GENERAL INFORMATION

When should I start planning for the graduation ceremony?

It is never too early to plan for graduation. You can access academic related graduation information from the Registrar, your department/chair, and the Morgan State Commencement website: https://commencement.morgan.edu/.

I have met with my academic advisor, and have been cleared to register for graduation. Where do I register for graduation?

The graduation application can be found in Banner/Websis. Degree candidates must login to Banner/Websis and click on the Apply To Graduate tab and make sure to select the correct date of graduation.

Where do I purchase my Academic regalia (cap & gown)?

Doctoral students

To order, please visit herff.ly/morgan.

Please contact the vendor early, as a custom doctoral regalia order can take a while.

Bachelor and Masters Students

To order, please visit herff.ly/morgan.

If I have more questions about Commencement – whom do I contact?

Certification – Office of the Registrar
Academic Regalia – Morgan State University Bookstore
Graduation Portraits – The Office of Student Life and Development
Graduation Clearance – Your department/college/school

Where can I find more information about Commencement?

Information about the Commencement ceremony can be found on the Morgan State Commencement website: http://commencement.morgan.edu/.   Degree Candidates must also set up an appointment with their department/college/school to be cleared.

Where do I get my Latin Honors or Honors College stole for Commencement? 

Latin Honors – Please see the Office of the Registrar

Honors College – Please contact the Morgan Honors College

Information for International Students 

International students who are graduation candidates and need a University invitation for their international guests, please contact Dr. Yacob Astatke in the Morgan State Office of International Affairs.

GRADUATION CEREMONIES

How many Commencement Exercises are scheduled each year?

There are three ceremonies that occur each academic year. Please check the Morgan State University Academic Calendar for the exact dates:

• Fall Commencement Exercises(Graduate School & Undergraduate)
• Spring Commencement Exercises for the Graduate School
• Spring Commencement Exercises for Undergraduates

Why is there more than one annual Commencement ceremony at Morgan?

There is one official Commencement Exercise in December for both undergraduate and graduate Degree Candidates. The Spring Commencement Exercises include two official ceremonies, one ceremony is for School of Graduate Studies Degree Candidates and the second ceremony is for Undergraduate Degree Candidates.

What ceremony should I attend as a prospective undergraduate Degree Candidate?

It is the policy of Morgan State University that only candidates who have applied for graduation by the published deadline, who have completed all academic requirements for graduation, and who have satisfied all financial obligations to the University may participate in the Commencement Ceremonies.

If you will graduate in December, you will participate in the Fall Commencement Exercises held in December. If you will graduate in May and are an undergraduate, you will participate in the undergraduate ceremony held in May.

I can’t make any of the Commencement ceremonies this year.  Can I participate in another ceremony at another time?

University policy states that students must participate in the corresponding ceremony for which their degree is conferred. The University policy on Commencement participation can be found within the Institution’s Academic Catalog.

ACCESSIBILITY, PARKING, MASKS, AND LIVE STREAMING

I have a family member who needs a wheel chair.  What should I do?

The University does not provide wheelchairs, but does provide a wheelchair accessible seating area. Please check the morning of Commencement with a Morgan usher who can direct you to this area. The wheelchair area is limited and can only accommodate one guest accompanying the handicap person. Please plan to arrive early to make sure you can take your guest in the wheelchair to the appropriate area.

Will there be sign language interpreters for students and guests who are deaf or hard of hearing?

The University does provide deaf interpreters on the Commencement stage, as well as a reserved seating area that is close to the stage.  Please check the morning of Commencement with a Morgan usher who can direct you to this area.

I am attending Commencement and in need of reasonable accommodations.

Morgan State University Office of Diversity & Equal Opportunity  is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students, employees, and visitors with disabilities or pregnancies.

For information please contact:

Office of Diversity & Equal Opportunity

Where should I park for Commencement?

All University parking lots will be available for use on Commencement day. Please see the Morgan State Commencement web pages for more information.

Will the Commencement Ceremony be live streamed?

A live stream of each ceremony will be accessible via the University’s Commencement page to accommodate those family members and friends who exceed the number of Guest Admit Tickets available – when required for indoor ceremonies.

https://commencement.morgan.edu/live/

Are masks required for everyone during Commencement?  

Masking and social distancing guidelines and protocols will be determined by Baltimore City and Maryland State guidelines and laws at that time. Please check the University web pages for updated information.

GUEST ADMIT TICKETS & INCLEMENT WEATHER

When are Morgan Commencement ceremonies held indoors?

The Fall Commencement Exercise is always held indoors.  For Spring, in case of severe inclement weather, an announcement will be made if the ceremony will be held indoors, delayed or rescheduled. Please check the Morgan website for additional information.

Where do I find out about Commencement arrangements if there is severe inclement weather the day of graduation?

Information about severe inclement weather is located on the Morgan State University website: https://www.morgan.edu/.  If there is inclement weather the day of Commencement, WEAA, the Morgan State radio station, will have more information.

Do I need guest admit tickets for all my guests, including an infant when ceremonies are held indoors?

Yes. When a ceremony is held indoors, all guests, regardless of age, require a guest admit ticket to enter the venue.

Where and when do I receive guest admit tickets if Commencement is held indoors?

Whenever guest admit tickets are required, they are distributed the day before the scheduled Commencement exercise in your Graduation Packet (Certification Card & Guest Admit Tickets) by your school’s Graduation Coordinator. For undergraduates, this is done at the Commencement Corner Event in Hill Field House from 9 am to 12 noon.  This event is generally that day before Commencement.

If you are unable to pick up your packet the day before Commencement, please arrive early on Commencement Day to pick up your Certification Card and Guest Admit tickets from the table set up by the Office of Registrar in the Commencement area.

