Commencement Tickets & Regalia
All attendees of the Commencement ceremony must present a ticket. Howard University will hold its 158th Commencement Convocation on Saturday, May 9 at 10 a.m. on the Howard University campus, Upper Quadrangle (the Yard).
Ticketing and Admission
Security protocols require that all attendees of the Commencement ceremony present a ticket to access seating at the event except for faculty and graduates in regalia.
Faculty and graduates who are academically and financially cleared for Commencement participation by the University may enter the venue without a ticket if they are in full academic regalia. Other graduates, faculty, staff, and guests will require a ticket for graduation.
Regalia
Commencement’s academic regalia consists of a cap, gown, hood, tassel, and black shoes.
Protocol
Note that the cap is to be retained on the head throughout the academic exercises, except during prayer and the singing of the Alma Mater. In particular, the cap is not to be removed at any point during the Conferring of Degrees. The hood is not to be worn until the actual Conferring of Degrees by the president of the University.
Pre-Order Delivery
Academic regalia pre-order opportunities expire on April 17. Pre-ordered regalia will be shipped directly to the graduate’s designated address.
Other Purchase Opportunities
There will be extra regalia items available for purchase for graduates who missed the pre-order deadline and have completed all academic and financial requirements. Regalia items may be purchased at the Howard University Campus Store (Bookstore) from Monday, May 4 thru Friday, May 8; from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To ensure receipt of a properly fitting academic regalia, know your head or hat size and your height and weight. A size chart will be provided online or at the Howard University Campus Store (Bookstore) to assist you in selecting the appropriate sizes.
Ticket Pick-Up Schedule
Howard University welcomes a limited number of guests to celebrate the 2026 graduating class during the 158th Commencement. Each graduate will receive four (4) tickets for guests. Guests must receive tickets from graduates.
Graduates may pick up tickets at the Howard University Campus Store (Bookstore) at 2225 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20059 on the date designated for their school or college below.
| School/College | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| College of Arts & Sciences | Wednesday, May 6 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. |
| College of Dentistry | Monday, May 4 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. |
| College of Engineering and Architecture | Tuesday, May 5 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. |
| College of Fine Arts | Tuesday, May 5 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. |
| College of Medicine | Monday, May 4 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. |
| College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences | Monday, May 4 | 2–5 p.m. |
| College of Pharmacy | Monday, May 4 | 2–5 p.m. |
| Graduate School | Tuesday, May 5 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. |
| School of Business | Tuesday, May 5 | 2–5 p.m. |
| School of Communications | Tuesday, May 5 | 2–5 p.m. |
| School of Divinity | Monday, May 4 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. |
| School of Education | Tuesday, May 5 | 2–5 p.m. |
| School of Law | Wednesday, May 6 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. |
| 2–5 p.m. | ||
| School of Social Work | Monday, May 4 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. |
Other Times
Graduates who did not pick up tickets at their designated time may pick up tickets on the following dates.
| Date | Time | |
|---|---|---|
| Additional Dates | Thursday, May 7 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. |
| 2–5 p.m. | ||
| Friday, May 8 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | |
| 2–5 p.m. |