FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Commencement Ceremonies
General information



The main ceremony features the commencement speaker, president, and other notable speakers and honorees. Students will be recognized alongside their school or college. All graduates and six of their guests are invited. Please visit the ticketing section below for additional details.
The individual school, college, or department ceremony is where students individually walk across the stage and have their names read. The event is managed by the graduates’ school, college, or academic department.
No, diplomas will be mailed to the address listed when applying for graduation via TESTUDO. For any questions about your diploma, please contact Diploma Services: 301-314-8270 / diploma@umd.edu.
You will receive a commemorative gift as you cross the stage at at your individual school, college, or department ceremony.
Yes. The University of Maryland will hold its 2026 Main Commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at SECU Stadium. The student processional will begin at 6pm, the ceremony will follow immediately after the conclusion of the processional.
Individual school and college ceremonies are scheduled for Tuesday, May 19 through Friday, May 22, 2026.
You can find all ceremony dates and times on the School & College Ceremonies page.
All eligible graduates are automatically registered to receive commencement update emails. No further action is needed.
Guests who wish to receive commencement update emails and/or text messages may sign up using this form.
Check commencement.umd.edu regularly for up to date commencement information.
For questions about the main ceremony, contact the office of special events at commencement@umd.edu. For questions about your school, college, or department ceremony, contact the appropriate ceremony coordinator.
Graduates are offered the chance for photos to be featured during the main commencement ceremony by submitting photos through our photo submission form by May 2, 2026.
Undergraduate and graduate students who are close to completing their degree requirements may be permitted by their college, at the request of the student, to participate in spring departmental, college, and/or campus commencement activities if they can demonstrate that they intend to complete all degree requirements before the first day of classes in the next fall semester.
Students can view the full guidance and apply for early participation by using the early participation request form.
Photos may be submitted at www.terrapinyearbook.com. For any questions, please email terrapinyearbook@gmail.com.
Graduates should arrive at Cole Field House historic entrance (at the intersection of Campus Drive and Union Lane) no later than the time listed below, based on the school or college they are graduating from. Be sure to have your graduate ticket ready on your mobile device.
The processional lineup will feature a live DJ. Don’t miss out—arrive early!
| 4:30 p.m. Arrival Time | 5:00 p.m. Arrival Time |
|---|---|
| ARCH | AGNR |
| ARHU | CMNS |
| BMGT | EDUC |
| BSOS | JOUR |
| ENGR | ROTC |
| INFO | SPHL |
| PLCY | UGST |
The University is growing, which means there are several construction projects on and off campus. Please plan for traffic delays and plan to arrive early, and use free campus shuttles as needed.
Parking permits are not required, and meters will be turned off from May 19-May 22, in most parking lots on campus.
Parking is available in lots and garages near SECU Stadium, including Regents Drive Garage, lots 1/Z, Terrapin Trail Garage, lot 9B, lot 11B, and lot 4B. Parking lots should be used as wayfinding points when driving to campus.
Walking to SECU stadium is possible from most lots. Shuttles are also available throughout campus. All shuttles are wheelchair accessible.
Guests in wheelchairs and guests with limited mobility arriving to SECU stadium, should park in Stadium Drive Garage, and enter through gates F or G. This is a fully accessible pathway.
When driving to SECU Stadium, guests should enter campus at the entrance closest to the area you will park. Available entrances include; Stadium Drive, Campus Drive and Adelphi Ave., Campus Drive and Baltimore Ave, and 193 and Paint Branch Ave.
Traffic on campus can be busy during commencement. Give yourself additional time to travel to campus for these ceremonies.
Obey all campus parking and traffic signage and regulations.
Campus parking and transportation maps will be available here soon.
The main commencement bag policy at SECU Stadium is as follows:
Graduates - Graduates should bring only necessary items they can carry throughout the ceremony. Clutch-sized bags no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" are permitted and do not have to be clear. Backpacks and bags larger than 4.5"x6.5" are prohibited.
Guests - Clear bags no larger than 12"x12"x6" are permitted. They will be searched, which can delay entry, so we recommend avoiding bags if possible. Backpacks are prohibited.

