Graduation

For all ceremonies, complimentary parking will be available in Lots A, C, and K. Expect heavy traffic on and around the Fairfax Campus, particularly on Braddock Road. Drivers should follow signage and traffic controls.

What to expect at the College of Public Health Degree Celebration

We will have brief remarks from Dean Perry and the Department Chairs, and there will be special recognition for our doctoral graduates. During the College of Public Health Celebration of Graduates, all graduates will have the opportunity to cross the stage and have their names called individually. Family and friends are free to attend in-person or virtually.

Share Your Creativity and Celebrate Your Achievement with a Decorated Cap

We encourage Mason graduates to share their individuality and diversity through a creatively decorated cap.

Questions?

Email cph@gmu.edu

Graduation is not automatic, and students must initiate the process. Please refer to the Registrar’s Office graduation webpages for complete instructions on how to apply to graduate, tips for a smooth degree conferral process, and critical deadlines.  If you miss the deadline to file the online graduation application through Patriot Web, you must use the paper Late Graduation Application form. We cannot guarantee your name will be in program if the online graduation application deadline has passed.

All students participating in the ceremonies must wear a cap and gown. You can order your cap and gown, announcements, diploma frame, and other graduation items through the University bookstore.

If you and your guests choose to attend any of the live graduation ceremonies, please show respect and dignity to your faculty, your fellow graduates, and their families by remaining for the entire event.  It is not appropriate or acceptable to walk out before all fellow graduates attending have been recognized and the ceremony has officially ended. If you or your guests are not able to stay for the entire ceremony, please watch the streaming broadcast online from home or a remote location.

Please read all security notices to avoid issues at the entrances to the ceremonies:

We are asking all guests and graduates do NOT bring a bag to the graduation ceremonies in order to help expedite the entry for all guests. Everyone entering will be required to go through a security weapons detection monitor.  If you require a bag for your personal belongings, the bag must adhere to venue policies. Please note the list of prohibited items ahead of time, so that there are no issues at the entrances.

May 14, 2026

FACULTY are strongly encouraged to participate in the Graduation events. If you are planning on participating, you are asked to wear regalia if possible. Please reach out to OSA if you are interested in helping.

All George Mason faculty and staff must present their Mason ID or G Number for entrance into the arena.

8:00 am: Doctoral candidates and their advisors meet for continental breakfast and robing at the EagleBank Arena upper floor East Concourse.

8:20 am: Faculty marshals are asked to be in position on the arena floor
Please note: Only the Platform Party will meet in the Hospitality Room, lower level. All other faculty, please report to the arena floor to assist with student seating. 

10:00 am: The Commencement ceremony begins at 10 a.m., and the ceremony usually lasts about two hours. 
 

Faculty are strongly encouraged to participate in both University Commencement and the Public Health Degree Celebrations If you plan to attend, please wear regalia. 

To support faculty participation, the University will pay for the rental of regalia through the George Mason Bookstore by any faculty member who will make the commitment to attend and participate as a marshal.

Tickets are required for all guests. Faculty who are not participating but wish to attend should obtain tickets directly from a graduate or email gmuevent@gmu.edu to request tickets.

Rental Regalia Orders

• Contact the University Bookstore in person or via email at sm366@bncollege.com.
• Order Deadline: April 10, 2026 (to avoid a $25.00 late fee. )
  Please note that the University is not responsible for any late charges.
• University Bookstore Pickup: Available starting May 4, 2026.
  Orders placed after the deadline may be delayed; please call the bookstore to confirm availability before visiting.
• Returns: All rental regalia must be returned no later than May 18, 2026.
  You will be responsible for paying the replacement cost if you do not return the regalia. 
  If you need alternate arrangements, please email the bookstore.
• The University follows American Council of Education guidelines for regalia.

Faculty advisors are invited to accompany their doctoral candidates to the stage and hood them during the University Commencement ceremony.  If you do not own regalia, please follow the instructions above to place your order.

Doctoral candidates are hooded only at Commencement.

On the day of University Commencement:

• Arrive at the EagleBank Arena loading dock entrance no later than 8 am
• You will be directed to breakfast with doctoral candidates, advisors, and marshals on the Concourse Level, East Side.
• University Marshals will then guide you and your doctoral candidate to the arena level near the Hospitality Room for processional lineup.
• Advisors will process and be seated with their doctoral student.
  At the appropriate time, the marshals will bring you and your student up to the stage.
  You will hood your student before they cross the stage, then both of you will cross and return to your seats.

Prior to the day of Commencement, please view this brief video on hooding instructions.

Additional Instructions for faculty advisors hooding Doctoral Candidates at CPH Degree Celebration:

Just before the ceremony begins (around 9:15 am), the University Marshals will direct you and your doctoral candidate to the processional lineup. Doctoral students should have their hoods on with their regalia, as formal hooding will have taken place at the university commencement on May 14.

Advisors will process in and be seated with the doctoral student. At the appropriate time, marshals will direct you and your student up to the stage. After your student’s name is called, you will walk to the center of the stage (designated space will be marked), place the CPH medal on your student, and then return to the seating area. 

The Presentation of Degrees

College staff will cue students to the stage at the appropriate time. When your students are cued to the stage, marshals should stand in the aisle to facilitate students returning to their rows. Graduates should be discouraged from leaving before the ceremony has ended out of respect for their fellow graduates. Students who need to use a restroom should be directed to the college staff in the back of the arena who will direct them to a restroom.

Recessional

At the end of the Degree Celebration, the platform party leaves first, followed by the faculty, the doctoral students, and the bachelor’s and master’s students. Please assist by having students ready to exit row-by-row to their right (when facing stage), beginning front row to back row. All will exit through the loading dock doors in the rear of the arena. There is a reception at Peterson Hall for students, friends, and families following the ceremony.

Platform Party: Only members of the Platform Party and invited guests will meet in the Hospitality Room (Lower Level).

Faculty Marshals: Report to Lot A near loading dock no later than 8:15 am

General Faculty (not marshalling): Check in and gather in Lot A no later than 9:10 am

Contact cph@gmu.edu