Frequently Asked Questions

How is UMBC celebrating commencement?

UMBC will be having two ceremonies (One for Graduate School and one for Undergraduates). All ceremonies will be live streamed and a virtual participation option is available for graduates.

Undergraduate FAQs

Where are my guest tickets?

Prior to the ceremony, we will distribute graduation passes and guest tickets via email. We will release as many tickets per student as space allows. At this time, we anticipate each undergraduate will receive 5 tickets.

Guest tickets will be in your Marching Order account. You will need to login and click the “Manage Tickets” button to claim the amount of tickets needed. After that you will need to click the “Print/Email Tickets” button to either print or email your guest tickets for your guests.

Where is my GradPass?

We will distribute GradPasses via email. You will login to your Marching Order account and click the “Print GradPass” button.

Do GradPasses and Guest Tickets need to be printed?

Tickets and GradPasses can be scanned off of a device if needed, however we highly encourage guests and graduates to print out their passes as this helps mitigate any technical issues that may occur when tickets are on a device (ie: cracked screen, spotty service).

How do I apply for graduation?

Please review the Registrar’s Office Graduation Process for detailed information on how to apply for graduation. This process does NOT automatically register you for the Commencement ceremony. Deadlines for each semester are available on their website. If the Registrar’s Office has not cleared you to graduate, then you cannot participate in the commencement ceremony.

Who do I contact if I have further questions about the Graduation application process?

You can contact the Registrar’s Office via Request Tracker (RT).

How do I register for the commencement ceremony?

Graduates who have been cleared to graduate by either the Graduate School or the Registrar’s office will receive an email with information on how to register for the ceremony. Make sure to register by the stated deadline. If you missed the deadline, please email commencement@umbc.edu ASAP to see if we can still accommodate you.

Where will the link be to view the ceremonies online?

On the morning of the ceremony, the link to view it will be on our home page. Please share with your family and friends.

How long is the ceremony?

The number of graduates differs in each ceremony. They run between 90 minutes to 2 hours in length.

Will honors be recognized at the ceremony?

Yes, academic honors (cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude) will be in the commencement program under each eligible graduate’s name.

Do I have to participate in the ceremony in-person?

No. Graduates may participate in person or virtually, but it is not required to receive your diploma.

I am graduating and have a mobility disability, what do I do?

If you are a graduate participating in one of the three ceremonies and are using crutches, a wheelchair, or are otherwise unable to use stairs, please email commencement@umbc.edu letting us know what ceremony you are participating in and what your major is and we will work with you to find the best solution for your needs.

What if my guests need accessible seating?

There will be an Accessibility Services table inside the lobby of the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena. Accessible parking and shuttle buses; stair-free and wheelchair accessible seating (first-come, first-served); and ASL interpreters and live closed captioning will be available. Learn more by visiting our Accessibility page.

 

What can I bring to the CEI Arena?

Graduates are encouraged to leave belongings with their families. They will not return to the same seat once they cross the stage.

For guests, bags no larger than 12″x12″x8” will be permitted into Arena. All bags, purses, and personal items of any size are subject to search.

Diaper bags or medical bags are allowed to exceed the size limit, but will be searched. Strollers may not be brought into arena seating. You may leave a small folded stroller in the lobby behind the Accessibility table at your own risk. This policy is subject to change based on UMBC’s request.

Where do I get my cap and gown?

Regalia IS required for graduates to participate in the in-person ceremony. Graduates will receive an email to order through the UMBC Bookstore. Make sure to order by the deadline!

Undergraduate regalia will be shipped to the address you provide when ordering. Ph.D. and Master’s degrees candidates may choose to rent regalia through the bookstore. If rented, the regalia will be mailed with a return shipping label. You are responsible for the return of the regalia, and you will need to rent regalia again if you choose to participate in a future in-person ceremony.

Regalia is NOT required to participate virtually. You may order regalia for personal photos, if you choose. During registration, you will be asked to submit a photograph. We suggest that you show off your Retriever spirit in your best black and gold.

For more regalia information, visit our UMBC Regalia page.

Why can’t I login to Marching Order?

If you have never logged into Marching Order before, please refer to the email sent to you by commencement@umbc.edu. This email will have instructions on how to login and how to register for the commencement ceremony via Marching Order. If you have previously logged into Marching Order, make sure you are using your UMBC student ID email (ex: AB12345@umbc.edu) as your username. If you are not using this email you will get an error saying “you are not currently listed as an upcoming graduate.”

What is a GradPass?

Your “GradPass” is a QR code that will allow you to walk across the stage during the commencement ceremony. Without your GradPass, your name will not be able to be called when you walk across the stage.

Where can I find my GradPass?

You will receive an email when your GradPass is available. You will login to your Marching Order account and click the “Print GradPass” button. Only graduates who have registered before the deadline will receive a GradPass.

Graduate School FAQs

Please contact Patricia Winborn (pwinborn@umbc.edu) if you have any questions regarding the Graduate Ceremony.

There are no guest tickets for the Graduate School Ceremony. All guests are welcomed.

General FAQs

The Commencement team cannot issue letters. However, the Office of International Students and Scholars provides this helpful resource.

Undergraduate diplomas are not distributed at the commencement ceremony. Students can expect to receive their diploma at their mailing address 4 to 6 weeks after their degree has been conferred.

For more information on undergraduate diplomas, visit the Registrar Office’s website.

Ph.D. and MFA graduates who attend the commencement ceremony will receive their diplomas at the event. Those who are unable to attend will have their diplomas mailed to the address provided on their Diploma Application

Master’s degree candidates’ diplomas will be mailed to the address listed on your Diploma Application approximately 8 weeks after the conferral date.

Honors are based upon coursework taken over the duration of a student’s entire undergraduate academic career at UMBC. To be eligible for Commencement Honors, students must have earned at least 60 graded credits at UMBC (excluding Pass/Fail and Audit grades) with a GPA as follows:

  • Summa cum laude (“With highest honor”): Students graduating with a GPA between 3.95 and 4.0.
  • Magna cum laude (“With high honor”): Students graduating with a GPA between 3.75 and 3.9499.
  • Cum laude (“With honor”): Students graduating with a GPA between 3.5 and 3.7499.

Current graduates that are participating in the commencement ceremony in-person, and have purchased their regalia, will be able to pick up their honors cords and stoles at the Bookstore.

While students may be provisionally recognized with Honors at the time of the commencement ceremony and in the commencement program (refer to Eligibility for Undergraduate Commencement Participation), the official determination of Honors occurs after the commencement ceremony, once final semester grades have been submitted and calculated. The diploma of the University and the final official transcript are the only documents that officially award Honors at the time the degree is conferred by the University.

For additional information regarding Commencement and University Honors, please visit the Registrar’s Office website.