Commencement Tickets & Regalia

Ticketing and Admission

GENERAL ADMISSION

Howard University is honored to host Peabody, Emmy, and Grammy-Award winner LeVar Burton as the convocation orator. Security protocols require that all attendees of the commencement ceremony present a ticket to access seating at the event.  

Graduates, faculty, staff, and guests will require a ticket for graduation. Graduates who are academically and financially cleared for participation by the University and faculty participating in the processional may enter the venue without a ticket if they are in full academic regalia.

Please refer to the pick-up schedule below for details on the designated regalia and ticket pick-up days throughout Bison commencement week for graduates of specific colleges and schools. All tickets will be accepted at Howard University for admission into the commencement ceremony.

Regalia

The academic costume consists of a cap, gown, hood, tassel, and black shoes. The cap is an essential part of the academic costume and 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.

Academic costume pre-order opportunities have passed. However, there will be extra costumes available for every graduate type for purchase at the Howard University Bookstore during each regalia and ticket pick up time period outlined below. Each candidate must complete all academic and financial requirements before academic costumes can be purchased. Candidates may receive further instruction via the HUB (Howard University Bookstore) Graduation Center.

Graduates who pre-ordered regalia may pick it up along with commencement convocation tickets during their designated time on the schedule below.

Important: to assure receipt of a properly fitting academic costume, you should know your head or hat size, and your height and weight. A size chart will be provided online or at the HUB to assist you in selecting the appropriate costume size.