Commencement FAQ

The Commencement Ceremony

When is commencement?

Commencement Weekend will take place from Thursday, May 16 through Sunday, May 19. The Georgetown University College of Arts & Sciences Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2024 will take place on Saturday, May 18 at 9:00 a.m. Visit commencement.georgetown.edu for full details.

What is the structure of the commencement ceremony? How long does it last?

In good weather, the ceremony is held outside on Healy Lawn. Graduates are lined up in Red Square and process to the lawn before the official start time, with the procession typically beginning a half hour before the ceremony is scheduled to start. The student procession is followed by the faculty procession, and the ceremony begins as soon as the procession has concluded and faculty have taken their places on the stage. Note that the graduates process and are seated in alphabetical order by degree, with B.S. candidates first and A.B. candidates following. Additional details about lining up and the procession will be available in the spring.

The Dean of the College conducts the ceremony, which includes the conferral of the honorary degree and the commencement address from the honoree. Later in the ceremony, all graduates are recognized individually, crossing the stage as their names are read out. After all graduates have been recognized, President DeGioia offers concluding remarks, and then, following the Alma Mater and benediction, first the faculty and then the students recess at the conclusion of the ceremony.

The entire ceremony lasts approximately two hours.

Is there a rehearsal for graduation? How do I know where to go and what to do?

Seniors will receive full instructions on line-up and procession from the College Dean’s Office in early May. There is no rehearsal for the commencement ceremony, but important details will be reviewed in the classrooms, to which students are required to report in advance of the procession. Thus, it is imperative that students report to their assigned classrooms on time (i.e., no later than 7:45 a.m. for a 9:00 a.m. ceremony). Additional details about lining up and the procession will be available in the spring.

Do we need tickets for the commencement ceremony? Where should we sit?

No tickets are required if the weather is good and the ceremony is held outside on Healy Lawn. Seating is open and first-come, first-served. Please cooperate with the ushers and steer clear of the graduate seating area directly in front of the stage. We also ask that guests depart the seating area immediately after the ceremony in order to allow guests for the following ceremony to take their seats. Families and friends should plan to meet their graduates on Copley Lawn after the students have recessed. If Commencement is held in McDonough Arena due to inclement weather, then tickets are required. See Inclement Weather for details.

Someone in my family requires special accommodation seating. What should I do? 

Special accommodation seating is available by request for family members who need sign language interpretation or have mobility issues. Guests with mobility issues may be assisted by one companion. Additional family members should plan to sit in the general seating area. 

Students will receive instructions to set up an account on Marching Order, a website where they indicate special accommodation requests. If a student indicates that their guests require special accommodations, a member of our team will reach out with further instructions. Deadlines for making requests will be publicized early in the spring.

Students must claim special accommodation tickets for guests and companions prior to the commencement ceremony. In the event of inclement weather, those with special accommodation seating must present both their special accommodation tickets and their severe weather tickets (see Inclement Weather (new window)) to the ushers in McDonough Arena. Please note: it can be hot in Washington in late May, and not all seats on the lawn will be in shade. Guests who are susceptible to the heat may wish to view the ceremony indoors at one of the remote viewing locations; it is also streamed live on the university website.

How will I know if the ceremony is being held on Healy Lawn or in McDonough Arena?

In the event of inclement weather, we make a decision three hours in advance and move the ceremony to McDonough Arena if necessary. The decision about whether to hold the ceremony on the lawn or in the arena will be posted on the College website and Twitter feed, as well as on commencement.georgetown.edu.

Can family and friends at home see the ceremony? Will there be a recording they can watch at a later date?

Yes, the ceremony will be broadcast live online. Information on where to tune in will be shared on Georgetown’s website and social media channels prior to the event.

Who is the Georgetown University College of Arts & Sciences commencement speaker?

The Office of Communications announces the names of commencement speakers for all Georgetown ceremonies about a week before Commencement Weekend.

Where do I get my cap and gown?

Caps, gowns, and hoods required for graduation are available to purchase from Jostens at the Georgetown University Bookstore beginning on Senior Parents Weekend in February. The university offers eco-friendly gowns and hoods. Some seniors may still have the gowns that they wore during New Student Convocation. If so, they may elect to purchase only the cap, tassel, and hood for graduation. Contact the bookstore for hours and pricing.

Where can I get invitations and announcements?

Personalized graduation announcements may be ordered through Jostens. Please contact the bookstore or visit commencement.georgetown.edu for more information.

Where can visitors park on campus? 

During Commencement Weekend, we urge families and visitors to avoid driving to and parking on or near campus if at all possible. A very limited number of daily parking spaces are available in the Southwest Garage for guests. Please visit the university’s commencement website for more information on parking options and alternatives.

Ticketing Information

The College of Arts & Sciences Commencement exercises will be held on Healy Lawn on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. We always hope for clear skies so that we can hold the ceremony outside on Healy Lawn. If the ceremony is held outside, your guests do NOT need tickets for the general seating area. Seating is open, first come, first served. If any of your guests need special accommodations, please see more information below.

