Graduation Information

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CMNS Graduate Student Commencement Ceremony

Monday, May 20, 2024
10 a.m.
Memorial Chapel
Students must RSVP by 4/15
Graduates will walk across the stage during this ceremony. Regalia is required (see information below).

The ceremony will be live-streamed at youtube.com/user/cmnsumd.

Keynote Speaker: Ana Maria Rey (Ph.D. ’04, physics), NIST and JILA Fellow and Adjunct Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder 

Schedule

  • 9:00 am - Graduates arrive, enter Memorial Chapel through the side door along Chapel Lane, and check in 
  • 9:15 am - Guests arrive at Memorial Chapel through the front door
  • 9:50 am - Procession of Platform Party begins
  • 10:00 am - Ceremony begins
  • ~11:45 am - Reception immediately following the ceremony

The ceremony will last approximately an hour and a half. Graduates and guests are expected to remain and stay seated for the entirety of the ceremony.

Bags are permitted but will be subject to search upon entry into the venue.

Parking

  • The closest parking to Memorial Chapel is Regents Drive Garage. The Memorial Chapel is a ~10-minute walk from Regents Drive Garage or a short ride on the UM Shuttle’s Armory/Chapel Loop (see the shuttle map for route details—times are subject to change). 
  • Parking permits are not required and meters will be turned off on campus from May 20-22. Be sure to obey all posted signage throughout campus as details may change. 

Accessibility

  • Accessible parking spaces will be available in most lots on a first-come, first-served basis and still require a state-issued license plate or hang tag.
  • Guests with limited mobility can be dropped off on Chapel Lane directly beside Memorial Chapel before parking.
  • Accessible parking is located at Regents Drive Garage.
  • Wheelchair-accessible shuttles are available between Regents Drive Garage and Memorial Chapel. 
  • More information and accessibility resources, such as wheelchair rentals, is available at https://commencement.umd.edu/accessibility
  • If you need special arrangements for hearing impairment or other disabilities, please contact Amy Chester (alevine@umd.edu).

Ph.D. graduates and Faculty Hooders: Please watch our video on how to properly perform a flawless doctoral hooding: https://youtu.be/sXn_eS1ENSU.

Freedom of thought and expression are the lifeblood of our academic community. Our values regarding free speech and an open marketplace of ideas can be found in our policy on expressive activities.

The University also recognizes that a healthy and thriving academic community depends on mutual respect and civility. Appropriate behavior, as described in our university policies, is an essential component of what we stand for as a university.

Commencement marks a celebratory occasion and the culmination of academic pursuits for thousands of Terrapins. We kindly ask that all in attendance stay focused and true to the purpose and spirit of today’s event.

Our policies do not allow for the obstruction, disruption, interruption, or attempt to force the cancellation of any university event, including commencement. If you wish to engage in protests, demonstrations or other such expressive activity, we ask that you abide by university policy and do so in the designated areas outside of the stadium. Failure to uphold a respectful atmosphere in accordance with our policies will result in being asked to leave, and potentially disciplinary or other such action.

Thank you for your shared commitment to observe and protect our principles of free expression.


Campuswide Commencement 

Monday, May 20, 2024
6 p.m.
SECU Stadium
Regalia is required (see information below).

For more information, visit https://commencement.umd.edu/.


Apply for Graduation

Graduate Students: The deadline for graduate students to apply for Spring 2024 graduation has passed. Please complete the Graduate Degree Clearance Waiver Form and send it to registrar-graduate@umd.edu


Regalia

Graduation regalia is required. All students can purchase regalia on campus from the University Book Center

Regalia is available to purchase online directly from Oak Hall. Master's regalia must be ordered by April 17, 2024 and doctorial regalia must be ordered by March 12, 2024. Please allow up to 30 days for master's packages and nine weeks for custom doctoral gowns. Shipping charge will apply.

Doctoral rental gown requests are in-store only and must be requested by April 1, 2024. Contact Deddisun Won at dwon1@umd.edu for other questions.

We strongly suggest purchasing your regalia early. For further information, visit https://commencement.umd.edu/graduation-regalia-information.


Frequently Asked Questions

  • August 2023 graduates (master’s, doctoral, graduate certificate)
  • December 2023 graduates (master’s, doctoral, graduate certificate)
  • May 2024 candidates (master’s, doctoral, graduate certificate)

Students can bring up to 6 guests to a CMNS Commencement Ceremony. The event is not ticketed.

All August 2023 graduates, December 2023 graduates and May 2024 candidates must RSVP to attend a CMNS Commencement Ceremony. Registration link to come in early 2024.

Graduate students

Graduate students who meet the following requirements may RSVP. See the Guidelines on participation in commencement acitivities for undergraduate and graduate students with pending degree requirements for more information. 

  • Ph.D. candidate must successfully defend by May 15, 2024
  • Master’s with thesis candidate must successfully defend by May 15, 2024
  • Professional master’s and master’s without thesis candidate who have 1 or 2 credits to complete in the summer

 

Please note: Names of August 2024 graduates who are approved to participate will not appear in the University or CMNS Commencement programs until the May 2025 ceremonies.

Full regalia is required to participate in a CMNS Commencement Ceremony.

Graduation regalia is required. All students can purchase regalia from the University Book Center or order online from Oak Hall. Master's degree candidates regalia are available for purchase only. Doctoral regalia is available for rental from the University Book Center in person. 

Faculty and staff should contact their department's commencement coordinator for assistance with bulk regalia orders or order online. Faculty and staff regalia will be available for pick-up in early May.

For further information, visit https://commencement.umd.edu/graduation-regalia-information.

The University or the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences does not issue invitation letters for guests to visit the U.S. to attend commencement ceremonies.  These letters are not required by the embassy to issue a B2 visa, which is designated for tourist activities such as sightseeing, visiting friends and relatives, and obtaining medical treatment.  

The graduating student should submit a copy of their I-20 or DS-2019 to the relative applying for the tourist visa. Students can also send a Enrollment Verification Certificate along with the copy of your passport. Enrollment Verification Certificate can be requested from the Office of the Registrar.

Visit the CMNS Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony page for more information on that ceremony.