Commencement Ceremony

Event Description

The 2026 university-wide Commencement ceremony will celebrate the graduating classes of September 2025, December 2025, and May 2026. Graduates from all 10 Duke schools are invited to attend and are required to request tickets for their guests.

Commencement Registration and Guest Tickets

Graduates are required to register to participate in the University-wide Commencement Ceremony using the registration and apparel order form. The deadline for graduates to register and order academic apparel is February 13, 2026. 

Graduates will be able to register for digital, general admission tickets for their guests. Guest ticket registration will open in early April and each graduate can request up to 20 guest tickets. Graduates are encouraged to request only the number of tickets they truly need to help assist with venue and emergency management planning.

To enter the stadium and participate in the ceremony on Commencement Day, graduates must present student ID and wear academic apparel.

Commencement typically concludes by 11:00 AM.

Ceremonies Hosted by Schools and Departments

While degrees are officially conferred at the university-wide Commencement ceremony, diplomas are distributed by individual schools and departments, either by mail or at separate events held throughout Commencement Weekend. Students will receive detailed information directly from their school about their specific ceremony.

A full list of available information regarding departmental ceremonies and other events may be found here.