Commencement FAQs

The Yale Graduate School’s 2026 Convocation Ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

The Yale Graduate School’s 2026 Convocation Ceremony will be held at the Yale University Art Gallery (1111 Chapel Street, New Haven).

During the Graduate School, Convocation Ceremony, the school awards academic prizes to graduating students. Students receiving prizes will be notified in advance.

No, tickets are not required for guests. Student prize winners should let the Graduate School Dean’s Office know if they plan to attend.

Award recipients, their families, friends, faculty members, and classmates are invited to attend the Graduate School’s Convocation Ceremony. No tickets are required. 

May 18, 2026

On Commencement Day, graduates should arrive at 8:30am in Caulkins Courtyard at the McDougal Center (135 Prospect Street) to process to Cross Campus and join the University Procession.

The University Commencement Ceremony begins at 10:30am and the Graduate School Diploma Ceremony begins at approximately 12pm, or soon after the conclusion of the University Ceremony.  
 

The Yale University Commencement Ceremony is held on Yale’s Old Campus (344 College Street, New Haven, CT). The Graduate School’s Diploma Ceremony is held at Woolsey Hall (500 College Street, New Haven, CT)

• University Commencement Ceremony (Old Campus): All university degrees are formally conferred during this ceremony. The Deans formally present their approved candidates to the President, who then confers the degrees and admits new graduates. Student marshals accept symbolic diplomas on behalf of their colleagues.
   
• Graduate School Diploma Ceremony (Woolsey Hall): The ceremony begins with remarks from Dean Lynn Cooley, after which degree recipients are called to the stage. The name of each graduate is called, and they walk on stage to receive their diploma folder and congratulations from the dean and their professors. Actual diplomas will be mailed by the Registrar after Commencement.   

Yes, all registered degree candidates will receive their seat assignments via Yale email a few days before the ceremony.

No, Woolsey Hall is not air-conditioned.

Yes, there are approximately 5-6 spaces on the floor level of Woolsey Hall for those with reduced mobility, available on a first-come, first-served basis on Commencement Day.

There is some stroller parking at Woolsey Hall, but graduates should contact the University Commencement Office (university.events@yale.edu) regarding policies for Old Campus.

All bags must be clear and no larger than 12” x 12” x 12”. A bag check truck will be available outside Phelps Gate. 

Yes, medical / diaper bags are permitted at the Old Campus and Woolsey Hall ceremonies. 

Yes, the University Commencement Ceremony and the Graduate School Diploma Ceremony will be live-streamed.  A link will be shared closer to the event date. 

The following are prohibited at all University Commencement events: 

• Signs or flags larger than 8.5” x 11”
• Banners
• Balloons/inflatables
• Any objects larger than 12” x 12” x 12”
• Laser pointers or similar items
• Wireless speakers and sound amplification of any kind including bullhorns
• Drones
• Noisemakers and compressed air devises 

Contact university.events@yale.edu with any questions about the Old Campus ceremony or refer to the University's Commencement FAQs webpage. 

New Haven hotels sell out early for Yale’s Commencement. If you have access to a vehicle, you may consider a hotel or Airbnb rental in the greater New Haven area. Towns like Hamden, Branford, West Haven, Milford, and Orange are all within a short driving distance.

Contact university.events@yale.edu with any questions about the Old Campus ceremony or refer to the University's Commencement FAQs webpage.

Yes, December 2025 and May 2026 graduates of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences should register to participate in Commencement activities. A link will be posted when registration opens. 

No, graduating students do not need tickets, but they should register their attendance. Guest tickets are required for the University Commencement Ceremony on Old Campus and graduate students will receive two (2) guest tickets to the Old Campus ceremony. 

During registration, students have the opportunity to enter a lottery for one (1) additional guest ticket. Graduates should contact university.events@yale.edu for more information on guest tickets.

Children ages 3 and under do not require a ticket. However, they cannot occupy a seat and must sit in the lap of a ticketed guest. Contact university.events@yale.edu for more details. 

No, the GSAS Diploma Ceremony in Woolsey Hall is not ticketed. 

The Department of State accepts invitation letters written by students as a supplemental documents for the visa applications of family members and friends coming to Commencement. We have been advised that students should not need a separate support letter from OISS or their Yale school for the visa applications. You can also see the relevant section here under “Additional Documentation May Be Required”: 

To supplement your application, you can use the Commencement invitation sent by Secretary Goff Crews in November 2025. You can find it here.

