Commencement FAQs

Please review some frequently asked questions about Commencement. If you have questions, please contact commencement.info@umassd.edu.

Please follow the steps below to review your expected graduation term and, if applicable, submit your graduation application in COIN for the 2026-2027 academic year.

Review Your Expected Graduation Term in COIN

To ensure your expected graduation term is accurate in COIN, please review your expected graduation term.

Log into your COIN Student Center.
Select the My eForms dropdown menu.
Choose Change Expected Graduation.
Review your current expected graduation term.
If your Current Expected Graduation Term is incorrect, enter the correct term and year of your anticipated program completion under New Expected Graduation, then click submit.

Apply for Graduation in COIN

If your expected graduation term is correct in COIN and is Fall 2026, Winter 2027, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027 and you are on track to finish your requirements, you must follow the steps outlined below to officially submit your graduation application. Please note: The Summer 2027 graduation application will open on February 8, 2027.

Log into your COIN Student Center.
Navigate to My Academics > Graduation > Apply for Graduation.
Select Apply for Graduation and complete the UMDAR Graduation Survey.
Upon completion, select Apply for Graduation
Select Continue, then click Submit Application.
Return to My Academics > Graduation > View My Graduation Status to confirm your submission details.

Preparing for Commencement

The Commencement Ceremonies for the Class of 2027 are as follows:

Undergraduate & Graduate Student Ceremony I

Cressy Field at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 20, 2027

For students from the:

School for Marine Science & Technology
College of Engineering
Charlton College of Business

Doctoral Ceremony

Main Auditorium at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 20, 2027

All doctoral students from all schools and colleges (excluding Law students).

Undergraduate & Graduate Student Ceremony II

Cressy Field at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 21, 2027

For students from the:

College of Visual & Performing Arts
College of Nursing & Health Sciences
College of Arts & Sciences

School of Law Ceremony

Main Auditorium at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 21, 2027

All Law students.

Please review Schedule of Ceremonies website the for more information.

Yes. Please review the information on our Accessibility & Accommodation Information website.

If you’re a double major in the same ceremony, you can only walk for one College. If you’re a double major in two ceremonies, you can attend both and walk in both.

There is no limit to the number of guests for the Undergraduate/Graduate and Doctoral ceremonies. There are tickets required for the School of Law ceremony. Law student can learn more on the Law Commencement website.

Guests for the Undergraduate/Graduate and Doctoral ceremonies do not need tickets. There are tickets required for the School of Law ceremony. Law student can learn more on the Law Commencement website.

Commencement Ceremonies are rain or shine. Umbrellas are allowed and ponchos will be made available to guests. Please note that the ceremony cannot be moved indoors due to size constraints.

Please show up 1 hour before the start of your ceremony for a fun check-in and line-up experience.

For Undergrad and Graduate students from SMAST, Engineering, or CCB - please arrive at the Tennis Courts no later than 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 20.
For all Doctoral students - please arrive at the Frederick Douglas Unity House, Ground Floor of the Marketplace (across from the Campus Center) no later than 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 20.
For Undergrad and Graduate students from CVPA, Nursing, or Arts & Sciences- please arrive at the Tennis Courts no later than 9 a.m. on Friday, May 21.
For Law students - please arrive at the Frederick Douglas Unity House, Ground Floor of the Marketplace (across from the Campus Center) no later than 2:30 p.m. on Friday, May 21.

Each ceremony will take roughly two hours.

Only items placed in clear plastic bags will be permitted into the graduation ceremonies for security purposes. Additional bags will be available in parking lots and checkpoints during the ceremonies. No large purses, food, beverages, or wrapped packages are allowed.

Prohibited items include:

Backpacks
Balloons/beach balls
Beverages
Coolers
Drones
Signs
Fireworks
Food
Laser pointers or similar items
Reusable water bottles
Wrapped presents
Pets

All items not in a clear plastic bag are subject to inspection.

Everyone entering campus will be directed where to park by staff members. Shuttles will be running from all lots to the Commencement venue.

Yes, all ceremonies will stream via our Commencement website.

You will attend the May 2027 Ceremonies if your expected graduation term is:

2026 Fall
2027 Winter
2027 Spring
2027 Summer

More information on cap and gowns will be sent to students in fall 2026.

Yes. At Commencement, your cumulative GPA determines your honor, and which honors cord you receive (Spring 2027 grades are not included). This information is sent to the vendor before caps and gowns are shipped, so the University does not make any exceptions or accommodations regarding the cord a student receives. However, when your degree is awarded, your transcript and diploma will include all UMass Dartmouth coursework, including the final semester. Honor cords are only for undergraduate students.

Honor cords signify: