Frequently Asked Questions
If your question is not answered below, be sure to email the Degree Celebration event team at cosevent@gmu.edu.
Why do I need to register to the Degree Celebration?
While we may have received your application to graduate through the graduation process we would also like to know how many guests to expect at the degree celebration ceremony and party. We want to make sure we provide enough programs, food and staff to make the events enjoyable.
Do guests need tickets?
Yes. The College of Science Degree Celebration and the University Commencement Ceremony require tickets for guests. Details to secure your tickets below:
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.
Do I need my ID for the degree celebration?
Yes, please bring your Mason student ID to participate in the Degree Celebration.
Who are the degree celebration speakers this year?
2025 Keynote Speaker
Paul Misener, Misener Innovation LLC
Mason alum and 23-year Amazon global VP
Student Speaker
Natasha Latouf, PhD Physics and Astronomy
How do I make sure I can graduate?
Important information about timelines and the entire graduation process can be found on the registrar's website.
Degree candidates eligible to participate in the spring graduation exercises include:
- Doctoral candidates who completed their studies and requirements as of Friday, May 2, 2025 (Including summer and fall 2024).
- All undergraduate and master's degree candidates who completed their studies and requirements as of summer 2025.
Where do I get my cap and gown?
Caps and gowns are a traditional part of the graduation experience.
You can buy regalia in the Mason Bookstore on the Fairfax and Arlington campuses and order regalia online, as well as order a diploma frame or additional Mason products.
You can also choose to purchase doctoral regalia. Purchase cost is $1,003.98 + tax, order in-store by March 28, 2025.
You must go to the bookstore for measurements, whether you rent or buy doctoral regalia.
- The last day to order if purchasing is Sunday, March 16
- The last day to order if renting is Friday, April 4
Rented regalia must be picked up at the Mason bookstore.
Where do I report for the Degree Celebration?
Students (bachelor and master graduates): Report to parking lot A.
Faculty Marshals: All marshals report to parking lot A.
PhD candidates: Report to the green room in EagleBank Arena.
Platform Party and VIP: Report to the green room in EagleBank Arena.
What side do I wear my tassel on?
Tassel Placement
- Undergraduate students – right
- Graduate students (PhD, MS, MA) – left
At the end of the Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, the University President will confer your degrees and ask you to move your tassel from the right to the left (undergraduates).
My family member/guest cannot climb stairs, what can we do?
They may view the ceremony from the designated seats at each portal entrance. For disability accommodations at the ceremony, please call (703) 993-9532 or email cosevent@gmu.edu.
Where is the Degree Celebration Party?
The Celebration Party is located in the Exploratory Hall Atrium immediately following the ceremony.
May I have more than one program?
Yes. Programs for guests are at the entrances to the EagleBank Arena concourse level, staff will assist.
Where should my family stay?
What is at the information booth?
The information booths will be supplied with campus maps and maps of the seating on the EagleBank Arena floor. Programs will be distributed at the main entrances.
What's the difference between the College's Degree Celebration and the University's Commencement Ceremony?
Graduates are encouraged to attend both the university-wide Commencement ceremony, and their specific degree celebration ceremony.
| Question | Mason Science Degree Celebration | University Commencement |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Degree Celebrations are a celebration of graduation sponsored by individual colleges. | Commencement is the celebration of graduation officiated by the University President. It is the official university-wide degree conferral ceremony for all graduates. |
| When and where? | Friday, May 16, 2025 2 p.m. EagleBank Arena | Thursday, May 15, 2025 10 a.m. EagleBank Arena (approximately 2 hours) |
| Who attends? | College of Science graduates and guests only. | The entire university community is invited. |
| Guests and tickets | Tickets are required. | Tickets are required for guests. |
| Recognition | All graduates are individually recognized and photographed on stage receiving their degrees. | PhD graduates are individually recognized, hooded and photographed on stage. All graduates are acknowledged, and degrees are conferred by deans/directors and university president. |
| Cap and gown | Required | Required |
| Speaker | 2025 Keynote Speaker: Paul Misener, Misener Innovation LLC Selected student speaker representing the class of 2025 also delivers an address. | Official university guest speaker delivers Commencement address. Selected student speaker representing the class of 2025 also delivers an address. |
| Televised | The event will be recorded and can be found on the GMU-TV website at the end of May. | Yes, the Commencement exercises will be broadcasted on Mason's channel. Check out GMU-TV's website for complete listings. |
| Additional detailed information | See more details on the College of Science degree celebration ceremony and reception. | Ceremony begins with graduates processing through campus. Degrees are officially conferred by the University President. For more information and detailed FAQs: |