Rehearsal & Graduation Packets

COMMENCEMENT CONDUCT EXPECTATIONS AND CONSEQUENCES

Commencement is a formal academic ceremony honoring graduates, their families, and the legacy of Morgan State University. To preserve the dignity, safety, and integrity of the ceremony, all participants must follow established conduct expectations.

Graduates are expected to maintain respectful behavior, follow instructions from staff, remain seated unless directed, refrain from disruptive actions, and dress appropriately.

View Commencement Conduct Expectations & Consequences

REHEARSAL ON VIDEO

All degree candidates are encouraged to view our Commencement Information and Rehearsal Videos before the commencement exercise. These videos will give important information on how to dress for commencement, how to wear your regalia, where to line up, how to be robed during the exercise, and much more.

Graduate School and Undergraduate Students:
Start viewing the Rehearsal videos now so that you will know how to perform the ceremonial hooding.

GRADUATION PACKET

There will be an in-person rehearsal for the School of Graduate Studies and Undergraduate candidates.  Candidates are encouraged to attend. At the rehearsal, students will receive their Graduation Packet, which consists of:

• Guest Admit Tickets - When meeting indoors, guest admit tickets are given to each candidate and are determined by the recommendation from the Morgan Fire Marshal. This is calculated based on the legal maximum capacity for the venue according to the Baltimore City and Maryland State fire code regulations. Guests without tickets may view the ceremony via the live stream on the University Website.
• Certification Card - Please do not lose this card. You need this to cross the stage on Commencement Day

School of Graduate Studies Candidates

• Rehearsal date, time, location – TBA.
• Check with the Graduate School as to when you will receive your packet.

Undergraduate Candidates

• Rehearsal is usually the day before the Undergraduate Commencement at an Event called Commencement Corner and Rehearsal Day
• Location is at Hill Field House from 9 am to 12 noon
• All candidates must attend and bring their caps, gowns and hoods to the rehearsal. Rehearsal is one hour and graduation packets will be distributed from 10:00 am to 12 noon. At the end of rehearsal, students will report to the designated locations for their college/school in Hill Field House to pick up their graduation packets. The remainder of the time is for exit interviews, financial aid wrap-up, regalia checks, etc.

Rehearsal Agenda for both School of Graduate Studies and Undergraduate Candidates

Students will be instructed by the Chief Marshal, Associate Marshals and Deans on protocol and procedures for being awarded the degree and about conduct during the commencement exercises.

School of Graduate Studies - Rehearsal Information and Graduation Packet

REHEARSAL & CERTIFICATION DAY
Wednesday, May 13, 2026, 3 p.m.
Location: Murphy Fine Arts Center, Gilliam Concert Hall/Atrium
For: All Graduate Deans, Candidates, and Doctoral Candidates' Dissertation Advisors
Note: Doctoral candidates, please bring your regalia hoods.

Doors will open at 3:00 p.m. for students to pick up their certification cards and guest tickets for the Spring 2026 Commencement. Rehearsal will begin promptly at 4:00 p.m. in the auditorium. Please note that certification cards and guest tickets will not be distributed during the rehearsal period. Students who have not picked up their packet before rehearsal will have the opportunity to do so after rehearsal concludes.

Schedule
3–4 p.m. – Packet Pick-Up
4–5 p.m. – Rehearsal
5–6 p.m. – Packet Pick-Up

Each graduation candidate will receive four (4) guest tickets. Please be advised that additional tickets are not available, and the sale or purchase of tickets is strictly prohibited.
 
Students who require additional tickets are encouraged to ask fellow graduation candidates about any unused tickets or have their guests view the Commencement Ceremony via live stream.

Graduation Packet Information

CERTIFICATION CARD

Each degree candidate will be issued one (1) certification card.  Only that degree candidate can use the certification card issued to participate in the University’s Commencement Exercises.  The certification card will bear the degree candidate’s name and discipline (and Latin honors, if earned) and a special code that prevents duplication of the card.

Once degree candidates receive the certification card, they should secure the card in a safe place.  Degree candidates must bring the certification card on Graduation Day. Degree candidates WILL NOT be admitted to participate in the University’s Commencement Exercises without their certification card. 

GUEST ADMIT TICKETS (For Indoor Commencement Events)

These tickets are needed when we meet indoors. The number of guest tickets, when needed, will be announced to students once we get closer to the commencement dates.

All guests must have an OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY GUEST ADMIT TICKET to enter the graduation venue. Each degree candidate who is certified for graduation will be provided with Guest Admit Tickets to distribute to their guests.

When meeting indoors, guest admit tickets per candidate are determined by the recommendation from the Morgan Fire Marshal and are calculated based on the legal maximum capacity for the venue according to the Baltimore City and Maryland State fire code regulations.

Guests without tickets may view the ceremony via the live stream on the University Website.

Commencement Live Stream

A live stream of each ceremony will be accessible via the University’s Commencement Page to accommodate those family members and friends who exceed the number of Guest Admit Tickets available.