Yes! All students must apply to graduate! For subject-specific FAQs, please view our Graduation Application FAQs. Please contact the SPH Registrar’s office at (sphregr@bu.edu) with questions about your application status.

Even if you are unsure about whether or not you will be in Boston, or will come back to Boston for Convocation, please still RSVP. Everyone planning to attend the ceremony must fill out an SPH Convocation RSVP form.

Track and Tennis Center, 100 Ashford Street

Saturday, May 16, 2026 9:30am The ceremony will be followed immediately by a tented reception in the adjacent lot from 12:00pm-1:00pm

• Students should arrive by 8:00am to the tent for line up!
• Tickets are not required to attend convocation ceremonies.

Star Market across the lot located at 1065 Commonwealth Ave. Open 24 hours.

The convocation ceremony is approximately 2 hours long, followed immediately by a 2-hour tented reception in the adjacent lot. There will be plenty of guidance offered on how you and your family will get to the reception area. We hope you and your loved ones will join us to celebrate your success and allow us all the opportunity to meet the people in your life that made this all possible! There will be department signs placed throughout the reception area to make it easier to find faculty and staff in your department.

All-University Commencement

The All-University Commencement ceremony is the official graduation event for the University open to all graduating students regardless of what school they are graduating from.

During the University’s commencement ceremony, All BU graduating students are recognized together by degree program, but do not individually cross the stage. The All-University Commencement runs approximately two hours, from 1 to 3 pm and is held in an open air stadium, rain or shine. Learn more about the All-University ceremony here.

SPH Convocation is the celebration of graduating students and their achievements.

SPH Convocation is the school specific ceremony held in honor of the completion and/or in anticipation of students fulfilling all academic requirements towards their degree.  The ceremony includes a convocation speaker, student speaker, and presentation of distinguished awards. Additionally, Dean Galea confers degrees upon all Masters, and Doctoral candidates individually and students walk across the stage to receive a diploma.

Doctoral candidates will be hooded, have their names called and cross the stage individually to receive congratulations by their faculty hooder of choice.

SPH Convocation runs approximately two hours from 9:30 to 12:00 pm. All graduates should arrive at the Track and Tennis Center, 100 Ashford Street beginning at 8:00am to check in at the tent in the adjacent lot. Students arriving after 8:30am may not be accommodated in the ceremony.  You will be directed to line up in the order of which your name will be called when you go on stage. You should carry—not wear—your cap and gown to check in. There will be volunteers on site to help with regalia and to guide you through the ceremony.

Learn more about

Learn more about diploma order and mailing Schedule here.

ORDERING REGALIA

The Boston University Campus Store is the approved supplier for caps and gowns to graduates.
ORDER YOUR REGALIA TODAY: BU REGALIA

Orders must be placed online. Ordering options include home delivery and campus pickup options. It is highly recommended that all orders are placed as soon as possible to avoid processing and transit delays.

If you need your regalia to take photos before May, we highly recommend placing your order for home delivery. Orders placed for pickup will not be available until May 5th.

DEADLINES

March 24:
• Order your cap & gown by March 24 for on campus pickup. (Campus pickup orders will be available beginning May 5 at the BU Campus Store)
April 1:
• Doctoral Candidates: Cap & gown orders must be placed by April 1. (Doctoral regalia will not be available to order after April 1)
April 15:
• Master Candidates: Order your cap & gown by April 15 to receive for Commencement Weekend. (Caps & gowns will not be available to order after April 15)

PRICING

MASTER’S = $115 Includes: Red Gown, Master Hood, Black Cap, Tassel

DOCTORAL (RENTAL)* = $105 Includes: Gown with Velvet Panels and Sleeve Chevrons, Doctoral Hood, Black Velvet Tam, Tassel

* Campus pickup rental regalia needs to be returned to the BU Campus Store by May 27, after which they must be returned by mail to Herff Jones.
* Home shipped rental regalia comes with a return label and campus pickup rental regalia needs to be returned to the BU Campus Store by June 1.

