Degree Celebration

You can now reserve tickets for your friends and family at the College of Science Degree Celebration and George Mason University's Commencement Ceremony. Please note that you must reserve tickets for EACH of these events. 

College of Science Degree Celebration Tickets

Tickets for college degree celebrations will be available starting Monday, March 3. The deadline to claim tickets is Friday, March 28. If tickets are still available, a second opportunity to register for additional tickets will be announced on Thursday, April 3. Graduates will receive an email from the ticketing portal, Tassel. 

University Commencement Tickets

Tickets for the University Commencement ceremony will be available starting Monday, March 17. The deadline to claim Commencement tickets is April 8. If tickets are still available, a second opportunity to register for additional tickets will be announced on Thursday, April 10.

Follow the instructions in those emails to register for tickets. Please only claim the number of tickets that are necessary for your guests. All guests aged 2 and above will need a ticket.

Graduates will not need a ticket for themselves but are required to present their individual GRAD Pass, obtained through Tassel, for each ceremony they attend.

Only graduates who have filed their intent, registered with Tassel and claimed their Stage Pass will be eligible to participate in commencement and degree celebrations

Please arrive on time as anyone entering a graduation ceremony venue will need to go through weapon detection systems and security. This includes all students, faculty, staff and guests.  Please visit the EagleBank Arena website for additional information on security.

12:45 p.m. Students Line-Up in Parking Lot A 

1:30 p.m. Processional Preparation

1:45 p.m. Processional

2:00 p.m. Call to Order and Welcome

2:15 p.m. Ceremonial Address

2:30 a.m. Presentation of Diplomas

3:45 p.m. Reception

Graduates are encouraged to attend both the university-wide Commencement ceremony, and their specific degree celebration ceremony.

The College of Science Degree Celebration, taking place May 16, 2025, is a celebration of our graduating Mason Science students. All graduates are individually recognized and photographed on stage receiving their degrees.

Commencement, taking place on May 15, 2025, is the celebration of graduation officiated by the University President. It is the official university-wide degree conferral ceremony for all graduates. PhD graduates are individually recognized, hooded and photographed on stage. All graduates are acknowledged, and degrees are conferred by deans/directors and university president.

Registration and Information for Graduates

• Assemble at 12:45 p.m. in Parking Lot A at the sign for your degree and major.
• You will be given a card on which to write your name as it sounds (phonetically). You will hand this card to the usher on stage; this is how your name will be read properly as you walk across the stage.
• Wear your cap and gown when you arrive. You will not be allowed to participate without a cap and gown.

Guest Information

• Doors open at 12:55 p.m. Seats are first-come-first-served.
• Tickets are required for this event.
• Parking: Please park in any surface lot as directed by the parking attendants.

Rain Plan
If it is raining in the afternoon of Friday, May 16 there will be no procession for bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates. 

Instead, graduates should report directly to the EagleBank Arena via the loading dock on the lower level of the East side. You will be seated by college and by major on the floor. Look for signs indicating your college and major. 

Faculty marshals will be there to assist you. Call 703-993-1000 if you’re unsure about the line-up location because of weather conditions.

Disability Accommodations
For disability accommodations at the ceremony, please email cosevent@gmu.edu.

Have questions?
Please email cosevent@gmu.edu. Also, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.