Graduate School Commencement

Overview - Spring 2025 Commencement and
Reception in the D.C. area

Graduating students in the D.C. area have the option to attend the university Commencement in Blacksburg, the university Commencement in the D.C. area, and their college ceremony (including the Granduate School ceremony) in Blacksburg. Students can choose to attend multiple ceremonies via Hokie Spa.

Master's degree graduates will be recognized at individual college ceremonies across main campus, in Blacksburg. View the Commencement Spring Schedule for details.

The Graduate School ceremony on May 14 at 3:00 p.m. in Blacksburg will recognize Ph.D. candidates and interdisciplinary graduate education programs. The ceremony will include: hooding, walking across the stage, and degree conferral.

Ceremony Details

Spring Schedule ↗

Commencement Website ↗

Deadlines

May 1, 2025 - Apply to Participate

All students planning to participate in a spring ceremony (including students from previous years, and those who graduated in the most recent summer or winter) please update your intention to participate in Commencement via: Hokie Spa —> Graduation Menu —> Graduate Student Degree Menu —> Notification of Commencement Attendance

April 21, 2025 - Order Regalia

The proper regalia is required to participate in Commencement, please order regalia via the Herff Jones website: https://colleges.herffjones.com/college/vt/

The last day to order your Cap and Gown online, without penalty, is Monday, April 21, 2025. Orders placed after this date may incur additional fees.

Order Official Virginia Tech Regalia

Ceremonies

No tickets are required for guests at the three official Commencements:

the University Commencement in Blacksburg,
Commencement in the D.C. area, or
the Graduate School Commencement in Blacksburg.

Tickets may be required for college ceremonies in Blacksburg. Please check with your college if you plan to attend a college ceremony in Blacksburg.

Commencement in the D.C. Area

When:
Sunday, May 18, 2025
1:00 p.m.

Where:
Center for the Arts
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
View on Google Maps

Graduate check-in begins: 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Graduates need to bring their Hokie passport or driver’s license for check in and make arrangements for personal belongings to be held with guests until after the ceremony.
All registered graduates will be able to participate in the commencement ceremony
There will be light refreshments immediately following the D.C. area Commencement ceremony in the lobby of the Center for the Arts.
Parking information will be available closer to the ceremony. Please check back in April.
If you have questions about the D.C. area Commencement that are not answered on this page, reach out to: dcgradschool@vt.edu.

Order Official Virginia Tech Regalia