Graduation Ceremony

When and where will my graduation be held?

Bachelor’s Completion & Master’s Graduation Ceremony
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 10 a.m.
Matthews Arena, Boston Campus

*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.

Who is eligible to attend the 2023 CPS Graduation Ceremony on May 10, 2023?

If your degree is conferred in the 2022–2023 academic year, you are eligible to attend the graduation ceremony:

Bachelor’s Completion degrees:

• Fall 2022; December 17, 2022
• Spring 2023; April 29, 2023
• Summer 2023; September 2, 2023

Master’s degrees:

• Fall 2022; December 17, 2022
• Winter 2023; April 1, 2023
• Spring 2023; July 1, 2023
• Summer 2023; September 2, 2023

*Doctoral candidates’ ceremony will be held on Thursday May 11, 2023 at Matthews Arena.

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

If you have any questions regarding your eligibility to attend the Spring 2023 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 2023 or Summer 2023—is there another ceremony?

There are no commencement ceremonies held directly following the Spring or Summer terms. If you graduate within the 2023 school year (Fall 2022 to Summer 2023) then you are eligible to attend the Spring ceremony held in May 2023.

It is advisable to 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 2023, it is essential that you submit your graduation application before March 17th, 2023.

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 host 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?

If you plan to attend the graduation ceremony, your academic regalia, including a cap and gown, will be provided at no cost to you as a keepsake of this special occasion.

Keep an eye out for an email in March 2023, which will have all the details on when and where you can pick up your regalia.

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 2023 CPS Graduation Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at Matthews Arena.

Admission to the ceremony is by ticket only; general seating applies. Ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. EST. (Subject to change)

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 turned off during the ceremony and that all guests remain seated until the end of the ceremony and after all the graduates have left Matthews Arena.

I have completed my graduation application. When should I hear from the College about my graduation status?

We will reach out to you through your designated Northeastern email. If you do not receive an email from us seven days prior to the conferral date, please consult with your Academic Advisor.

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.

Unfortunately, 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.

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

• Undergraduate Students: www.NSLDS.ed.gov
• Graduate Students: www.NSLDS.ed.gov

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?

Each graduate is invited to bring 3 guests to the CPS graduation ceremony in Boston. The allotted guest count is based on expected number of graduates and capacity of the venue. Unfortunately, there is not a waitlist for additional tickets.

The graduation ceremony will be live-streamed on our website for your loved ones who are not able to join the celebration in person.

Admission to the ceremony is by ticket only; general seating applies.

Children 2 years or younger who can sit on an adult’s lap for the duration of the ceremony do not need a ticket. Please note that strollers are prohibited. Children older than 2 years must have a ticket.

Information regarding how to claim your guest tickets will be provided to you late March 2023.

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.

Covid-19 Information

Will the ceremonies be COVID-19 safe?

Yes. As with every aspect of our campus reopening and throughout our academic year, our utmost priority is the health and safety of our community—including the family and friends participating in person.

2023 May UCMAsters FAQS Update1.26.23

Our events will comply with Massachusetts state guidelines.

Visitors must remain away from campus if they feel sick, have tested positive, or believe they may have been exposed to COVID-19.

Are there COVID-19 testing requirements for attending graduates? What about their guests?

Northeastern University Celebrations and Ceremonies:

If you are a guest attending an event or ceremony on Northeastern’s campus, a proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours (about 3 days) of the event will be required and masking is required inside spaces, including Matthews Arena. Be advised that guidelines are subject to change. Please read more about these guidelines HERE.