Convocation

PhD/DMA students: You are eligible to participate in the May 2020 ceremonies if

• your degree was already conferred in October 2019 or February 2020
• you expect your degree to be conferred in May 2020 or October 2020

MA students: You are eligible to participate in the May 2020 ceremonies if

• your degree was already conferred in October 2019 or February 2020
• you expect your degree to be conferred in May 2020 and you have already filed an application for the MA with the Registrar
• you expect your degree to be conferred in October 2020 and you have already submitted a program-approved Participation Petition form to the GSAS Office of Student Affairs by April 12, 2020. (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 October degree conferral.)

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

GSAS uses this registration information to send you important details regarding GSAS Convocation, to grant you access to the University Commencement ticketing system (see Step 4), and to prepare materials for the event such as your required name card (see Step 5). Registration information will be provided in early 2020.

Academic regalia is required to participate in the Convocation and Commencement ceremonies. Regalia may be obtained through the Columbia University Bookstore in Lerner Hall (2922 Broadway). Information to come soon. 

The Morningside Campus Graduation Fair 2020 will be held at the Columbia University Morningside Campus Bookstore in March. Dates to be announced.  

All students who wish to participate in University Commencement must register online. Although tickets are not required for graduates wearing academic regalia, tickets are required for guests. GSAS students may reserve up to two guest tickets if they register by the deadline; you may either print your tickets or send them electronically to your guests. 

Please note that it will take some time for GSAS to verify your eligibility. You will receive an email from the GSAS Office of Student Affairs when you are eligible to register for University Commencement. Completing Step 2 (see above) well in advance will minimize the possibility of delays in accessing the Commencement ticketing system. Once you have been notified by GSAS that you are eligible to register for University Commencement, you may register on the University registration page.

Note: You can access the ticketing system only once; consequently, you may wish to ensure that your guests' plans are finalized before reserving tickets. Please be considerate to your fellow graduates and reserve only the number of guest tickets that you intend to use.

If you have difficulty registering through the online system, email gsas-studentaffairs [at] columbia.edu.

Name cards are required for GSAS Convocation; the reader will use your name card to announce your name as you cross the stage. If you wish, you may spell your name phonetically on the card to guide the reader’s pronunciation. Professional photographers will also use these name cards to correctly identify the student in each photograph.

You may pick up your name card in person in 107 Low Library on weekdays in mid-May (dates and times to be announced). If you are unable to pick it up in advance, or have forgotten or lost your name card, you may pick up a copy at the designated table in Lerner Hall on the day of Convocation.

GSAS Convocation: Remember to bring your regalia and name card. If you do not have your name card, arrive early to pick up a copy at the designated table in Lerner Hall. No tickets are required for graduates or guests to attend Convocation. See the detailed schedule for MA Convocation and Doctoral Convocation.

University Commencement: Remember to bring your regalia and Columbia ID card. Remind your guests to bring their tickets. See the detailed schedule for University Commencement on the University's website. Information about 2019 University Commencement is available here.

Apply to Be a Student Speaker

Any student who is eligible to participate in GSAS Convocation may apply for selection as the student speaker at the ceremony. To be considered, you must submit a draft of your proposed speech to gsas-dean [at] columbia.edu by April 15. Please indicate whether you are an MA or a PhD/DMA candidate. Your text should be no more than 1,250 words, and should reflect on both your experiences as a student and your perspectives for the future.

Invite Faculty Members to GSAS Convocation

Students are encouraged to send a personal note to their faculty mentors inviting them to GSAS Convocation.

Diplomas

Diplomas will be ordered and mailed by the printer after the conferral date. It will take a few weeks to complete the process so it’s important that we have an address on file for you which will be current for at least a couple of months after graduation. If you need to update your address, you may do so through Student Services Online (SSOL) anytime until 5 p.m. on the Monday before graduation – please be sure to select the DP (Diploma) address option. Your diploma will be sent to the DP address which is on file for you that Monday. If you would like to pick up your diploma in person at 205 Kent Hall, you may enter “HOLD FOR PICKUP” in line 1 of the DP address field. Your diploma should be available for pickup about three weeks after graduation and we will email you when it arrives.  

Photographs

A professional photo of each degree recipient will be available for purchase. Official event photographers Island Photography will contact graduates via email in the days following Convocation using information on the student's name card. To receive proofs faster, you may pre-register yourself, family members, and friends with Island Photography. The PIN for GSAS is 573037.