Graduate School Commencement Corner 

Date:           Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Time:           11 AM to 3 PM

Location:    Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management, 104 Auditorium

Graduate School Alternative Pick-Up Options
Please be advised that if you are not able to pick up your graduation packet during Graduate Commencement Corner, you have a few options below:

Option #1 Have someone pick up your packet with valid identification.  An email must be sent to kisha.phillips@morgan.edu identifying this person by Friday, May 10th, with no exceptions.  The name must match the ID. 

How many guest admit tickets do I receive?

Whenever we have an indoor Commencement ceremony, due to the number of students graduating and the capacity of our Morgan facilities, there is a limit to the number of guest admit tickets that graduating students can receive. Students are issued a certain number of tickets depending on the number of students who graduate that year.

Graduate School Applicants – 6 Guest Tickets

Undergraduate Applicants – 5 Guest Tickets if we move indoors

All tickets are distributed evenly to all graduation candidates. There are no extra tickets.  Tickets are never sold and are not for sale.

Please check the University Commencement web pages for updated information as we get closer to the Commencement date.

REHEARSAL VIDEO INFORMATION

In lieu of having a physical, in-person rehearsal, all degree candidates are encouraged to view our Commencement Information and Rehearsal videos before the Commencement exercises.   These videos will give important information on how to dress for Commencement, how to wear your regalia, where to line up, how to be robed during the exercise, and much more. These videos will be listed on this site in a few weeks.

In the past, Morgan has sponsored a Commencement Corner Day. This is an event for graduation degree candidates where they can pick up their Graduation Packets, have financial exit interviews, obtain other Commencement information, etc.  Please check the Commencement website for the exact date and time.

Graduate School degree candidates, please check with the Graduate School regarding where and when to obtain your Graduation Packet.

Certification Packet – Picking up your Cards and Guest Tickets

Students must obtain their packets by visiting and contacting their perspective Graduation Coordinators on campus. These are the coordinators affiliated with your school or college where you are earning your diploma. For example, students earning a degree from the School of Business should see the coordinator for School of Business.

In the past, Morgan has sponsored a Commencement Corner Day. This is an event for graduation degree candidates where they can pick up their Graduation Packets, have financial exit interviews, ask questions about regalia/robing, and obtain other Commencement information, etc.   Please check the Commencement website for the exact date and time.

The packets are generally given out the day before Commencement. Time and location Information will be posted on the Morgan Commencement website.  The Certification Packet consists of the following:

• CERTIFICATION CARD
• GUEST ADMIT TICKETS (Only needed if we meet indoors)

If you are unable to pick up your packet the day before Commencement, please arrive early on Commencement Day to pick up your Certification Card and Guest Admit tickets from the table set up by the Office of Registrar in the Commencement area.

Certification Card:

Each degree candidate will be issued one (1) certification card.  Only that degree candidate can use the certification card issued to participate in the University’s Commencement Exercises.  The certification card will bear the degree candidate’s name and discipline (and Latin honors, if earned) and a special code that prevents duplication of the card. Once degree candidates receive the certification card, they should secure the card in a safe place.

Degree candidates must bring the certification card on Graduation Day. Degree candidates WILL NOT be admitted to participate in the University’s Commencement Exercises without their certification card.

All tickets are distributed evenly to all graduation candidates. There are no extra tickets.  Tickets are never sold and are not for sale.

Graduate School degree candidates, please check with the Graduate School regarding where and when to obtain your Graduation Packet.

COMMENCEMENT DAY

What time do I need to arrive for the Commencement Exercise?

Students are asked to arrive at the selected assembly area no later than 8:30 am.

Where do I line up on Graduation Day for the Commencement Exercises?

Typical for the Fall Commencement Exercises, the Degree Candidates report to the University Student Center no later than 8:30 AM.  For the Spring Commencement Exercises, Degree Candidates typically report to the main academic quadrangle in front of Holmes Hall.  Before graduation day, please check for location information on the Morgan State Commencement website: http://commencement.morgan.edu/.

Where should I park for Commencement?

All University garages and parking lots will be available for parking on graduation day. Please see the University Commencement web pages and the Morgan Parking site for more information.

I graduated last month and I would like an extra Commencement program. Where can I get one?

Commencement program booklets are also digital and can be found on the Morgan Commencement website.

When do I receive my graduation diploma?

Diplomas are mailed to students who have been cleared and have fulfilled all of their University obligations based on the following schedule:

Winter Conferral – mid-February

Spring Conferral – mid-June

Summer Conferral – mid-September

Fall Conferral – mid-January

If you have any questions about diplomas, please contact graduation@morgan.edu.

What items are prohibited at a Morgan State University Commencement?

PROHIBITED ITEMS AT COMMENCMENT

The following items are prohibited for ALL individuals (faculty, administration, staff, graduates, other participants and patrons, etc.) attending the Commencement Ceremonies:

• alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs carried in by patrons
• glass bottles or metal containers
• ice chests or large coolers
• bota bags or wine skins
• sticks, bats, or clubs, including any attachments
• fireworks, firearms, or other weapons or simulated weapons
• bullhorns or other artificial noisemakers
• framed backpacks
• animals other than certified guide dogs for the disabled
• balloons, drones, or other airborne devices
• food and beverages
• cell phones that are not turned off or placed on vibrate

What should my guests know about the weather for May Commencement?

Dress for Weather

Baltimore weather can vary widely from sunny and hot to cold and rainy in mid-May. When Commencement is outdoors, dress comfortably, keeping in mind the weather. Please bring umbrellas, hats, sunscreen, raincoats, etc. as necessary.