Ceremony & Tickets

CEREMONY

The university-wide ceremony lasts between 2-2.5 hours. Each student will have their name announced and cross the stage. More details about the day can be found below.

ATTIRE

Regalia, or cap and gown, is required to attend. All students must arrive in their cap and gown to the ceremony. Do not plan on getting dressed at the Petersen Events Center. Those who serve in our armed forces are allowed to participate in their ceremonial uniforms in lieu of regalia.
Caps and gowns, along with honors cords, will be available for purchase at Graduation Central.

How to wear your regalia:

SECURITY

IMPORTANT NOTE: All graduates should refrain from bringing bags, backpacks, or purses with them to the ceremony as they might not return to the same seat after crossing the stage. Please review the CLEAR BAG policy set forth by the Petersen Events Center.

ENTERING THE PETERSEN EVENTS CENTER

Doors to the Petersen Events Center traditionally open 2.5 hours prior to the start of the ceremony.
ALL GRADUATES are to arrive through the Petersen Events Center Thomas E. Richards Family Lobby (LOBBY LEVEL) entrance only. This entrance is handicap accessible. DOORS ARE MARKED STUDENT ENTRANCE.
Graduates MUST arrive in full academic regalia and be in their seat by 1 hour prior to the start of the ceremony. Please allow adequate time to arrive, as there will be significant foot traffic and congestion around the Petersen Events Center.

SEATING

Any graduate not in their seat by the announced time may be held in the lobby until after the academic procession at the beginning of the ceremony, so please plan accordingly.
Graduates sit with their school. Ushers will be on hand to direct you to your designated seat within your school on the Petersen Events Center Floor.
If you want to sit with your friends within your school, please make plans to meet them outside the Petersen Events Center and enter the building as a group. Holding seats or waiting inside for friends to arrive is not allowed.

CROSSING THE STAGE AND NAME ANNOUNCEMENT

All candidates will have their names announced and cross the stage.
During the Winter Commencement, all doctoral candidates will be hooded on stage.
Print your Name Announcement Card in preparation for the ceremony. Every candidate must bring this card with them to the ceremony.
- Name Announcement Cards are sent the week of December 9 to all successfully registered candidates.
- Candidates will have a personalized QR code on their Name Announcement Card. The card is in PDF form and must be printed on 8.5 x 11 white paper.
- Candidates who do not bring their Name Announcement Card will not have their information displayed or announced at the ceremony.
- Candidates will hold onto their Name Announcement Card until they reach the stage during the ceremony, at which time they will be collected.

ACCESSIBILITY

To access captioning of the Commencement Convocation from a tablet or smartphone, please log on to www.mobileCap.net | ID# 7488

EXITING THE PETERSEN EVENTS CENTER

Please designate a meeting spot OUTSIDE of the Petersen Events Center to meet your party at the conclusion of the ceremony.

LIVESTREAM

The ceremony will broadcast a livestream on this website as well as on Pitt's Official YouTube Channel. The LIVESTREAM button will appear on the main page of the Commencement website the week of the ceremony. For graduates and their families who will be watching the ceremony online, open captioning will be automatically displayed during the broadcast.

TICKETING

Each registered candidate will receive four (4) electronic tickets for guests via Ticketmaster. Tickets are free of charge and will be sent to the registered candidate's PITT email account the week of the ceremony.
Graduates will have the opportunity to join a waitlist within their ceremony registration for two (2) additional tickets if they become available. There is no guarantee that additional tickets will be available, and requesting tickets does not guarantee the graduate will receive any additional tickets.
The University of Pittsburgh utilizes Ticketmaster for distribution of ceremony tickets. Entrance to the Petersen Events Center is a completely digital process and requires a smart device. If your guests are entering together, all tickets may be on one device. Review these instructions on how to claim your tickets and how to transfer tickets to your guests.
Please transfer your tickets as soon as possible. Technical assistance for any questions or transfer issues will not be available the week of the ceremony.
Infants (under 2 years of age) can enter the building without a ticket, but must sit in the same seat as an adult with a ticket. (Only 1 infant per 1 adult.)