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A centered view of the 2025 commencement stage. The photo was taken down the aisle, so the left and right sides of the photo are flanked by sitting graduates.

Photo Gallery: Graduate Commencement 2025

Monday May 18th and Tuesday, May 19th 2026

John Lyman Center for Performing Arts

501 Crescent St, New Haven, CT

The university will hold its spring graduate commencement ceremony, for students receiving Doctoral Degrees, Master’s Degrees, Sixth Year Professional Di­plomas, Post-Master Certificates, and Graduate Certificates.

Details about times and days of each college/school’s separate ceremonies will be forthcoming in the spring.

Commencement Guide

Participation Eligibility

Students who complete their degree or diploma requirements in the Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 semesters are eligible to participate.

Students who are completing the final credits of coursework towards their degree during the Summer Session 2026 are also eligible to participate in graduate commencement. All degree requirements must be completed before August 31, 2026.

Please note that participation in commencement is not a confirmation of graduation from your program and diplomas are not issued at the event.  

Students must complete an online Commencement Participation Form to walk in their commencement ceremony. All communications pertaining to Graduate Commencement will be sent to their Southern email address. Please check your account for updates.

Guest Tickets

More information will be available in the spring.

FAQ

To be eligible, you must complete all degree requirements before August 31, 2026. 
 
Log into your Student Portal to review your degree evaluation and confirm any outstanding requirements. If you have questions about your eligibility or course availability, speak with your academic advisor or program coordinator to ensure all requirements can be met on time. 

Yes, please fill out the participation form before February 2nd, 2026 (hard deadline) even if your plans may change. This will allow you to secure guest tickets in the spring. If your plans change, you will be able to indicate so at a later date. Specific ceremony details will be announced in late February.

Completion of the participation form will guide the organization of the ceremonies and help ensure that each participant can receive tickets for their guests. Space is limited in Lyman but the organizational committee will make every effort to offer as many tickets as possible. Specifics on ticketing will be released in late February with the ceremony details.

It is up to you to decide which ceremony to attend. You will only be allowed to attend one ceremony.