Frequently asked questions

December FAQ

The frequently asked questions are for members of the University community and their guests regarding the December Commencement program and associated events and activities.

Q. How many guest tickets will be allotted to degree candidates for December Commencement?
A. Undergraduates and graduate degree candidates may request up to four tickets for guests. Request tickets.

Q. What is Rotunda Recessional?
A. Rotunda Recessional is a symbolic departure from campus and serves as a welcome to the newest members of the SMU alumni family.

Q. As a degree candidate, am I required to get a ticket to participate in the events?
A. Yes. Degree candidates must register to attend December Commencement. Instructions for how to register for these ceremonies will be emailed in October.

Q. I am a degree candidate. Where can I find information about applying for graduation and any other specific instructions?
A. Please review the graduates page for information about how to apply for graduation and the December ceremonies page for instructions for what is required for December Commencement.

Q. Where do I order academic regalia?
A. Academic regalia rentals are made through Herff Jones. Your order will be sent to your home address. You must enter your current shipping address on the online order form. For more information and the order deadline, visit the regalia page.

Q. I am a member of the SMU faculty. Where can I find information specific to faculty participating in the events?
A. All information is available on the December ceremonies page.

May FAQ

The following frequently asked questions are for members of the University community and their guests regarding the May Commencement program and associated events and activities.

Q. How many guest tickets will be allotted to degree candidates for the All-University Commencement ceremony?
A. Undergraduates and most graduate degree candidates may request up to two tickets for guests. Doctoral degree candidates may request up to four guest tickets due to the special hooding ceremony that occurs during the ceremony in recognition of this high academic achievement. Request tickets.

Q. What are the Baccalaureate Service and Rotunda Recessional?
A. The Baccalaureate Service is a non-denominational religious ceremony held the Friday evening before May Commencement in McFarlin Auditorium. This small and intimate service features a special sermon for undergraduate candidates and their guests. The service lasts approximately one hour.

Rotunda Recessional is a symbolic departure from campus and serves as a welcome to the newest members of the SMU alumni family.

Q. How can I request guest tickets for the Baccalaureate Service, and how many guest tickets will be available?
A. Candidates may request up to two guest tickets. Extra tickets not requested for Baccalaureate are distributed on the stairs in front of McFarlin Auditorium at 4 p.m. on the day of the service. Request tickets.

Q. What factors determine the number of available guest tickets?
A. We anticipate as many as 1,600 candidates will participate in activities over Commencement Weekend. The City of University Park fire code dictates how many guests can be permitted into Moody Coliseum and McFarlin Auditorium for staged events. This safety measure is the reason the number of guest tickets is capped per degree candidate.

Q. As a degree candidate, am I required to get a ticket to participate in the events?
A. Yes. Degree candidates must register to attend the All-University Commencement and/or Baccalaureate and Rotunda Recessional ceremonies. Each degree candidate will receive one ticket to each event. Instructions for how to register for these ceremonies will be emailed in April.

Q. I am a degree candidate. Where can I find information about applying for graduation and any other specific instructions?
A. Please review the graduates page for information about how to apply for graduation and the May ceremonies page for instructions on what is required for the All-University Commencement and individual college and school diploma ceremonies.

Academic regalia rentals are made through Herff Jones. Your order will be sent to your home address. You must enter your current shipping address on the online order form. For more information and the order deadline, visit the regalia page.

Q. I am a guest. Where can I find general information about events during SMU’s Commencement Weekend?
A. Event details, parking and accessibility information, suggestions for dress, lodging, photography tips and more are available on the guest page.

Additional information about security, prohibited and approved items, and parking is also available on the parking and security page.

Q. I am a member of the SMU faculty. Where can I find information specific to faculty participating in the events?
A. All information is available on the May ceremonies page.

Q. How does the All-University Commencement on Saturday morning differ from the individual school or departmental degree recognition ceremonies?
A. During the All-University Commencement in May, doctoral candidates are recognized individually by receiving their hood while crossing the stage. For graduate and undergraduate students, the President and their respective school dean recognize graduates by conferring degrees as a group. These students are then recognized individually at their departmental degree recognition ceremonies.

The school or departmental ceremony is an opportunity for each program to celebrate as a cohort and honor each student as they walk across the stage. Unlike the All-University Commencement, the number of guest tickets for the individual ceremonies is not capped at two and additional family members and guests can attend and hear the students’ names be called and watch them cross the stage. Some department ceremonies do have limited seating, however. More information about the degree recognition ceremonies and any ticket information is available on the May ceremonies page.