Master's & Doctoral

Graduating students will receive individual recognition, including having their names announced, shaking hands with the dean, and having an individual photo taken. The celebration will include remarks from school leaders and other prestigious speakers. Diplomas will be mailed to the address listed in the graduate’s record following official degree approval.

Please note that at the GW Commencement on the National Mall ceremony, no individual names are announced and no graduates walk across the stage. The deans will call each of their schools to rise as the degrees are ceremoniously conferred.

All graduating students who plan to participate in school celebrations and Commencement on the National Mall must wear regalia; active service members may wear their dress uniform in lieu of regalia. You are not required to purchase from the university’s preferred vendor(*).

• Graduating students must have their Stage Pass downloaded to their phone when they arrive for the line-up at Funger Hall. They will not be able to enter the building without the Stage Pass.
• If you arrive after the processions to Smith Center starts, please go directly to Smith Center with your Stage Pass. Depending on the time, we will try our best to  fit you into the academic procession.

A university-designated vendor will be at each school celebration to capture photos as graduates walk across the stage. Students will be able to purchase the photos after Commencement Week. For the safety of all guests and graduates, these are the only photographers allowed near the stage. No private or personal photographers are allowed near the stage, nor will they be given access to any media risers; they are allowed in other areas of the venues that are open to the public and around campus.

A university-designated vendor will livestream and record all school celebrations. The live stream will be available on the GW Business Commencement page during the event, and a recording posted following.

Photo and Video Consent
Photos and/or videos of attendees will be taken and may be shared on university social media accounts, websites, and marketing materials. Review GW's Statement of Privacy Practices for more information. If you have concerns, please contact University Events at ueventsgwu [dot] edu (uevents[at]gwu[dot]edu) or 202-994-7470.

Guests and graduating students are prohibited from bringing the following items into the event space at all on-campus ceremonies, receptions, and events before, during, and after Commencement:

• Alcoholic Beverages
• Aerosols
• Ammunition
• Amplified sound devices
• Bags larger than 18” x 6” x 8” (permitted bags are subject to search)
• Balloons
• Explosives
• Firearms
• Fireworks
• Flags
• Glass Containers
• Laser Pointers
• Mace/pepper spray
• Outside food and beverages, including bottled water
• Structures, e.g.: folding tables, chairs, tents, etc.
• Signage, e.g.: posters, banners, flyers and any item that could obstruct the view of guests and graduates
• Supports for signs
• Unmanned aerial systems, e.g.: drones, remote control aircraft
• Weapons
• Any other item determined to be a potential hazard