CEHD Guide for Grads
Spring 2024
The Guide for Grads provides graduating students in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) with important information about their ceremonies. Keep reading for answers to frequently asked questions and links to related resources, or click ahead to the specific section you need:
The Ceremonies
University Commencement
Thursday, May 9, 2024
10:00 am, EagleBank Arena
CEHD Degree Celebration
Saturday, May 11, 2024
10:00 am, EagleBank Arena
Which Ceremony Should I Attend?
Go to your CEHD Degree Celebration and University Commencement. They are different, and both celebrate you! Take a look:
University Commencement
- All Mason graduates are invited to attend
- Wear cap and gown
- Official Commencement Address from Guest Speaker
- Class of 2024 Student Speaker
- PhD graduates are hooded and photographed
- All other students stand and are recognized as a group
- Tickets are required for guests
CEHD Degree Celebration
- Only CEHD graduates are invited to attend
- Wear cap and gown
- All graduates individually recognized/photographed on stage
- Guest Speaker
- CEHD Student Speaker
- CEHD Outstanding Student Award Winners recognized
- PhD graduates are awarded medals on stage
- More personal celebration with faculty and classmates
- Tickets are required for guests
Which celebration am I eligible for?
| I finished my degree in: | Can I participate in University Commencement in May? | Can I participate in the CEHD Degree Celebration in May? |
| Fall 2023 | No | Yes |
| Spring 2024 | Yes (all degrees) | Yes |
| Summer 2024 | Yes (bachelor’s and master’s only) | Yes (bachelor’s and master’s only) |
Prepare for Graduation
- Review Degree Works with your academic advisor to be sure you’re on track to graduate.
- Apply to graduate via Patriot Web no later than February 20, 2024. Watch a tutorial on how to apply here.
- Determine which ceremonies you are eligible to attend based on your graduation term
- Check your Mason email regularly in case there are problems with your graduation application. It’s also where you’ll find Degree Celebration information and updates.
- Rent or purchase your graduation cap and gown from the bookstore. Online ordering is available until April 14, 2024. Doctoral candidates must order their regalia by March 10, 2024 (if purchasing) or March 31, 2024 (if renting) to avoid an additional $25 late fee.
Visit the Grad Fair
February 17 – 29, 2024
10 am – 6 pm | Dewberry Hall
For your convenience, the University Bookstore hosts the Grad Fair as a one-stop shop for graduation gear and information. Caps/gowns, announcements, rings, diploma frames, graduation photos, Commencement information and more will all be available.
Gowns for Grads
Don’t miss your graduation because you can’t afford the cost of a cap and gown! The Gowns for Grads program lends regalia to students in need. Caps/gowns are returned after the ceremonies. Inventory is limited, so apply early!
First Deadline: March 8, 2024
Second Deadline: April 5, 2024
Be the Star of the Show
- Submit a Graduating Student Spotlight Form or send your photos and messages of appreciation to ahornber@gmu.edu to be played during the pre-Degree Celebration slideshow. We especially love to include graduation pictures and memories from your class activities and campus events.
- Apply to be a 2024 Degree Celebration Student Speaker! Applications are being accepted until March 5 and one student will be chosen to speak. Don’t be shy – send us your speech!
- Applications are also being accepted until March 11, 2024 to be the Student Speaker for University Commencement. Apply here!
Day of Each Ceremony
- Get those wrinkles out of your cap and gown! Be sure to follow care instructions, as some gowns cannot be ironed.
- Know where you’re going and when to be there.
- Arrive by 8:30 am for both University Commencement and the CEHD Degree Celebration. Seriously, you have a lot to do when you get there!
- Bring your Mason ID with you.
- Know where your guests should be going and when (and then tell them).
- Leave your bags, purses, balloons, or flowers with your guests – you need your hands free for that diploma!
- Remember that you must adhere to EagleBank Arena’s policies (note the “clear bag” policy)!
- Degree Celebration Only: Check in at your assembly area to get a name card. Fill out BOTH SIDES of the name card. You will hand this to the reader before you cross the stage.
- Degree Celebration Only: Look for signs and line up with your program.
Where do I go?
