FAQs

The date for Commencement 2026 is May 10, 2026.

The full schedule for Commencement 2026 is available on the Schedule page.

Bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates who completed their coursework between December 2025 and August 2026 are invited to participate in the 2026 Commencement ceremonies. Under extenuating circumstances, candidates who do not meet this requirement may petition to their home school/college(s) for permission to participate.

Doctoral candidates must have certified their degree by April 2026 to participate. For information, visit the Graduate School website.

It is the student’s responsibility to know and fulfill all degree requirements for graduation. Participation in  Commencement does not indicate that all degree requirements have been completed.

Yes. All graduating students must register to indicate their intent to attend the 2026 Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 10, 2026, and confirm an estimated number of attendees.

Registration is for graduation candidates only. Parents, family, friends and/or guests DO NOT need to complete the registration form.

Registration information will be used to estimate total attendance for planning purposes. There this no limit to the number of guests you can bring. If your guest counts change, you DO NOT need to resubmit your registration.

At this time, tickets are not required.

Syracuse University adheres to New York State/Onondaga County public health guidelines and protocols that could impact admission requirements, capacities for large gatherings and ceremony dates and times. Syracuse University students will be notified of any significant change to the academic calendar that would impact key ceremonies like Commencement.

At this time, there is no limit the number of guests you can bring. All graduation candidates must register to indicate their intent to attend the 2026 Commencement ceremony on Sunday, May 10, 2026, and confirm an estimated number of attendees.

Syracuse University adheres to state and local public health guidelines that could impact the capacity in our on-campus spaces and will notify graduation candidates of any capacity limits prior to Commencement weekend activities.

Graduates should arrive at the JMA Wireless Dome no later than 8:30 a.m. for Commencement on Sunday, May 10. The graduate entrance is Gate D.

The JMA Wireless Dome gates open at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 10 for all guests. Commencement begins promptly at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Commencement is the University-wide ceremony for all undergraduate, graduate and doctoral candidates. The Syracuse University Chancellor and President formally confer degrees at the Commencement ceremony. The duration of the ceremony is usually 2 hours.

Syracuse University Doctoral, graduate and undergraduates students may file the Diploma Request online via MySlice by March 1, 2026.

Diplomas are mailed to all degree recipients after the certification and awarding process is complete. Diplomas are sent to the permanent address on file unless an alternative address is specified within the Diploma Request. File the Diploma Request on MySlice.