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SPP Commencement

President Pines and Testudo celebrating graduates

Commencement 2024

University of Maryland Commencement Ceremony

The university will host its 2024 main commencement ceremony on May 20, 2024 at SECU Stadium. The student processional will begin at 6 p.m. The ceremony will feature remarks from President Darryll J. Pines and distinguished guests.

Leading up to and during commencement, graduates are encouraged to share their memories on social media using #UMDgrad. See Terps’ photos and reflections on X and Instagram.

University Commencement Info

School of Public Policy Commencement Ceremony

The School of Public Policy Commencement Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 3:30pm in Dekelboum Concert Hall at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. The ceremony will feature remarks from our dean and announce the names of each graduate. A reception will follow. This ceremony is open to graduates from summer 2023, winter 2023 and spring 2024.

Students are required to wear regalia in order to participate in the commencement ceremony. The deadline for ordering regalia online is April 17. In-person regalia orders are available from the University Book Center through May 20. The University Book Center is also hosting a Grad Fair on March 5 and 6 from 10:30am - 5:30pm with information about regalia, doctoral fittings and other commencement items. The deadline for our Gowns for Grads borrow program is April 5.

SPP Commencement will be ticketed. A livestream will be available for family and friends unable to attend in person.

Accessibility and disability accommodation services are available for commencement. Please indicate needs for yourself and your guests on the registration form. Email sppevents@umd.edu with questions.

Undergraduate and graduate students who are close to completing their degree requirements may be permitted by their college, at the request of the student, to participate in spring departmental, college, and/or campus commencement activities if they can demonstrate that they intend to complete all degree requirements before the first day of classes in the next fall semester. Colleges may define criteria for summer graduates to be considered for participation in May commencement ceremonies, such as the number or type of credits or courses left to complete the degree. Students should consult school or college commencement websites for details. 

Participation in commencement activities (including the main commencement ceremony) does not imply degree completion or graduation, nor official degree completion in that particular spring semester. All degree requirements must be completed before a degree and diploma can be awarded. 

Undergraduate students who are pursuing a double degree, and who intend to complete all graduation requirements for one of the degrees before the first day of fall classes, may participate in the ceremonies for that degree. Students who are pursuing a double major must complete all degree requirements for both majors before the first day of fall classes to be able to participate in these ceremonies.

Procedurally, students who plan to complete their degree requirements in summer and wish to participate in spring commencement ceremonies must contact their academic college (in the case of undergraduate students) or academic department (in the case of graduate students). If the request is approved, the college or department will notify the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) as soon as possible by sending the student’s name, UID, and email address to Diploma Services. OUR will then communicate with the student and the ticketing office accordingly. Once this process is completed, the student will be eligible to receive tickets for the main ceremony and may participate in the department or college ceremonies. 

In the interest of having the printed main commencement program be as accurate as possible, students’ names will be included in this printed program only if they are expected to graduate in the spring. Depending on the timing of when OUR receives notification, however, late additions and deletions may not be accurately recorded in the printed program. Colleges and departments have the discretion to include the names of summer graduates who participate in the spring ceremonies in their printed programs if they wish.

Questions?

For School of Public Policy questions, contact sppevents@umd.edu.