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 at the Watsco Center.

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

For all questions regarding eligibility to graduate, please contact your school/college advisor.

Fall candidates must apply when the application for graduation opens in the fall semester (typically in September). Spring/Summer candidates must apply when the application for graduation opens in the spring semester (typically in March).

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 your academic advisor.

The deadline to place an order for cap and gown can be found here. If you miss the deadline, extra cap and gown will be available on site at the commencement ceremonies. Extra regalia 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 will be 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.

Graduates can check if their degree has already been posted online via CaneLink first and, if so, it can take 3-5 weeks to then receive their diploma in the mail. You can view degree status in Canelink using the information under “Degree Status” provided by the Office of the Registrar.

You can also check the shipping status of your degree at this link: https://www.michaelsutter.com/miami. 

If your degree hasn't been conferred you should speak with your advisor or program director to check on the status of the conferral. If it has and it has been 3-5 weeks and you still have not receive your diploma you can ’Canes Central via any of the means listed at canescentral.miami.edu/contact/.

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

To be nominated for an Honorary Degree, Faculty affairs will have to nominate you. Click on the link for more information: https://facultyaffairs.miami.edu/_assets/pdf/honorary-degree-policy.pdf

An honorary degree may be awarded to an individual who satisfies at least two of the following criteria:

- Distinctive achievement or leadership, whether in the course of one’s career, field of scholarship, public service, or artistic, literary, governmental, religious, financial, or other endeavors.

- A significant reason for recognition by the University of Miami, in form of an association or relationship with the University, or a valued relationship between the individual’s achievements and the mission or life of the University.

- A person whose life or work exemplifies the highest values of the University of Miami, and its mission to transform lives through education, research, innovation, and service.

- Particular significance for the individual being recognized. Achievement and distinction that have not been similarly recognized by a number of other institutions.

- Current trustees, faculty, or staff of the University of Miami.

- Incumbent elected officials and sitting heads of state (except under special

circumstances).

A Posthumously degree is awarded to a student who has passed away before completing all degree requirements. 

For more information, please visit the Office of the University of Accreditation and view the procedures for Awarding Posthumous Degrees.

For ticket reservation information, review the "Tickets" section of the Graduation Checklist.

For all information and frequently asked questions regarding Watsco Center venue policies, please visit the venue webpage.

Each graduate is entitled to unlimited guest tickets.

Parking is conveniently located near the Watsco Center. The parking map will be posted on the parking and venue page.

Yes, the University of Miami Campus Store will be on-site selling flowers, diploma frames, and other UM items.

Children 2 and under do not require their own ticket.

After applying for graduation in CaneLink you will receive the link to place your order for cap and gown. You must place your order by the deadline in order to guarantee that you receive it on time. Additional fees will apply after the deadline and there is no guarantee that your cap and gown will arrive on time.

If you missed the deadline to order cap and gown, extra cap and gown will be available at the graduate check-in area when you arrive to the ceremony. Please make sure to stop by the Herff Jones table to get your cap and gown.

If you plan on attending the in-person ceremony you can pick up your cap and gown on the day of the ceremony. We will have very limited extras available at the graduate check-in area. Be sure to arrive 1 hour before the ceremony start time.

Stoles can be purchased online when purchasing your cap and gown. Stoles of gratitude will be available for purchase on the day of the in-person ceremony at the Graduate Check-in area. They are $25 each, credit card only.

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 deadline. Orders placed after the deadline will incur additional fees.

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.

Click here to view how to wear your regalia.

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.

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 online when you order your cap and gown. The cost is $25. 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 

The University of Miami is excited to provide celebratory signs for graduates and families to show off their pride! Pick your favorite design, choose your size, download the file, take it to your local print shop, and show off your accomplishment. Click here to download your sign.

Graduates should arrive at least one hour prior to ceremony start time. All graduates must arrive fully dressed and wearing their hoods (this includes Doctoral, M.D. & Law students). If you missed the deadline to order cap and gown, extra cap and gown will be available at the graduate check-in area. Graduate entrance is located at the Watsco Center Multipurpose Room.

At the graduate check-in area graduates will receive their name card. The back of your name card must be filled out using the pens provided. Graduates also have the opportunity to make edits to the way your name is displayed by visiting the troubleshooting table. Herff Jones will also be on site for any cap and gown issues. Graduates will also be able to purchase the stole of gratitude ($25 credit card only).

Latin honors are awarded to bachelor's degree candidates only. All Latin honors at commencement are based on your previous semesters GPA. The Office of the Registrar will be present at graduate check-in to assist with any questions regarding Latin honors.

All graduates physically present will walk across the stage and have their name read aloud and displayed on the screen. You will receive a diploma cover as you walk up to the stage. Graduates will take a photo with the president. No handshaking with the president or Dean is allowed.

Doctoral students will not be hooded on stage and should arrive wearing their hood.

Each ceremony will last approximately 2.5 - 3 hours, depending on the total number of graduates attending.

All graduates will be physically distanced and seated on the floor of the arena. Graduates are seated with their classmates according to school or college and degree level. Graduates are not seated alphabetically or by specific degrees.

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

Graduates are abel to reserve an unlimited amount of guest tickets.

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.

Doors will open 1 hour prior to each ceremony start time.

Parking is free for all graduates and guests.

Click here to view details and parking map.

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

Watsco Center has wheelchairs that are used to transport guests from the entrance to their seat. These are not available to rent or use for personal use. Therefore, guests are encouraged to bring their own wheelchairs.

Special needs parking will be indicated on the parking map.

For more information on Special Needs accommodations during the ceremony, please visit the Accessibility page.

Some schools/colleges may host receptions. Please reach out to your school/college directly for that information. It will also be posted on the receptions page on our website.

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.