Students can also obtain an enrollment certificate from the Registrar’s Office showing their student status at Yale, and order a personalized Commencement announcement to prove your graduation.  

All December 2025 and May 2026 degree recipients (terminal MA, MS, MPhil, and PhD degrees) are invited to participate. You must submit your dissertation by the March 15 deadline in order to walk in the May Commencement.   

En route Master's degrees may not participate in the Commencement ceremonies. Students who are receiving the MS degree in Public Health will have their degrees conferred at the Yale School of Public Health Diploma Ceremony instead of the GSAS Diploma Ceremony. 

Yes, you must submit your dissertation by the March 15 deadline in order to walk in the May Commencement. 

Yes, December 2025 degree recipients are invited to participate in May 2026 Commencement exercises.

Per GSAS policy, students may only participate in Commencement in the academic year that their degree is conferred.  
 

Exceptions may be granted only in rare extenuating circumstances. To request an exception, send a detailed message to GSCommencement@yale.edu. 

Students who are receiving the MS degree in Public Health will have their degrees conferred at the Yale School of Public Health Diploma Ceremony instead of the Graduate School’s Diploma Ceremony. MS degree recipients in Public Health should consult YSPH Commencement site for information about this event.

Yes, academic regalia is required to participate in Commencement activities.

Please refer to this webpage for more information on ordering regalia. Questions should be directed to asa@yale.edu. 

To avoid late fees, all regalia orders must be placed by 4:00 p.m. on March 27, 2026. Please refer to this webpage for more information on ordering regalia. Questions should be directed to asa@yale.edu. 

Yes. All orders placed between March 28 and April 10, 2026 will be subject to a $10.00 late fee. Orders received after 4:00 p.m. on April 10 will not be processed. Visit the ASA website for more information.

No. Caps and gowns ordered via Yale’s portal are made of GreenWeaver material and intended for 1-2 uses. 

Please refer to the regalia guide here.

Yale University Degree Colors 

Liberal Arts (B.A., M.A.) — white 
Science (B.S., M.S.) — gold-yellow 
Architecture — blue-violet 
Art and Drama — brown 
Divinity — scarlet 
Forestry — russet 
Law — purple 
Management — sapphire blue 
Medicine — green 
Music — pink 
Nursing — apricot 
Public Health — salmon pink 
Engineering — orange 

The color for Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Philosophy degrees, regardless of department, is dark blue. 

Student cap & gown distribution for graduate students begins May 13, 2026. Please refer to this webpage for the distribution schedule. Questions should be directed to asa@yale.edu. 

No. Starting in 2026, diplomas for both December 2025* and May 2026 degree conferrals will be mailed, although you will walk across the stage during the ceremony to receive the congratulations of the dean and your professors.

*Please note that during this transition phase, December 2025 degree recipients will have the option to pick up their diploma in person at the Registrar's Office. If you plan to pick up your diploma in person, please email the Registrar's Office and indicate that your diploma should be held at the office. Diplomas will be available for pickup or mailing by the end of March. 

Starting in 2026, diplomas for both December* and May degree conferrals will be mailed.  

*Please note that during this transition phase, December 2025 degree recipients will have the option to pick up their diploma in person at the Registrar's Office. If you plan to pick up your diploma in person, please email the Registrar's Office and indicate that your diploma should be held at the office. Diplomas for December degree conferrals will be available for pickup or mailing by the end of March.  

Yale’s University Registrar’s Office produces and maintains all official diploma documents for Yale College, the Graduate School, and the professional schools. Please refer to their website for more information.

To edit the name you wish to appear on your diploma, and add your diploma mailing address and diploma email address, take the following steps:

• Log into Yale Hub.
• From the Main Menu, select the “Commencement” tab and click on the link in the Diploma Name box.
• Complete the form and submit it online. Note: if you have legally changed your name, you must include official documentation confirming the name change.
• All students should enter a diploma address and diploma email address that will be active six to ten weeks following commencement. Failure to enter a valid diploma address will result in not receiving your diploma.

To edit the name you wish to appear on your diploma, and add your diploma mailing address and diploma email address, take the following steps:

• Log into Yale Hub.
• From the Main Menu, select the “Commencement” tab and click on the link in the Diploma Name box.
• Complete the form and submit it online. Note: if you have legally changed your name, you must include official documentation confirming the name change.
• All students should enter a diploma address and diploma email address that will be active six to ten weeks following commencement. Failure to enter a valid diploma address will result in not receiving your diploma.

Please contact the University Registrar’s Office with any questions about diplomas.