Severe Weather Tickets

In the event of severe weather, Commencement will be moved to McDonough Arena. More information is forthcoming.

Special Accommodation Tickets

If you have family members who require special accommodation seating or need sign language interpretation for the College of Arts & Sciences Commencement, please indicate those needs on the Marching Order registration form. Students will receive access to the registration form in the spring. More information is forthcoming.

Please note:

  • Two special seating sections are available for guests with mobility issues: a non-wheelchair section and a wheelchair section.
  • Guests who need sign language interpretation will be seated in view of a sign language interpreter.
  • If any of your guests need to borrow a wheelchair, they may pick up a complimentary wheelchair from Healy Circle. These will be reserved under the student’s name. Valid identification will be required in order to claim the reserved wheelchair.
  • Each group of guests in the non-wheelchair section or in the sign language interpretation section may be assisted by one companion. Each individual guest in the wheelchair section may be assisted by one companion.
  • Special seating accommodations are not in shaded areas. Guests who are susceptible to the heat may wish to view the ceremony indoors at one of the remote viewing locations.
  • In the event of severe weather, those with special accommodation seating must present both their special accommodation tickets and their rain-site tickets to the ushers in McDonough Arena. 
  • Students must pick up special accommodation tickets from the College Dean’s Office. In the request confirmation message, students will receive further instructions.

Severe Weather

In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held outside, unless conditions threaten to become dangerous. If severe weather threatens, the ceremony will move to McDonough Arena and be held twice; the anticipated ceremony times will be 9:00 a.m. for graduates with last names A-K, and 11:30 a.m. for graduates with last names L-Z. Students will report to the Thompson Intercollegiate Athletic Center, where they will line up for the procession directly into McDonough. See here for more information.

Tickets are required if the ceremony is held in McDonough. Students will receive instructions to set up an account on Marching Order, a website where they can claim severe weather tickets. More information is forthcoming. Deadlines for claiming severe weather tickets will be publicized early in the spring.

If there is severe weather and the ceremony is held in the arena, can I get more tickets?

Any unclaimed tickets will be released to students in April. Students who missed the deadline claim tickets should write to cascommencement@georgetown.edu for assistance. The event will be broadcast live and accessible through the university website and social media platforms.

If it rains, can I attend the first ceremony even though my name is in the second half of the alphabet?

No. You must attend the ceremony that corresponds to the first letter of your last name.

Degrees, Diplomas, and Honors

When will I receive my diploma?

Our vendor, Jostens, will mail diplomas to May 2024 graduates this summer at the address you provided on your Application for the Degree. Diplomas typically arrive in July. The Dean’s Office will reach out to confirm your mailing address. Please contact collegedeans@georgetown.edu if you need to update your mailing address.

How can I track the shipment of my diploma?

Jostens, the diploma vendor, will send you an email containing the tracking information, along with a PDF of the diploma when diplomas ship. If you notice that your diploma is not delivered or lost in transit, please contact univregistrar@georgetown.edu.

Can I access an English translation of my diploma?

Yes. Georgetown diplomas are issued in Latin. You may access the English translation here.

Why is my degree an A.B. instead of a B.A.?

A.B. stands for Artium Baccalaureatum, the Latin translation of Bachelor of Arts.

How are graduation honors determined?

Honors are conferred based on the student’s cumulative grade-point average (GPA), and the minimum marks will be calculated within designated percentiles of the current cumulative GPA of the senior class in each school (see the undergraduate bulletin for a full explanation).

Students completing their degree requirements in May will have their tentative graduation honors, based on GPA at press time, listed in the commencement program. Final honors, determined after all spring grades have been included, are posted on diplomas and final transcripts.

I am graduating with honors.  Will I receive a cord or stole?

Students graduating summa cum laude will receive a summa cord, which they will be invited to pick up in the CAS Dean’s Office during Commencement week. Students with questions about other cords/stoles should consult the program or honors society directly. Please note that most programs/societies do not issue regalia.

I’m a double major. Will I receive two degrees? Two diplomas?

No. A double major earns only one degree. Students double majoring in fields that lead to different degrees (e.g., Biology and English) receive the degree associated with their first major.

Are majors, minors, certificates, and honors indicated on the diploma?

Your diploma will include only your name, date of graduation, degree earned, and graduation honors (e.g., summa cum laude) as appropriate. Majors, minors, certificates, and departmental honors are not marked on the diploma but do appear on your official transcript.

What is the size of the diploma? Where can I buy a frame for it? How should I display it?

The Georgetown diploma measures 17 in. (43 cm.) wide by 14 in. (35.5 cm.) high. Diploma frames are available at the Georgetown University Bookstore.

What happens if I owe the university money? Can I still graduate?

Though the degree is conferred, university policy dictates that any student with an unpaid balance will not be issued a diploma or transcript until the account is settled. For seniors, there will be special billings in March and April. Please check the status of your account in early May to make certain that your account is clear.

