Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremonies

Graduation Ceremony | Eligibility | Tickets | Regalia | Arrival Time | Diplomas | Photos Livestream | Graduation Checklist | Graduation FAQ

Message to Graduating Students

Congratulations, 2025 BSOS graduates! Before you step onto that stage be sure to review the Graduation Checklist to ensure you're all set for the big day. Don't miss any important steps—your future self will thank you!

Opportunity awaits! If you're interested in being considered as a student speaker for the Spring 2025 commencement ceremonies, apply now.

Graduation Ceremony

The BSOS Commencement Ceremonies will take place on Wednesday, May 21st at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. in the Xfinity Center.

Ceremony 1 starting @ 12:00 p.m.

AAAS, ANTH, ECON, ENSP, GEOG, GVPT, SDSC, and START

Ceremony 2 starting @ 3:00 p.m.

CCJS, HESP, JPSM, NEUR, NACS, PSYC, and SOCY 

The ceremony will last approximately 2 hours and graduates must remain seated on the floor for the entirety of the ceremony. 

Eligibility 

All BSOS graduates who completed their degrees in Summer 2024, Fall 2024, or are on track to complete their degree in Spring 2025 are eligible to attend. 

Students in BSOS who will complete all degree requirements by August 2025, but not by May, can request permission to participate in the May BSOS College Commencement Ceremony & Main Campus Ceremony. You must review these guidelines and complete the online request form. Please contact your department's academic advisor to discuss your graduation status if you have any questions. 

Tickets

Tickets are not required for the BSOS Commencement Ceremonies and students are not required to RSVP. There is no limit to the number of guests per graduate, but seating is first-come, first-served.

Arrival Time

Graduates should arrive at The Xfinity Center's Pavilion (Auxiliary Gym) at 11:15 a.m. for the 12:00 p.m. ceremony and at 2:15 p.m. for the 3:00 p.m ceremony.

You can enter from Gate C or D. There is a ceremony before yours, so please do not arrive earlier. Any student arriving later than 11:15 a.m. or 2:15 p.m. may not be seated with their classmates. Please leave your bags or belongings with your families since there is no secure place to leave them during the ceremony. Upon arrival you will be asked to fill out a name card and line up by major.

If you are a student requiring accommodations, please contact your department’s commencement coordinator.

Regalia

All graduates must be in academic regalia to be included in the procession of graduates. 

For more information, including pricing and ways you can purchase, visit the University’s Commencement website.

Proper Way to Wear Regalia:
  • Active-duty military can wear their dress uniforms instead of regalia.
  • Honor cords and medals are placed on top of the stole.
  • The hood should be put on last (on top of the stole with honor cords). The button loop on your hood should be facing down. 

Diplomas

Students will not receive their diplomas at Commencement. Participation in this commencement does NOT mean you have final clearance for graduation.

  • Students who cleared for graduation will receive diplomas in eight to ten weeks.
  • Students who do not clear for graduation will receive written notification from the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.

Photos

Photos will be taken before and during the ceremony. While there is no obligation to purchase the prints, graduates will receive color proofs via your Terpmail email address approximately two weeks after commencement. To receive the proofs, please make sure the email on your name card is correct. For more information, contact GradImages at 800.628.4509, or visit www.gradimages.com.

Livestream

Guests who want to watch the ceremony on live streaming can get the link on the BSOS website before the ceremony. Links to livestreams for ceremonies will become available as we get closer to the date.

Graduation Checklist:

  • Apply for graduation on Testudo

  • Meet all university requirements

  • Settle your student account

  • Update your address and email address on Testudo

  • Check commencement.umd.edu for schedules and other helpful information for your guests

  • Purchase your regalia from the University Book Center

  • Conduct an exit interview with the Office of Financial Aid

  • Make arrangements for guests attending your graduation ceremonies

Graduation FAQ:

Yes. Students who will be finishing degree requirements in this Spring 2025 and intend to graduate must apply for graduation. The application for graduation is due Friday, February 76, 2025, electronically via Testudo.

Participation in the campus-wide and college ceremonies are encouraged, but not mandatory. If a student chooses not to participate in the commencement ceremonies, they will still receive their diploma.

The campus wide ceremony is a program that acknowledges all graduates of the university. It does not include calling of graduate names and degrees, and students do not walk across the stage. In the BSOS Commencement, graduates walk across the stage. students do not walk across the stage. In the BSOS Commencement, graduates walk across the stage. 

Students can choose to attend both college ceremonies, only one ceremony, or neither.  Attendance is at the discretion of the student.

Yes, cap decorating is permitted.