Dean Rice_Commencement May 2019

Commencement

Campuswide 2026 Commencement Ceremony

The University of Maryland commencement ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 in SECU Stadium for Summer 2025, Winter 2025 and Spring 2026 graduates. 

  • The University of Maryland Commencement ceremony lasted approximately 2.5 hours.
    • Additional information regarding the campus-wide ceremony, tickets, regalia and safety measures will be added to commencement.umd.edu as it becomes available.

 

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2026 College of Education Commencement Ceremony

The College of Education Commencement in-person ceremony is a combined ceremony for Undergraduates and Graduates. It will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. at the XFINITY Center.

Tickets

Tickets for family and friends are not required for the College of Education ceremony and there is no guest count limit. For questions concerning the College of Education Commencement, please contact us at college-of-ed-commencement@umd.edu.

Summer 2026 Graduates

For summer graduates (undergraduates and graduates) inquiring about spring commencement please fill out the early participation request form on the UMD Commencement page. 

Parking 

  • Parking is free on commencement day in most campus lots.
  • Parking is available in the lots surrounding the XFINITY Center, including Terrapin Trail Garage, lots 9b, XX1, 11b, RR2, and 4b.
  • Guests in wheelchairs and guests with limited mobility should park in Terrapin Trail Garage, and enter through Gate E. This is a fully accessible pathway.
  • When driving to XFINITY Center, you should enter campus at Route 193 and Paint Branch Drive or at Terrapin Trail Garage. Avoid the vehicle entrances on Baltimore Avenue.
  • Traffic on campus can be busy during commencement. Allow additional time to travel to campus.
  • Obey all campus parking and traffic signage and regulations.
  • Use the campus map to plan for parking.

Venue Entrances at XFINITY

  • Gates A-E are open to all guests and graduates.
  • Students should enter through the back door of Schanwald Pavilion (located to the left of Gate D doors).
  • Guests are encouraged to enter through Gates A, B and E.

Accessibility at XFINITY

  • Wheelchair-accessible seating is available in Sections 120 and 121 (3rd level concourse), 216, and 225.
  • Elevators near Section 217 provide access to all levels in XFINITY.
  • Seating for guests with limited mobility is available in fixed seating in and near Section 120.
  • Guests in wheelchairs and guests with limited mobility should park in Terrapin Trail Garage, and enter through Gate E. This is a fully accessible pathway to Sections 120 and 121.
  • Assistive listening devices and other accessibility services are available upon request.
  • American Sign Language interpretation is available upon request, and must be requested in advance of the ceremony by emailing  college-of-ed-commencement@umd.edu.
  • Captions will be shown on the central video board, which is visible from all seating sections.
  • Additional questions about accessibility, including seating, closed captioning and sign language, can be found on the venue’s accessibility page.

Student and Guest Bag Policy and Prohibited Items

  • Clear bags are not required, but strongly encouraged for faster entry. Adhering to UMD Athletics’ Clear Bag Policy is also encouraged.
  • Balloons, megaphones, noisemakers, poles and sticks are not permitted.
  • Personal signs are allowed. Please be mindful not to obstruct the views of other guests when holding your sign.
  • The XFINITY Center follows the Prohibited Items & Behavior policy outlined by UMD Athletics.

Commencement Live-Stream

The commencement ceremony will be live-streamed at www.youtube.com/@umdcollegeofeducationbeginning at 1:30 p.m.

Additional Information

To update your permanent address and for information on the University of Maryland’s main Commencement ceremony, visit commencement.umd.edu.