What is Tropaia?

Tropaia (the name is from the Ancient Greek, from which we derive the English word trophy) is the College’s annual awards ceremony. Highlights include departmental awards, several College-wide awards for outstanding seniors, the Bunn Award for Faculty Excellence and Bunn address, and the Cohonguroton address. See the undergraduate bulletin for a full list of awards. Students being honored will receive invitations in the spring, but all students and families are welcome to celebrate their friends and classmates.

What is Phi Beta Kappa? Do I need to apply?

One of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honors societies, Phi Beta Kappa recognizes scholarly attainment in the liberal arts and sciences. Each year, students in the top 10 percent of the College of Arts & Sciences graduating class who meet all other eligibility requirements are invited to join. There is no application process, as all eligible candidates receive an invitation to join in late March or early April. The PBK initiation ceremony takes place on Thursday evening of commencement week.

August Graduation

When do I walk? Can I participate in the May commencement ceremony?

The College only holds one ceremony each year, in May. August graduates may participate in either the May ceremony immediately preceding their date of graduation or the May ceremony immediately following the completion of the degree. Students who can demonstrate a plan to complete their remaining requirements (up to 12 credits) by August are eligible to participate in the May commencement ceremony preceding their graduation date. August candidates participating in the May commencement ceremony preceding their graduation date have their names read as usual, integrated with the May graduates, but their names are not printed in the Commencement book.

Do I need to do anything special to attend the May commencement? 

To participate in the ceremony that precedes your date of graduation, you should speak to your dean and confirm that your degree progress permits your participation. August graduates will automatically be on mailing lists for both the May ceremony that precedes and the May ceremony that follows their degree completion.

Will my name be listed in the commencement program?

No, if you are participating in the ceremony that precedes the date of your formal graduation. The program lists the names of students who have completed all degree requirements. The program printed for the following year’s May ceremony will include full name, high school, and academic honors as appropriate for all August graduates. 

When will I receive my diploma?

Diplomas for August graduates are ordered in early September. Diplomas will be mailed (by registered mail) to the student’s permanent address, as reported on the Application for the Degree. If you have special instructions about where to mail your diploma, please contact the Dean’s Office.

What about Senior Week?

Senior Week is managed by the Senior Class Committee, which can provide more details. August graduates may participate in the Senior Week that precedes or follows their graduation date, but may only participate once.

How do I assure an employer or graduate school that I have graduated? 

We conduct the formal review of the August degree candidates in September each year, and notify the registrar to post the degree on your transcript. If you need a certification letter indicating the conferral of the degree, please contact the dean’s office.

December Graduation

Is there a ceremony in December?

No, there is no ceremony for December graduates. For the most up to date details on the May 2024 ceremony, please visit the Commencement website.

When do I walk? Can I participate in the May commencement ceremony?

CAS only holds one ceremony each year, in May. December graduates are invited to participate in the May ceremony immediately following the completion of the degree.

Do I need to do anything special to attend the May commencement?

No. We will expect your participation in Commencement the following May unless you inform us that you will not attend.

When do I get my diploma?

Diplomas for December graduates are ordered by mid-January. Diplomas will be mailed (by registered mail) to the student’s permanent address, as reported on the Application for the Degree. If you have special instructions about where to mail your diploma, please contact the dean’s office.

How do I assure an employer or graduate school that I have graduated?

We conduct the formal review of the December degree candidates in late January each year, and notify the registrar to post the degree on your transcript. If you need a certification letter indicating the conferral of the degree, please contact the dean’s office.

Alumni Resources

Do I get to keep my email after I graduate? What about online storage?

You have your Georgetown email and Google Drive Service indefinitely.

You’ll lose access to:

  • Microsoft Office 365
  • Georgetown Box 
  • GU software website

What about my online records, including requesting a transcript?

You will continue to have access to MyAccess.

Do I still have access to the library?

Access to Lauinger’s online services is limited. Alumni have access to a specific set of databases that have been licensed for alumni use. You can access them through our Alumni Access to Full-Text Articles page on the Library’s website. There is a wide range of access available to support your personal research! Please note that, as an alumnus, you must use the links on Alumni Access to Full-Text Articles page. While there is overlap between the electronic resources on this page and in our other database lists, subject guides, and in HoyaSearch, only the access points listed here permit alumni access.

Can I still use resources from the Cawley Career Center?

Alumni who have graduated in the past three class years have access to 1:1 appointments with Cawley staff members. Each alumnae can schedule up to three appointments with a Career Exploration staff member and three appointments with an Industry Advisor within a calendar year. All appointments can be made through Handshake.

Alumni of all years are welcome to access jobs and to attend select career fairs, as they are available on Handshake. Alumni of all years are also welcome to stop by our drop-in appointments for general questions or document reviews. Additionally, Georgetown’s Alumni Career Services works to provide alumni with lifelong career development and networking opportunities at all stages of career development.