For Graduates

Degree candidates are required to assemble by School or College beginning at 7 a.m. at the Capital One Arena. The processional will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. Prospective graduates who arrive late may not be allowed to sit with their respective school or college and may be added to the end of the procession.

For graduates in full academic regalia: 

Capital One Arena Gallery Place Entrance: G Street Alley entrance (midway on Seventh Street NW; between F and G Streets NW)

• All graduates must be in full academic regalia to enter and participate in the ceremony
• Graduates should go to their assigned section to gather and be seated prior to the processional.

The University Marshal, with the assistance of the faculty, student, and staff marshals, will assemble the procession. Under the direction of your school or college marshal(s), candidates will form in columns of two behind the markers designating their respective schools or colleges. On the signal from the University Marshal, the candidates will march to their assigned seats. Upon reaching the assigned seats, the candidates will remain standing, facing the rostrum, until the president of the University acknowledges the salute of the University Marshal, then all will sit simultaneously.

After the ceremony and due to space constraints, all graduate meet-ups will take place outside of the facility immediately following the recessional. The recessional will lead graduates out of the arena to 6th Street and families are encouraged to meet the graduates outside of the building on F Street at the close of the commencement ceremony. 

Individual school and college ceremonies will be livestreamed on our livestream page in addition to being held in person.

Official announcements are available for purchase through the Howard University Bookstore. Candidates may order announcements at the ordering fair or online at colleges.herffjones.com.

Clearance for graduation is the process of completing and fulfilling all academic and financial requirements established by the University. Each candidate is personally responsible for obtaining academic and financial clearance prior to graduation. Please consult your respective school or college to determine if you have met all academic requirements. For financial clearance, you must report to the Office of the Bursar to settle your account. Only candidates with official University clearance by both the respective school or college and the Office of the Bursar will be approved to receive the academic costume and to participate in the Commencement Ceremony.

All graduation clearance questions should be directed to the respective schools and colleges. For a list of all 14 schools and colleges, please click here.

At the direction of the dean of the school or college, the candidates will rise and face the rostrum, and remain standing at attention. The dean then presents the class to the president of the University. The president confers the degree, and the person at the graduate’s immediate left invests him/her with the hood. All graduates face forward, remain standing at attention, and await the signal of the dean before sitting.

Note: Graduation is a joyous and special occasion. It is a time for celebration and merriment. Remember, however, that Commencement is a formal University function. We ask you to maintain the order and solemnity of the proceedings. It is a courtesy we owe each other and our guests.