Ceremony Information
The Graduate Commencement Ceremony will last about 2 hours. The ceremony will include remarks by featured student speakers, invited guests, and university officials. Degrees will be conferred and students will cross the stage as their names are read. Hoods will be presented to PhD recipients as part of the graduate ceremony.
More information about the undergraduate ceremony
Graduate students who completed their degrees in August 2025 or February 2026 are invited to participate. Master’s level students on track for a completion by August 2026 may participate. PhD graduates will need to fulfill all requirements of the degree including dissertation defense, revision, submission, and acceptance before participating in Commencement.
Please read this important information carefully. If you have any questions about the Commencement program or this information, please email commencement@brandeis.edu.
Graduate Schedule for Commencement Day
Sunday, May 17
| Time | Ceremony |
|---|---|
| 7:30 a.m. | Formation of Undergraduate Academic Procession Undergraduates, dignitaries, faculty, and honorees will assemble to form the Academic Procession for the morning’s Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony. |
| 9 – 11:30 a.m. | Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony |
| 2 p.m. |
Formation of Graduate Academic Procession All graduates (Master’s and PhD) attending the 3 p.m. ceremony must line up for the academic procession in the designated area in the Brandeis Athletics area. After lining up, the procession will enter Gosman for the main ceremony. |
| 3 – 5 p.m. |
Graduate Commencement Ceremony Graduate degrees will be conferred en masse, honorary degrees will be recognized and addresses will be given. All participating graduates will be presented individually as their name is called and walk across the stage. The program will begin promptly at 3 p.m. Please advise your guests that admission into the arena (through the main doors on the arena level) will be permitted only with the presentation of The Graduate Commencement Ceremony will also be streamed live. Note: Doors will close promptly at 2:50 p.m. to allow room for the academic procession. Doors will reopen following the conclusion of the procession at approximately 3 p.m. |
During the ceremonies, photography will be permitted from your seats or designated areas only. For the safety and sightlines of guests and participants, we appreciate your cooperation in not blocking aisles or walkways.
Professional photographers will capture graduates crossing the stage as well as a posed photo of each graduate and will be available for purchase following the ceremony directly from GradImages. Additional details and individual proofs will be emailed to each graduate.