Commencement

The CPS/GSPM Commencement Celebration will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. in the Charles E. Smith Center. During the CPS Celebration, the name of each graduate is called as the student crosses the stage.

The University Commencement Ceremony will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. on the National Mall, rain or shine (on-campus emergency plan will be announced). This large ceremony consists of a processional, awards and prizes to faculty, conferral of honorary degrees, speakers (student speaker and major public figures), and the official conferral of degrees by the University President. Students' names are not called at this ceremony and students do not walk across the stage.  Additional information regarding the University Commencement Ceremony can be found by visiting the GW Commencement website. If an unexpected or emergency situation develops, you may have to follow GW’s Alternate Site Plan.

CPS School Celebration - Saturday, May 16, 2020

5:45 p.m. - Reception at Duques Hall (students only)

6:45 p.m. - Graduates Line up for Procession wearing regalia (commencement attire is business to business casual)

7:30 p.m. - CPS School Celebration

University Commencement - Sunday, May 17, 2020

Please review the University Commencement Schedule for important times for students attending the Sunday ceremony.

Faculty participating in the CPS celebration will convene at an appointed location prior to the CPS Commencement ceremony, to prepare for the processional.

Please check back closer to the 2020 Commencement celebration for details.

Event staff will be present to assist. If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Feuer at [email protected] or 202-994-8310.

The Grad Fair is held annually in the spring. Grad Fair 2020 is scheduled for March 31-April 2 at the GW Campus Store. Stay tuned for more details. 

For additional information please contact GW Events & Venues at 202-994-7129 or by email [email protected].

GW regalia (cap and gown) is required for all students participating in the CPS School Celebration and University Commencement. Regalia will not be available at the Charles E. Smith Center or on the National Mall.

• Regalia can be purchased online or purchased in-person at various times throughout the Spring semester.
• Regalia rentals are not available for bachelor's or master's candidates.
• Please access the University’s regalia website for more information about protocol.

In-person Regalia Purchase Options:

• Grad Fair 2020: March 31-April 2 at the GW Campus Store. Stay tuned for more details. 

Typical commencement attire is business to business casual. A word of caution: students will be crossing a roughly-paved street and ascending/descending a number of staircases. And for the Sunday commencement on the National Mall, you will be walking on grass and possibly in muddy areas, depending on the weather. We strongly encourage you to avoid high heels and wear shoes easy to walk in under these circumstances.

CPS/GSPM Celebration:

• Tickets to the CPS/GSPM Celebration will be distributed via mail beginning in mid-April to the current address on file with GW (please ensure that your address is updated with the University’s Registrar’s Office).
• Tickets will be mailed only to students who have completed the University’s Mandatory Graduation Survey. Students will receive eight (8) guest tickets to the CPS/GSPM Celebration.
• Students who are interested in extra tickets to the CPS Commencement should check with their classmates, as some of them may not need all eight tickets.

University Commencement (on the National Mall): 

• Tickets are not required to attend Commencement on the National Mall.

• If you plan to attend the ceremony on the Mall, please register your guests online, which will be available soon. You may register up to six guests.

Military and veteran students are encouraged to contact the Office of Military and Veteran Student Services to inquire of any special recognition for veteran students.

Graduates and guests attending the CPS/GSPM Celebration and University Commencement should access the Commencement Accessibility website

Graduates and guests attending the CPS/GSPM Celebration should review the Charles E. Smith Center parking and transportation website.  

Transportation and parking information for the University Commencement is provided on the University Commencement website.

Commencement participants and guests seeking accommodations for Commencement weekend should consult the University’s listing of nearby hotels. 

Graduate photos taken at the CPS School celebration will be taken by GradImages. Additional information concerning GradImages will be provided at a later date.

Your official diploma will be mailed to you after your degree conferral date.

If your mailing address changes after you apply for graduation, please contact the Registrar’s Graduation Services Office.