CUSTOM REGALIA

Custom-made regalia are available for purchase. Custom orders may be placed at any time, but to ensure arrival by Commencement, orders must be made by Friday, March 28th. CUSTOM BU REGALIA

MORE QUESTIONS? Email the BU Campus Store at REGALIA@BU.EDU

Yes! BUSPH has a limited supply of Master’s academic regalia for students to borrow who find it a financial burden and would be unable to attend convocation otherwise.  Loaner regalia will be available on a first come first serve basis, on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 in Talbot T-211East starting at 1pm. 

• You must RSVP for convocation to be eligible to borrow regalia.
• Loaner regalia CANNOT be reserved in advance.
• A friend/classmate can pick-up regalia for you – they will simply sign on your behalf.

Loaner regalia can be returned immediately following the ceremony in the reception tent or to Graduate Student life, Talbot Reception Desk by Monday, June 2. 

Tickets are not required for the SPH Convocation Ceremony on Saturday, May 17. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, and there will be plenty of seating. Invite as many guests as you’d like since there is plenty of seating, guests should not feel that they have to arrive early. There will be signs to direct guests to the proper areas. The Convocation Ceremony will be live-streamed for guests who cannot attend.

University leadership is currently determining whether tickets will be required for the All University Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 18. Graduates will be notified by email once a decision has been made.

Yes! We make sure as many Commencement Weekend activities as possible are accessible to all who wish to attend. Beginning Monday, April 1, requests for accessible parking, seating, and individual services may be requested via our Disability & Access Services Accommodations Request Form. The deadline to submit the form is Friday, May 1. While every effort will be made to provide accommodations requested after May 1st, they cannot be guaranteed; please submit the form in a timely manner. If you need additional assistance, contact Disability & Access Services at 617-353-3658.

For more information, please review disability & access services details here.

Commencement Weekend is busy in Boston. Plan your transportation early and arrive on time!

Parking: Free parking will be available at all primary University parking lots on Commencement weekend. The closest parking facility to the Track and Tennis Center is the Langsam Garage, 278 Babcock Street. Please refer to the BU Parking and Transportation Services Website for a full list of parking and public transportation options. This lot fills quickly so be sure to take advantage of all parking facilities on campus.

BU Shuttle Service: the BU Shuttle Service will be running that day, so you can park at the medical campus and shuttle over to the Charles River Campus. Please note that the shuttle will be running on its Saturday schedule, only departing every half hour, so please plan accordingly. Furthermore, the last shuttle from Agganis (Student Village II) to the medical campus will depart at 4:30 pm.

Sunday, May 17, 2026
Nickerson Field, 1 pm
Rain or shine
Duration: Approximately two hours

Guest Information

Tickets will be required and there will be a guest limit per graduate. Specific information will be posted as details are finalized.

Ceremony

The ceremony will feature speeches from President Melissa Gilliam, the Commencement Speaker, and the Student Speaker. It will also include presentations to the Honorary Degree Recipients and Metcalf Award winners, and the conferring of degrees. Graduates of the Class of 2026 will be seated with their respective school/college and recognized collectively. Eligible graduates are encouraged to attend the All-University Commencement, their respective school/college convocations, and all other weekend events.

(Note: The school/college convocation is where students will have their names called and the iconic handshake photo is taken.)

Access Accommodations

This ceremony will include ASL interpretation and closed captioning. A livestream with CART transcription will be available on our website.

If you can’t make an appearance at Nickerson, you can still catch the ceremony via webcast on our homepage starting at 1 pm on May 17.

More information on the all-university commencement ceremony can be found here.

Questions

Contact Us

With family or friends!

• A picture ID is not required to check-in to the convocation.
• Please do NOT wear your regalia to the arena for security purposes– Graduates and faculty should carry their robes into event venues and then dress in designated lineup areas.
• Do not bring valuables or personal items into the student robing area– you should leave any personal items with your guests!
• Only small and average-size handbags, purses, and camera bags will be allowed(no large totes, over-sized purses, backpacks, large diaper bags, or messenger bags). All bags will be physically inspected prior to entry. No other bags, gift bags, wrapped gifts, packages, briefcases, backpacks, or luggage will be allowed in a Commencement or Convocation venue.

Please review further security details here.

• Live-streaming will be available for those that are unable to attend the ceremony in person.
• A graduation photo area will be available during the reception with some exciting photo props to take pictures and mark this special moment of your success.
• For more details visit the Commencement Memorabilia webpage.