Frequently Asked Questions

Howard University’s 158th Commencement Convocation is Saturday, May 9 at 10 a.m. on the The Yard (Upper Quadrangle) on Howard’s Main Campus. Entrances to The Yard are on 6th Street NW between Fairmont Street NW and Howard Place NW.

Gates to The Yard open at 7 a.m. All individuals must be seated by 9:30 a.m. No access will be allowed on The Yard after 9:45 a.m. There is no reentry.

Howard’s Commencement speaker and honorary degree recipients will be announced soon.

The individual ceremonies for schools and colleges begin on Wednesday, May 6 through Saturday, May 8. For a complete schedule for each individual ceremony, including the location, visit the Events Calendar.

Rehearsal dates, times and locations for each school and college are available on the Events Calendar.

Tickets are required to enter the venue for the 158th Commencement on The Yard on May 9, 2026. 

Tickets are distributed to graduating seniors only, who then provide them to family and friends. Everyone over the age of two is required to have a ticket and be seated. 

Each graduating student who has been academically and financially cleared will receive four (4) tickets maximum for their guests, including family and friends. Graduates do not need a ticket but are required to wear their cap and gown or have it with them.

Tickets will be distributed at the Howard University Bookstore from May 4 – 8, 2026. Tickets must be picked up in person. The HU Bison Student ID will be required to obtain tickets.

Graduates should contact their respective schools and colleges to understand ticket policies for graduating ceremonies for individual schools and colleges.

Faculty and staff should follow university guidelines. Dates and locations for picking up tickets will be announced through internal email. Faculty and staff will need to show their Howard ID to pick up tickets.

Children two years old and younger do not need a ticket for entry. However, children without a ticket must sit on an adult’s lap during the ceremony without obstructing the view of other guests. Children three years old and over require a ticket.

Tickets entitle guests to general seating on a first-come, first-served basis. When seating on The Yard reaches capacity, guests will be directed to overflow areas on campus, including Cramton Auditorium, Burr Gymnasium, and Greene Stadium, subject to change.

The Commencement exercises and the individual ceremonies for schools and colleges will be livestreamed. You may access the livestream links from the Ceremony Livestreams page.

Interpreters will be on stage for all Commencement ceremonies.

Using the Metro or rideshare is the best way to travel to the campus as parking is very limited and traffic will be heavy because of street closures. Learn more about Transportation, Parking, and Street Closures.

The nearest Metro stations to the campus are Shaw-Howard University, U Street-African American Civil War Memorial, and Georgia Ave-Petworth. These stations are on the yellow and green lines. Shuttle service is available from the Shaw-Howard University Metro Station on Commencement Day.

For rideshare, the suggested drop-off point is the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Fairmont Street, NW near the Howard University School of Business. The suggested pick-up point is near Banneker Recreation Center at 2500 Georgia Avenue, NW.

Driving and parking are not suggested. Using the Metro or rideshare is the best way to travel to the campus, as parking is very limited and traffic will be heavy because of street closures. 

Yes, shuttle service will be available on Commencement Day.

ADA information will be available shortly.

Only clear bags that measure no larger than 12″ x 12″ x 6″ are permitted, with the exception of medical and baby bags. All bags are subject to screening before entry. 

Get more information on the University’s clear bag policy and prohibited items.

Commencement is one of the most important events of the year for Howard University where we honor and applaud the achievement and successes of our graduates. Guests are expected to respect this time-honored tradition. Visibly obscene, indecent or inappropriate clothing will be prohibited.

Free water stations will be available at designated locations on the campus for students, family and guests. Additional food and beverages will be available for purchase. No outside food or beverages will be allowed on campus.

Restrooms for Commencement are located outside in front of the Armour J. Blackburn University Center and Founders Library near The Yard. ADA restrooms are located outside in front of Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel.

Commencement will occur rain or shine. You may want to pack a small poncho, as umbrellas are not allowed on The Yard should there be rain on Commencement Day. 

No. Umbrellas are not allowed on The Yard, rain or shine.

Yes. The medical tent will be located on The Yard next to Lula Childers Hall (Chadwick Boseman College of Fine Arts). Medical areas will also be in each of the overflow areas — Cramton Auditorium, Burr Gymnasium, and Greene Stadium.

In the event of an emergency, call 911 or the Howard University Department of Public Safety at (202) 806-1100.

The Department of Public Safety works in partnership with the university community to enhance the safety and quality of life for students, faculty, staff and visitors through effective law enforcement and proactive crime prevention efforts.