Order regalia through the Columbia Bookstore beginning February 27 or online beginning March 4.

Doctoral regalia may be rented for $198, which includes a doctoral gown and doctoral hood plus the purchase of a velvet tam (hat). Doctoral regalia is also available to purchase for $733. All orders for rental doctoral regalia must be placed by March 22, and the last day to order doctoral regalia for purchase is March 8.

Master’s regalia is available for purchase only for $72, which includes a master's gown and a mortarboard cap. All online orders for master’s regalia must be placed by March 22. Master’s regalia will remain available for purchase in the Columbia Bookstore.

How will I receive my diploma? 

Diplomas will be mailed following graduation to the "Diploma (DP) Address" that is on file, based on each graduate’s degree conferral date. Verify or update your DP address on Student Services Online (SSOL). Please contact [email protected] with any additional questions.

How can I obtain a letter to help me obtain a visa to return? 

Please contact the GSAS Convocation Office. You may also click here to write your own invitation letter.

How can I obtain a letter to help my guest obtain a visa to attend? 

Please contact the GSAS Convocation Office. You may also click here to write your own invitation letter.

Disability Accommodations

Guests with disabilities or limited mobility, older individuals needing assistance, or those in need of sign language interpretation should enter campus through the designated gate located at 116th Street/College Walk and Amsterdam Ave. Please refer to these maps for accessible routes on campus.

How can I purchase photos of the ceremony?

A professional photograph of each degree recipient will be available for purchase from Island Photography, the official event photographer. Island Photography will contact graduates via email in the days following Convocation. To ensure that you receive your link to view and purchase your photograph, please click on the relevant link below to register with Island Photography:

Can I watch the ceremony online?

You may view the ceremonies live via this link.

What is the COVID policy? 

Please review the university information here.

Who can I contact for more information about Convocation? 

Please contact the GSAS Convocation Office.

Who can I contact for more information about Commencement? 

University Commencement Office 
(212) 854-1753 

Is there an FAQ for Columbia University Commencement? 

Columbia University Commencement FAQ