Graduation Ceremony

When and where will my graduation be held?

The Boston* campus Bachelor’s Completion & Master’s Graduation Ceremonies will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2024** (by degree):

Master of Science degree graduates

10:00 a.m. ET, Matthews Arena, Boston, MA

Bachelor’s Completion, Master of Professional Studies, Master of Art, Master of Education, Master of Art in Teaching, and Master of Sports Leadership degree graduates

3:00 p.m. ET, Matthews Arena, Boston, MA

*If you are a graduate from one of our global system campuses, you are invited to attend that campus’s local ceremony. Each Global System campus will be hosting a ceremony for its graduates. Please click here to view dates and locations. A separate registration will be emailed from your specific global campus.

**Note: There are two ceremonies held on Wed May 8th. Graduates will be invited and eligible to attend only the ceremony time for the degree they are graduating with as it will only be conferred at that ceremony time.

Who is eligible to attend the 2024 CPS Graduation Ceremony on May 9, 2024?

If your degree is conferred in the 2023–2024 academic year, you are eligible to attend the graduation ceremony:

*Doctoral candidates’ ceremony will be held on Thursday May 9, 2024, at Matthews Arena.

Additional FAQS for the Doctoral candidates’ ceremony can be found HERE.

If you have any questions regarding your eligibility to attend the Spring 2024 ceremony, please reach out to your Academic Advisor or Learner Services. They can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 1-833-NU-LEARN (1-833-685-3276).

What if I am expected to complete my degree in Spring 2024 or Summer 2024—is there another ceremony?

If you graduate within the 2024 school year (Fall 2023 to Summer 2024) then you are eligible to attend the Spring ceremony held in May 2024. However, there are no commencement ceremonies held directly following the Spring or Summer terms.

Please confirm with your Academic Advisor as soon as possible to guarantee that you are on track to meet your graduation requirements and participate in the ceremony.

For those completing their requirements in the Spring or Summer of 2024, it is essential that you submit your graduation application before March 15th, 2024.

I am graduating from a Northeastern global campus. Can I attend the in-person Commencement in Boston?

We highly encourage you to attend the commencement ceremony at your primary campus.

Each campus of the Global System will be hosting its own ceremony for its graduates. To view the dates and locations, please click here.

You will receive a separate registration email from your designated global campus.

Where do I get my regalia/cap and gown?

REMINDER: Cap and gown WILL NOT be available for pick-up at the ceremony.

Expected graduates should make arrangements to pick-up their regalia at Solomon Court, Cabot Center.

Cap and Gown Pick-up Days and Times

Friday, April 26: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 27: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 28: Closed
Monday, April 29: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 30: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 1: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, May 2: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday, May 3: 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 4: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Additional cap and gowns for College of Professional Studies students can be picked up in Solomon Court, Cabot Center on:

Tuesday, May 7: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Can I receive regalia if I am not attending the ceremony?

A cap and gown will only be provided to students attending the commencement ceremony or college celebration.

Guest information: Where should guests park and sit?

The 2024 CPS Graduation Ceremonies will take place on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at Matthews Arena.

Admission to the ceremonies is by ticket only; general seating applies. Ceremonies begin at:

Master of Science degree graduates

10:00 a.m. ET, Matthews Arena, Boston, MA

Bachelor’s Completion, Master of Professional Studies, Master of Art, Master of Education, Master of Art in Teaching, and Master of Sports Leadership degree graduates

3:00 p.m. ET, Matthews Arena, Boston, MA

Parking and Transportation

Complimentary parking for the ceremony is available in the Columbus Parking Garage (795 Columbus Avenue, Boston). The garage is a considerable walk from Matthews Arena. If your guest has a mobility issue, it is advisable that you provide a wheelchair and/or drop off your guest at the Arena with an escort prior to parking.

Guest Entry and Seating

Guests will be admitted by ticket only; general seating applies. Guests enter at the main entrance of Matthews Arena.

Individuals with mobility issues may use the elevator located inside the main entrance. Northeastern University and/or Arena staff will be available to assist you. Specific seating locations have been designated within Matthews Arena for wheelchair access only. Guests who use wheelchairs are to be accompanied by no more than one escort and will be directed to these areas by facility personnel. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Graduates will sit according to their degree. It is a good idea to plan ahead, and meet with guests after the ceremony away from Matthews Arena to avoid crowding. This will help with traffic and make the day run smoother.

Facility Protocol

For safety reasons, the following items are not permitted inside Matthews Arena for the ceremony:

• Backpacks or bags larger than 12″x 12″x 12.” Women’s handbags of acceptable size may be allowed entry after search.
• Luggage
• Baby strollers
• Outside food/beverages
• Balloons
• Wrapped gifts
• Laptops
• Drones
• Laser pointers or similar items
• Firearms or other weapons
• Artificial noisemakers
• Alcohol

All guests and their belongings will be subject to search, at the discretion of Northeastern University. Patrons with prohibited articles will be turned away at the entrances. There is no storage or check-in area for such items. Enforcement will be without exception.

