Graduation & Convocation

Congratulations class of 2012 graduates!

The 45th annual George Mason University Spring Commencement is Saturday, May 19, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. in the Patriot Center.

The Graduate School of Education Convocation will be held Saturday, May 19, 2012, at 2:00 p.m. in the the Patriot Center.

  • *Master's Candidates please arrive at the Loading Dock (near parking lot A) at the Patriot Center by 1:00 p.m.
  • *PhD Candidates please arrive at the Hospitality Room (inside the Patriot Center) by 1:00 p.m.
  • Graduation Intent- Spring and Summer 2012 graduates, please visit the graduation website at http://registrar.gmu.edu for instructions on how to apply to graduate.
  • Spring GraduatesPlease apply to graduate ASAP. The last day to register online is February 24, 2012.
  • Summer Graduate Registration to apply to graduate opens January 30, 2012. Please file ASAP so your name will be included in the 2012 Commencement and Convocation program
  • *Certificates- Students graduating from both a Masters and a Certificate OR just a Certificate need to apply to graduate through Patriot Web for their Certificate.
  • *Late Graduation Forms- Should you miss the deadline to file your intent to graduate, please fill out the Late Graduation Application found at http://registrar.gmu.edu/graduation/lategradapp.htmland submit first to your advisor and then to Jennifer Coratolo, Graduation Coordinator.

**All students- please file your Graduation Intent by February 24 in order for your name to appear in the Commencement program.

***Any student (Fall, Spring, or Summer) that files after March 16, 2012  will NOT have their name recorded in the Convocation program!!

Degree candidates eligible to participate in Commencement/Convocation exercises are:

  • Fall 2011 (Masters & PhD)
  • Spring 2012 (Masters & PhD)
  • Summer 2012 (Masters)

* For any questions or concerns regarding graduation, please feel free to contact Jennifer Coratolo, Graduation Coordinator at jcoratol@gmu.edu

What's the difference between Commencement and Convocation?

Commencement- Saturday, May, 19, 2012 10:00 a.m.

  • The entire university community is involved and invited to this formal event
  • Ceremony begins with graduates processing through campus
  • Official university guest speaker delivers Commencement address
  • Selected student speaker representing the class of 2012 delivers address
  • Event is televised
  • Tickets are required for this event for every guest. Each graduate may obtain four guest tickets
  • PhD graduates are individually recognized and photographed on stage receiving their degrees
  • Caps and gowns are worn

GSE Convocation- Saturday, May 19, 2012 2:00 p.m.

  • Convocation is celebrated by individual schools and colleges
  • Individual school, college, and institute graduates only
  • All guests are welcome; tickets are not required
  • All graduates are individually recognized and photographed on stage
  • Caps and gowns are required

RHT Convocation - Friday, May 18, 2012 Noon Prince William Campus Hylton Performing Arts Center

  • Convocation is celebrated by individual schools and colleges
  • Individual school, college, and institute graduates only
  • All guests are welcome; tickets are required ( four free tickets per graduate)
  • All graduates are individually recognized

Graduates are encouraged to attend both the official university Commencement ceremony and their specific Convocation ceremony

Ticket information for Commencement Ceremony, May 19, 10 a.m.

All graduates except doctoral candidates may pick up four guest tickets at the Patriot Center box office starting April 26. Doctoral candidates will receive reserved ticket information by mail.

Each graduate is permitted a maximum of four guest tickets-each guest must have a ticket. Graduating students do not need a ticket. Please pick up only the number of tickets you require. All tickets are free. Special assistance and handicapped seating will be available for the ceremony; please ask any Patriot Center usher at the portal entrances when you arrive for Commencement.

Ticket Pickup

Tickets and detailed instructions may be picked up at the Patriot Center box office, with a Mason ID or valid driver's license on the following dates and times:

  • Tuesday, April 24, through Tuesday, May 15, 2012
  • Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The final day to pick up tickets is Wednesday, May 16, 10 A.M. to 5:30 P.M.
If you find that you do not need all the tickets you originally picked up, please return the extras to the box office at the times listed above so they can be distributed to other students.

Tickets that are not picked up by 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, will be distributed to other graduates starting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evening.

Commencement Fair

The University bookstore will sponsor a Commencement Fair Tuesday through Thursday, March 6-8, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Dewberry Hall in the Johnson Center, Fairfax Campus. Purchase caps, gowns, announcements, rings and other items, have photo taken in regalia, and pick up Commencement tickets all in one location.
For dates and times at Prince William and Arlington Campus please contact the bookstore.

Guest Parking

All parking lots on campus are available for guest parking. Handicapped and special-assistance parking is available in Lot A adjacent to the Patriot Center, South Entrance.

Diploma Information

Most diplomas will be mailed to the students' "diploma address," which is specified when the student applies to graduate, within five to seven weeks after degree conferral.

Commencement & Graduation Web Site

Caps and Gowns

Commencement and Convocation at Mason is a traditional ceremony where graduates and faculty wear caps and gowns. Master's candidates must also wear a master's hood. Please state your field of study when purchasing your hood because different colors denote different fields of study (for example, economics, copper).