Congratulations, Doctoral Candidates!
We invite you to attend the Spring University Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 14, at 9:30 am in EagleBank Arena. All doctoral candidates will be individually recognized and hooded at the commencement ceremony.
Eligibility
All Spring 2026 doctoral candidates are eligible to participate in the Spring Commencement Ceremony.
Doctoral graduates from previous years who wish to participate in the 2026 Spring University Commencement must contact their college or school’s doctoral coordinator to be added to the 2026 Spring Doctoral List in order to be eligible.
Registration
All students registered to graduate will receive a University Commencement Information Email on March 2 from gmuevent@tassel.com with instructions on registering for your ceremony and claiming tickets.
Only doctoral candidates who register will be issued a Tassel Stage Pass. This is not a ticket. Your faculty advisor will present their George Mason ID to be admitted to the venue. Please provide the relevant information for your faculty advisor when RSVPing.
Guest Tickets
Doctoral candidates will be able to claim up to 12 guest tickets to ensure everyone has the opportunity to invite their guests. Please note that graduates do not need a ticket for themselves; they will receive a Tassel Stage Pass.
After your tickets have been claimed, you can print or email them to your family/friends. All tickets are general admission.
To request additional tickets, please email gmuevent@gmu.edu with the quantity needed. Tickets will be distributed based on availability.
Please note that tickets for the ceremonies are available through the George Mason email link for no charge/no service fee. This is the only authorized source for ceremony tickets. Please be aware that reports of individuals selling tickets and charging service fees have been reported in the past. This activity is suspect and caution is advised.
Day of Ceremony
In keeping with university tradition, doctoral candidates join their faculty advisor on Commencement morning for a continental breakfast and robing. Please join us at the East Concourse of EagleBank Arena no later than 8am. University Events staff will check you in and provide instructions on lining up. Doctoral candidates should enter EagleBank Arena via the loading dock and must present their Tassel Stage Pass at that time.
Hooding
Doctoral candidates will only be hooded at the university commencement ceremony. Candidates will be hooded by their advisor; if your advisor cannot attend, then the University Marshal will hood you. Please make sure you invite your advisor to participate in the ceremony. Please review “The Dos and Don’ts of Hooding” video before Commencement. Doctoral candidates will have their degrees conferred by the University President.
Regalia
Doctoral regalia will be available for purchase and rental both online and in person via the George Mason Bookstore at the Fairfax Campus and Mason Square.
- Purchase Price: $1,054.98 + tax
- Purchase Deadline: March 15, 2026
- Rental Price: $208.98 + tax
- Rental Order Deadline (online): April 1, 2026
(After April 1, rentals will only be available in-store until April 10, 2026, or while supplies last.) - Rental Return Deadline: May 16, 2026 (Return to the University Bookstore)