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Ceremony & Tickets

CEREMONY

The university-wide ceremony lasts between 2-2.5 hours. Each student will have their name announced and cross the stage. All guests, regardless of age, must have a ticket to enter the ceremony. 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. 

SECURITY

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 name announced and cross the stage.

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.
     
  • 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.
     
  • Electronic tickets are only accepted at the doors. If your entire party is entering together and at the same time, only one guest needs to have all claimed tickets downloaded on a smart device.
     
  • Please send your tickets to your guests at least 24 hours prior to the ceremony.  Instructions on how to send can be found on this site.  Reminder: ALL guests, including infants, must have a ticket to enter. 

INTERNATIONAL GUEST VISA