FAQ

All activities related to Commencement are managed by the Office of Commencement. For details and information including ceremony times, location, and cap and gown ordering can be found on the commencement website under Ceremony Information. Should you have any questions or concerns please contact our office at commencement@miami.edu.

There are two commencements annually: Fall Commencement held in December and Spring Commencement held in May. All students who wish to participate in commencement must apply to graduate via CaneLink by the deadline. Students who are scheduled to complete their degree requirements in Fall should apply during the fall semester and participate in the ceremony in December. Students who are scheduled to complete their degree requirements in Spring or Summer should apply during the spring semester and participate in the ceremony in May. For full details please click here.

In certain circumstances students will be allowed to walk in a ceremony other than the one held in the semester in which they complete their degree requirements. Acceptable circumstances include: study abroad; full-time internships/employment; summer graduation with deferred ceremony (some summer graduates elect to delay their participation in commencement until December). If you wish to participate in a ceremony other than the one in which your degree will be completed, please visit the application for graduation page for details. ALL other candidates must apply online via CaneLink.

The University of Miami covers all costs for all graduates’ regalia. Students are only responsible for the shipping fee. After the ceremony, the regalia is yours to keep or recycle. Students have the option to purchase graduation invitations and announcements, diploma frames and other graduation gifts.

Yes, GradImages photographers will be at commencement and will take a picture of each graduate as they walk across the stage. A complimentary copy of the photo taken as the graduate is congratulated by the President will be mailed to the graduates at the address listed on the reader card, along with instructions to order additional prints. After the event, photo proofs will be available to view on the GradImages website. Personal photographs may be taken only before and after the ceremony. No one is permitted in the aisles during the ceremony.

Yes. Visit the livestream website on the day of the ceremony to watch the webcast event.

Commencement is a capstone event and great Miami Hurricane tradition. There is no formal dress code; however, it is recommended the graduate dress for a special occasion. Friends and family may dress however they are comfortable for the event. Keep in mind that the ceremony is indoors in an air-conditioned arena.

Candidates for a University of Miami honorary degree, or a degree honoris causa, are submitted to the University via a nomination process and must undergo a committee review and Board approval in order to be selected. Our honorary degree archive webpage provides additional information about honorary degree conferrals.

You may contact the Office of Commencement at (305) 284-1824 or commencement@miami.edu.

For all questions regarding eligibility to graduate, please contac the Office of the Registrar at (305) 284-2294 or your school/college advisor.

Students must apply online via CaneLink to participate in the ceremony. View the Application for Graduation page for deadlines and more information. If you need clarification on when to apply contact the Office of the Registrar at (305) 284-2294 or the Office of Commencement at (305) 284-1824.

Extra regalia that was not preordered via the CaneLink application or the Office of Commencement registration form is available on a VERY LIMITED first-come, first-served basis. Because of publication print deadlines, we cannot guarantee that students who register after the deadline are listed in the program. If you want to be listed in the program book, and have reserved regalia, it is important to apply to graduate before the deadline.

Once all financial holds are cleared and your degree is posted by your school or college, your diploma will be processed. You should receive your diploma in the mail about eight weeks after graduation. Answers to more of your questions about Graduation and Diplomas can be found online. For immediate status of your diploma, search the order status of your University of Miami diploma.

Diploma covers are distributed to each candidate as they walk across the stage on the day of their commencement ceremony.

Students should check with each individual school or college about any special receptions. Reception times and locations, when available, are listed on our website Reception Information.

No. The University of Miami does not host an Honors ceremony.

There are various other celebrations hosted by UM Departments, including the Graduating Legacy Reception, Senior Mwambo Ceremony, and Lavender Celebration and Recognition Ceremony. Details and more information on how to participate can be found on our Receptions webpage.

All students must order regalia via the Herff Jones order site by the October 8, 2020 deadline. The link is provided to you once you complete the CaneLink application (Fall 2020) or submit the RSVP form (Spring/Summer 2020 grads). If you have questions, contact commencement@miami.edu

Regalia is provided free of charge to all graduating University of Miami students. Students are only responsible for the shipping fee. All students must order regalia via the Herff Jones ordering site by the October 8, 2020 deadline.

Yes. All doctoral students have the option to purchase custom doctoral regalia. For more information or to place your order, visit the Herff Jones site. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery.

No. The University of Miami does not have special regalia for Latin Honors. There is no additional cord or stole. The Latin honor for each graduate is displayed on screen and read aloud as they walk across the stage. It is also indicated in the program book next to the graduates name and included on the diploma.

All Bachelor's degree candidates should wear the tassel on the right side of the cap. During the ceremony they will be instructed to move the tassel to the left side after degrees are conferred.

All Master's and Doctoral degree candidates should wear the tassel on the left side of the cap.

All faculty who plan to participate whether as invited stage party or general faculty must RSVP and order regalia on the Faculty RSVP website by the deadline.

Please visit the guest page for details on planning your visit, venue, accessibility, etc.

The Office of Commencement does not provide formal letters or invitations for international guests. Information on this topic and what is needed for guests can be found on the International Students and Scholars Services website.

Students and families can order custom UM graduation gifts and products, learn more and purchase products here.

The Official UM Stole of Gratitude can be purchased when you pick up your regalia during cap and gown distribution. The cost is $25 (credit card only). For more information, visit the Official UM Stole page. Stoles will also be sold on ceremony day, while supplies last.

If you are a registered student organization looking to make a group purchase, please contact commencement@miami.edu 

Yes, closed caption is available for all Commencement ceremonies at miami.edu/closedcaption.

We do not provide wheelchairs for our guests. Rental options are provided by Medical Equipment Solutions at (305) 590-5755. Please mention that it is for the University of Miami Commencement ceremony.