Master's Candidates

August master's candidates have two options for participating in commencement. They can participate in either the spring commencement prior to their graduation date, or the fall commencement following their graduation date. Please contact the Graduate School for questions.

To participate in commencement:

May Ceremony: Apply to graduate (Step 1) for the summer semester in MyView by October 1 in order to participate in commencement. While participation is not required, you must RSVP to participate in commencement (Step 2) within the online application. The process and deadlines are emailed to all candidates, and they are also located on the commencement website. You’ll need to complete the second step in applying for your degree [M4/G10], but the Graduate School will reach out to you to start this process if it has not been completed by the end of May. Your diploma will be mailed after your degree is conferred in August.

December Ceremony: If you’ve completed both steps to apply for graduation (MyView and M4/G10) and the degree requirements, you will have already graduated in August and received your diploma mailed to the address on file in MyView by the December commencement.  The process and deadlines are emailed to all candidates, and they are also located on the commencement website. 

All August graduate names are printed in the fall commencement program following their graduation. However, August candidates who apply by the spring deadline will also be printed in the spring commencement program prior to their graduation. Each program will be available online the week after the ceremony. All other commencement information remains the same for August candidates.

Order Commencement Regalia

To order commencement regalia, visit the Triton Store.

• All students, faculty, and administration taking part in the ceremony are required to wear traditional academic attire.
• Purchase your cap and gown from UMSL's vendors at the Triton Store (209 MSC) to ensure you have the correct commencement attire. 
  • Oak Hall Industries is the official vendor for caps and gowns.

• Business casual dress should be worn under gowns. This includes professional dresses, skirts, collared shirts, ties, etc. 
• Tall heels are not recommended. 
• Commencement gowns should not be altered in any way. 
• The university reserves the right to require you to wear a different gown or to remove any embellishment deemed inappropriate by authorized university officials before you are permitted to participate in the ceremony.
• Learn how to properly wear your graduate attire (specific to your degree). Staff will be present day of for any questions.

• Caps should be worn with the widow's peak in the back. 
• Use bobby pins to secure caps to longer hairstyles.
• Cap decorations must be appropriate and not block the view of those seated around you.
• All decorations must lie flat on the mortarboard. Nothing should hang over the edge, no lights should be attached and nothing should be on the skull-cap portion of the cap. 
• The university reserves the right to require you to wear a different cap or to remove any embellishment deemed inappropriate by authorized university officials before you are permitted to participate in the ceremony.

• Master's students should wear their tassel on the left side of their cap, since they have already graduated with a bachelor's degree.
• Tassels represent the color of your college and should NOT be decorated.
• The university reserves the right to require you to wear a different tassel or to remove any embellishment deemed inappropriate by authorized university officials before you are permitted to participate in the ceremony.

• Students who belong to academic honor societies recognized by UMSL may wear that organization's honor cords or pins (at the student's expense). 
• Stoles purchased (at the student's expense) or received through student organizations should be worn in moderation. 

Rehearsal
Rehearsal is not necessary for these ceremonies as you will be guided the entire time by UMSL Staff and Faculty.

Arrival

• Doors will open 90 minutes before your ceremony's scheduled start time. You can arrive any time after this.  Please arrive with enough time to check in and get lined up appropriately. 

Upon arrival, follow this procedure:

Robing and Assembly   (Mark Twain Building)

• Hold onto your white walking card until you present it at the stage. This is how your name is announced.
• Write your non-UMSL email at the bottom of the white walking card.

2. Line-up: Line up according to the number on your walking card.

Order of Ceremony

• Procession
• Singing of the National Anthem
• Welcome and introductions
• Conferring of honorary degrees (if awarded)
• Speaker 
• Conferring of academic degrees
• Alumni greetings
• Recession

Recession:

Aisle marshals will direct the recession back. Please file out of the gymnasium as quickly as possible to allow event staff to prepare for the next ceremony. Graduates will return directly to the robing area without passing through the lobby. You can pick up your items from coat check then meet your guests in the lobby or outside. 

Arrival

• The Mark Twain Building will open 90 minutes before the start of each ceremony. Graduates and guests: please do not arrive before that time.

Graduate Rules of Conduct

• Possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.
• No chewing of gum or candy.
• The use of electrical appliances such as irons and curling irons will NOT be allowed.
• Leave all purses, bags, jackets, and additional articles with your guests or at coat check.
• No guests are allowed in the Graduate Hallway, Robing Rooms, or lower track.
• No flowers are to be carried during the ceremony.
• No excessive decorations on caps or gowns that would be deemed inappropriate or distracting. No 3D designs, lights or décor; elements used in the design must lay flat to the mortarboard board and not hang over the edge. Nothing should be on the skull-cap portion of the cap. Note: The university reserves the right to require you to remove any embellishment deemed inappropriate by authorized university officials before you are permitted to participate in the ceremony.

Students 
Please inform the Coordinator of Disability Access Services immediately of any special arrangements that will enable you to participate fully in the commencement exercises by calling (314) 516-6554.

Guests 
Accessible guest seating is available on a first-come basis.

Shuttles
Shuttles will be running from the parking area to the front entrance of the Mark Twain Building.

*Interpreting services will be available for each ceremony. Interpreters will be located in front of the ramp on stage right. See map for location.