Main ceremony: Each graduate is eligible to claim six guest tickets and one personal ticket to the main ceremony. Tickets will be available to claim at 10am on April 13 2026 until May 11th, via the Athletics student ticket site. Graduates should visit the "Sign In as Student" link to claim their tickets.
Learn more about the mobile ticketing system and how to transfer your tickets to guests here.
Individual school, college, or department ceremonies: Contact the School or College ceremony directly for specific ticketing details. All ticketed ceremonies will be indicated as such on the School & Colleges Ceremonies page by April 2026; if you have additional questions after reviewing, please contact your school, college, or department using the contact information on that page.
Yes, concessions will be available at the Main Ceremony at SECU stadium with water and food options. Only cashless payment options are available.
Check venue or ceremony details for concessions options at the School & College Ceremonies.
Artificial Noisemakers
Balloons
Dangerous or Disruptive Behavior
Fireworks / Firearms
Flammables of any kind
Illegal Substances
Laser Pointers
Outside Food or Drink of any kind*
Pass-Outs / Re-Entry
Pets*
Resale of Ticket
Sign Poles or Sign Sticks
Signage, Apparel or other Items that display, depict or represent recognizable symbols and/or words, including nooses and swastikas, that incite, intimidate, or threaten members of the University of Maryland community.
Skateboards / Bicycles
Smoking
Soliciting / Loitering / Trespassing
Strollers
Umbrellas
Video Cameras (Large only; small hand-held permitted)
Weapons (both real and facsimiles)
Any other items or actions deemed dangerous or disruptive to any guest experience
*Exceptions will be made for those with medical requirements and/or special needs.
Visit the Accessibility page for additional information.
In the event of a delay, information will be shared on commencement.umd.edu. The main ceremony is a rain or shine event. If outstanding circumstances cause a delay in the main ceremony the event will be moved to Thursday, May 21 with the same timing. The student processional will begin at 6 p.m.
Yes, regalia must be worn to participate in any ceremony.
Visit the Regalia Information page for details on ordering.
Everyone attending main ceremony should have a ticket. If you need to request additional tickets please use this form.
Main ceremony: Each graduate is eligible to claim six guest tickets and one personal ticket to the main ceremony. Tickets will be available to claim at 10am on April 13 2026 until May 11th, via the Athletics student ticket site. Graduates should visit the "Sign In as Student" link to claim their tickets.
Learn more about the mobile ticketing system and how to transfer your tickets to guests here.
Individual school, college, or department ceremonies: Contact the School or College ceremony directly for specific ticketing details. All ticketed ceremonies will be indicated as such on the School & Colleges Ceremonies page by April 2026; if you have additional questions after reviewing, please contact your school, college, or department using the contact information on that page.
The Athletics Ticketing Office can troubleshoot technical issues with ticket claims. Contact the office at 1-800-IM-A-TERP for assistance.
Yes, all ceremonies are livestreamed. Check the home page on event day for the livestream link of the Main Ceremony. School and College ceremony links will be available on the School and College information page.
University of Maryland staff photo and film many commencement activities. By taking part in commencement activities you grant the University of Maryland full rights to use the images resulting from the photography/video filming, and any reproductions or adaptations of the images for fundraising, publicity or other purposes to help achieve the groups’ aims. This might include (but is not limited to), the right to use them in print collateral and online publicity, social media, press releases and funding applications.
GradImages, a photography partner, will take photographs of each graduate as they cross the stage at their school or college ceremony. They will also take photos of every graduate at the main ceremony, prior to the procession. While there is no obligation to purchase prints, the graduate will receive color proofs emailed approximately two weeks after commencement. In order to receive the proofs, be sure to complete the address card distributed in the line-up area prior to the procession.
Finding your graduate’s photos after the ceremony is easy. Visit www.gradimages.com to view and purchase custom photo products like prints, plaques, specialty gifts, and more.
You can also pre-register your contact information using this direct link. Upon completion, you will receive a coupon code for 20% off an order of $50 or more.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your photos, please contact our Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net. GradImages has a large team of customer care representatives ready to help graduates and family members with anything they may need.
Yes, guests are permitted to take photos and videos at the main ceremony. All cameras must fit in bags that comply with the bag policy.