University Commencement
Thursday, May 9 (arrive no later than 8:30 am)
- Bachelor’s & Master’s graduates must enter Lot A from the Nottaway River Lane entrance
- PhD graduates assemble at 8:15 am (details will be emailed)
CEHD Degree Celebration
Saturday, May 11 (arrive no later than 8:30 am)
- Bachelor’s & Master’s graduates must enter Lot A from the Nottaway River Lane entrance
- PhD graduates assemble in lobby outside of EagleBank Arena hospitality room
FAQ
Why do I have to apply to graduate?
Graduation is not an automatic process, even if you do not plan on attending any graduation ceremonies. In order to receive a diploma and have your transcript indicate that you are actually a Mason graduate, you must apply to graduate! Skipping this process could cause you to lose out on a job offer or delay your entrance into graduate school. Learn more about the graduation process on the Registrar’s website.
Will my name be in the program?
Yes, but only if you apply to graduate via Patriot Web by February 20, 2024! Names cannot be added after this date.
Note: Students with a Confidential Hold on their Mason record will not be included in graduation program booklets.
Can I still participate in graduation ceremonies if I missed the deadline to apply via Patriot Web?
Yes, but remember that your name will not appear in the Degree Celebration and Commencement Programs. Don’t forget to submit a paper Late Graduation Application by June 20, 2024 (spring graduates) or October 1, 2024 (summer graduates) in order to get your degree. Contact your advisor for assistance.
Where can I purchase Regalia?
Regalia is available only through the University Bookstore.
- Bachelor’s – $83.98 (cap, gown, tassel)
- Master’s – $136.98 (cap, gown, tassel, & hood)
- Doctoral – $178.98 rental (cap, gown, tassel, & hood)
CEHD Hood Colors:
- MEd. – Light blue
- MA (School Psychology) – White
- MS – Gold
- PhD – Royal Blue
When will I receive my diploma?
When you cross the stage at your Degree Celebration, you are given a “fake” diploma. Your actual diploma will be mailed to you 6-8 weeks after your official Degree Conferral Date.
For spring graduates with a Degree Conferral Date of May 10, 2024, diplomas will be mailed in late June. For summer graduates with a Degree Conferral Date of August 17, 2024, diplomas will be mailed in early October.
Will my ceremony be photographed/live streamed?
Yes! Each graduate will be photographed at their Degree Celebration, usually a total of three times, while crossing the stage. Just stay alert and smile. Be sure to fill out the back of your name card when you check in for the ceremony. It will help the photographer in emailing your proofs to you. University Commencement and the Degree Celebrations are offered online via live-stream. Check your Mason email and the University Commencement website for links closer to the ceremony dates.
Where can I find any last-minute updates?
Any last-minute changes, such as those due to inclement weather, will be broadcast as widely as possible to all graduates.
Check your Mason email, as well as the University and College of Education and Human Development graduation pages, for more information.
Who can I reach out to for further information?
Still have questions about Degree Celebration?
Reach out to CEHD Student Enrichment Coordinator, Caroline Masakayan!
Still have questions about University Commencement?
Check their frequently asked questions page! You can also reach out to gmuevent@gmu.edu or call (703) 993-2853!
Guest Information
- Tickets are now required for both University Commencement and CEHD Degree Celebration. The deadline to obtain tickets is March 31. If tickets are still available, a second opportunity to obtain tickets will be open in early April.
- All seating is general admission.
- Doors open at 9:00 am for University Commencement in EagleBank Arena.
- Doors open at 9:00 am for the CEHD Degree Celebration in EagleBank Arena. Please arrive early and be seated with plenty of time to spare. Students will begin processing into EagleBank Arena beginning at 9:50 am and the ceremony will start promptly at 10:00 am.
- All general parking areas will be open for graduate and guest parking. Please be patient, leave yourself enough time, and expect heavy traffic on and around campus.
- For accessible parking and drop-off, please use the Roanoke River Road or Nottoway River Lane entrances off Braddock Road to access Lot A. ADA parking is located in Lot A.
- Accessible seating is available in Rows E, F, and G of all sections at EagleBank Arena. Enter at the concourse level to access seating without climbing stairs. Wheelchair accessible seating is available in sections 4, 8, 13, and 17.
- Bags will be checked at all entrances. Remember that you must adhere to EagleBank Arena’s policies (note the “clear bag” policy)!
- Balloons and noisemakers are not permitted at any venue.
- All ceremonies are expected to last approximately 2 hours each. These are formal occasions; graduates and their guests are expected to remain for the entire ceremony out of respect for all graduates.