Out of consideration for others, we ask that mobile devices be silenced during the ceremony and that all guests remain seated until the end of the ceremony and after all the graduates have left Matthews Arena.

How long is the graduation ceremony?

The graduation ceremony is expected to last 2 hours.

Out of consideration for others, we ask that you and your guests plan to stay for the entirety of the program.

The graduate procession into the arena will begin 30 minutes prior to the ceremony start time. Please plan accordingly to see your graduate process into Matthews Arena.

Will I be able to purchase graduation photos?

Yes, you will be given opportunities to “capture the graduation moment” in your official NU (Northeastern University) academic regalia. A professional photographer, GradImages, will be available at the ceremony. Proofs, with information on ordering photos, will be mailed by the photographer to all degree candidates immediately following the ceremony. You may also contact GradImages directly with your questions.   

What do I do if I need an invitation letter from the university so that my family outside the U.S. (United States) may join me at my graduation ceremony?

We recommend reaching out to the local U.S. consulate within the country that your family members are in to apply for a visitor visa. Click here to view visa appointment wait times.

The university does not provide letters to graduates as a means for their guests to apply for a visa from their country to attend a graduation ceremony. The Office of Global Services recommends using copies of the following documents instead:

• Graduation Application
• Email(s) directed to the graduate with ceremony information
• Enrollment Verification Letter
• Letter of Invitation Information (Sample)

I am graduating with honors. How will this be recognized?

Honors designations are recognized for undergraduate degrees only.

The designation also appears on eligible students’ diplomas and the digital graduation program based on information available as of April 1. Honors cords will also be provided for eligible students to wear during the ceremony and can be picked up at cap and gown pick up days.

I have completed an exit interview for financial aid but now my date of graduation has changed. Will it still be valid?

No. If you completed an Exit Interview in a prior term, but did not graduate, you will need to complete a new exit interview.

Are there other important obligations I should be aware of before graduation?

Yes, please note the following:

Financial Obligations 
You must fulfill all financial obligations to the University prior to the release of your diploma. Your current balance, including any balance also owed on a payment plan must be paid in full. If this obligation is not fulfilled until after Graduation, you must contact the Office of the Registrar for the release of your diploma.

If you have received a Federal Stafford Loan (subsidized or unsubsidized) or Direct Subsidized or Unsubsidized Loans, complete the exit interviews HERE:

For more information, contact Student Financial Services at 617.373.5899.

Will there be a transcription of the audio portion of the ceremony?

There will be closed captioning available on the screen for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

Is the ceremony handicap accessible?

Yes. There is handicap seating throughout the arena. Availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.

I am a student with a documented disability and will need accommodations at the ceremony. What do I do to make these arrangements?

We understand that attending the ceremony can be a special and exciting moment, and we want to ensure that all our graduates have a positive experience. If you need assistance or have questions, do not hesitate to contact Learner Services.

They can be reached at [email protected] or by phone at 1-833-NU-LEARN (1-833-685-3276).

If you require any accommodation during the ceremony, we would like to make the process as seamless as possible for you. When registering for the ceremony through Marching Order, please kindly indicate on the registration form that you require accommodation so that it can be arranged ahead of time for you. We want to ensure that your ceremony experience is enjoyable and stress-free.

What’s my tassel color?

College of Professional Studies

• Master of Science: gold-yellow
• Master of Professional Studies: gold-yellow
• Master of Education: light blue
• Master of Sports Leadership: gold-yellow

How many guest tickets will I receive this year?

All CPS graduates are invited to bring three (3) guests to the graduation ceremony in Boston. The allotted guest count is based on the expected number of graduates and venue capacity.

• Tickets are required for anyone over the age of two. Children two years and under don’t need a ticket if they sit on an adult’s lap. Please note, strollers are prohibited.
• There is no waitlist for additional tickets.
• You have until Friday, April 12, 2024, to claim your tickets (up to three) in your MarchingOrder account. Tickets that are not claimed by this date will be returned to inventory.
• Following the April 12 deadline, we will assess if we can offer additional tickets. Please note: There are no guarantees that additional tickets will be available, but if we can offer more tickets, we’ll post how to get them on the CPS graduation site.
• Tickets are required for the ceremony; general seating applies.

As a reminder, the graduation ceremony will be live streamed on the CPS graduation website for your loved ones who cannot attend in person.

Will I receive a transcript with my diploma?

You will not receive a transcript with your diploma. Official transcripts can be requested two weeks after the degree conferral by following directions listed HERE.

Can my tickets be mailed to me?

Tickets will be available electronically only through your graduate Marching Order account.

Where can I stay while visiting the Boston area?

Northeastern is located within walking distance or a short drive from more than a dozen hotels in the greater Boston area. We suggest starting your search in the Back Bay area of Boston.