Commencement FAQs

All graduates must wear academic regalia, which consists of cap, gown and hood for the Commencement ceremony. 

Business attire is appropriate under the gown. Dress shoes are required. Avoid uncomfortable shoes or extreme high-heeled shoes as navigation of stairs and carpeted areas is required. 

Graduates may also wear any University-approved honor society cords, pins and Notre Dame medals.  There are no cords for Latin Honors; however, students with Latin Honors will have them announced as their names are read during the ceremony.

Stoles are not permitted unless the graduating student is a Morrissy Honors student.

See Academic Regalia for more information.

If you forget your regalia for commencement, please see Donna Jenkins. She will have a few caps and gowns readily available for use.

Graduates will check in at the Baltimore Convention Center upon arrival on Level 4. There will be a Check-in Desk.

All graduating students will receive a card at check-in. The card will list your name as it appears on your diploma and Latin Honors (if applicable). DO NOT LOSE THIS CARD. 

You will hold onto this card during the processional--and at your seat--and will hand it to the reader before your name is announced. Please do not add or erase any notations on the card.

Once you arrive at the venue, please locate your School in the designated line-up area. There will be signs posted with School names. (Please note: If you have a role in the ceremony, you will be lining up with your School as well. Further directions will be provided in advance to you if this is the case.)

• Women's College and College of Adult Undergraduate Studies graduates will line up together via School and in alpha order by last name.
• Masters Graduates will line up by School and in alpha order by last name.
• PharmD students will line up separately (noted by PharmD sign) and in alpha order by last name.
• PhD students will line up separately (noted by PhD sign) and in alpha order by last name.

Your department chairs along with staff volunteers will be there to assist you.  

You should be in place in line by 10:15 a.m. at the absolute latest. Please be patient and courteous during this important process. The procession will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. so you must be in line at that time.

We’d prefer that you didn’t leave the line-up area. There are bathrooms inside the line-up area, and there will be bobby pins and safety pins available. The University’s Giftshop will also be in this space should you need any last-minute regalia. No family members or guests are allowed in these areas. You must be in line by 10:15 a.m. at the absolute latest.

No. There will not be a secure area to leave your belongings.

Please do not carry purses or large bags with you as they will be cumbersome and you will not be able to leave them at your seat once you are in the arena for the ceremony. Please give these items to family members or guests to hold until after the ceremony. If you need to bring something, we strongly suggest items that may fit into your pockets or small, wallet-sized bags with shoulder straps that can be worn under your academic gown.

Guard your card! You will need it during the ceremony. Do not add or delete anything on the card. If you feel there is an error, please check with the Registrar as only they are permitted to make any adjustments.

During the ceremony, the Student Marshal and ushers will direct one row of graduates at a time to approach the stage. This is when you will present your card to the reader. 

After you have handed your card to the reader, immediately proceed to the center of the stage where you will meet the President. Do not wait for your name to be called as this will slow the line. Rest assured that giving the timing and flow, your name will be called once you reach center stage—so keep walking!

When you process in, drape your hood over your left arm. All graduates will be hooded as part of the ceremony. 

The point of the cap aligns with your nose. Tassels are laid to the left of the cap prior to the ceremony. 

Honor society cords and University-approved medals are permitted.

See Academic Regalia for more information.

At 10:30 a.m. bells in the venue will toll and the Student Marshall will lead two lines:

• One for undergraduate studies (all students will be lined up on the 4^th floor, West side of the Ballrooms)
• One for graduate studies (all students will be lined up on the 4th floor, West side of the Ballrooms)

All graduates will be lined up by School and in alpha order by student's last name. Each School will have their own School Marshal that will guide graduates into the Ballroom.

After the ringing of the bells promptly at 10:30 a.m., the Student Marshal will lead the procession. This part of the ceremony is essentially "follow the leader." You will sit in the designated sections in front of the stage. Follow the Student Marshal and Commencement staff as they will indicate when to start a new row. It will be a tight fit! Squeeze in!

Please follow directions quickly and quietly.

When you reach your seat, remain standing for the Invocation and America the Beautiful until both are completed. Your programs will be on your seats. You will sit for the next part. 

When asked for candidates, for example, of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Sciences to rise, stand up! A designated baccalaureate will then go to the front of the stage to be hooded by the University's President. While the hooding occurs, all undergraduate studies graduates will put on their hoods, too. Please help each other out through this hooding process. 

All masters and doctorate graduates will be hooded by faculty, either prior to walking across stage or on stage.

You will be prompted by University staff and faculty to go up to the stage, so please do so quietly and quickly.

Undergraduate students will be the first to receive their degree folders followed by MA/MS graduates, CASE, School of Pharmacy and PhD graduates.  

Graduates will go directly from your seats to the stage. The ushers will direct one row of graduates at a time to process around the far right side of the arena and then approach the right side of the stage. 

You will be directed to go up the stairs and hand your card to the reader, who will be standing next to the podium. As soon as you hand over your card, immediately begin walking toward the center of the stage to the President. The reader will hand your card to the designated reader, who will read your name and any honors.

You will then proceed across the stage, down the stairs, and you will be directed back to your seat. 

School of Pharmacy and PhD graduates will be hooded on stage by faculty.

Students with Latin Honors will have them announced as their names are read during the ceremony. The Latin Honor written on your name card is based on the GPA you received as of the end of the Fall 2023 semester.

GradImages will take pictures of graduates as they approach the stage, receive their diplomas from the President, and immediately after they leave the stage.

No one will be permitted near the stage to take photos during the ceremony. Guests may take photographs from their seats. There will be two large screens on each side of the stage that will allow guests to capture larger images of you crossing the stage. 

Photo order information was provided in the first email with commencement information. Details can also be found on their website.

Students will follow the faculty out of the venue. The Student Marshal will direct you by row to stand, leave your row and leave the arena in a double line. Undergraduate and graduate students will form two lines and march out side-by-side.

May graduates who have completed all academic requirements and have no outstanding financial obligations to the University will have their diploma mailed during the months of June and July. If you need to update your mailing address, please email the Registrar’s Office at registrar@ndm.edu.

Attendees are strongly encouraged to use public transportation. If you must drive, please have a driver drop graduates off at the front of the venue. Drivers are also encouraged to use SpotHero to locate, reserve, and pay for available parking spots (in advance).

Note, parking can be very expensive close to the Baltimore Convention Center, and there is an Orioles game scheduled for this day as well. Please refer to Parking & Accommodations for more details.