University-wide 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.
There is no required dress code for guests.

SECURITY

IMPORTANT NOTE: 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 GUESTS will enter the Petersen Events Center through either CONCOURSE A or the Thomas E. Richards Family Lobby (LOBBY LEVEL). Both entrances are handicap accessible. These entrances are indicated by blue stars in the figure below. Guests who enter through the LOBBY LEVEL entrance will be directed to the Concourse Level.

ACCESSIBLE SEATING

All accessible seating is first-come, first-served. The Petersen Events Center offers seating for guests with disabilities behind sections L219, L220, and L222, L223, L224, L206, L210, L211, L218. These seats can be accessed by taking the elevators to the Concourse Level (see figure below)
Additional seating for individuals with disabilities is behind sections 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 124, 125, and 126. These seats can be accessed by taking the elevators to Club Rear.
To access captioning of the Commencement Ceremony via phone or tablet, please log on to www.mobileCap.net | ID# 7488

CROSSING THE STAGE AND NAME ANNOUNCEMENT

All candidates will have their name announced and cross the stage.
During the Winter Commencement, all doctoral candidates will be hooded on 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. 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 the 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 accept your transferred tickets.
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. 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.)