Congratulations, CHSS graduates! 

We look forward to seeing all of our graduates, their families, and friends at our upcoming celebrations! 

University Commencement

Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
EagleBank Arena

University Commencement is the official, university-wide graduation ceremony. Gregory Washington, President of George Mason University, will confer degrees for Spring graduates.

  • Spring doctoral candidates will be individually recognized and hooded during the Commencement Ceremony.
  • Bachelor's and Master's graduates will be recognized as a group when their major is called but will not cross the stage individually at this event. For individual recognition, all Bachelor's and Master's graduates will cross the stage during the CHSS Degree Celebration.

The university website provides additional information about Commencement and instructions for obtaining guest tickets. Guest tickets are required for all guests entering the arena for both University Commencement and the CHSS Degree Celebration.

Please note that tickets for the ceremonies are available at no charge and with no service fees through the official George Mason email link. This is the only authorized source for ceremony tickets. In the past, there have been reports of individuals attempting to sell tickets and charge service fees. This activity is unauthorized and potentially fraudulent. Please exercise caution and obtain tickets only through official university communications.

CHSS Degree Celebration

Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
EagleBank Arena

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences will host the CHSS Degree Celebration on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., in the EagleBank Arena, to honor our Bachelor's and Master's graduates. All Spring and Summer graduates are invited to attend.

During the ceremony, graduates will be individually recognized as their names are called and will be photographed as they cross the stage. The degree celebration will feature guest speakers, music provided by the Green Machine Pep Band, and participation by the GMU Army ROTC Color Guard.

Information for Guests 

All guests attending the Degree Celebration in EagleBank Arena are required to have a ticket. Please note that tickets for the CHSS Degree Celebration are available at no charge and with no service fees through the official George Mason email link. This is the only authorized source for tickets.

Guests must have access to their ticket for entry. Doors will open one hour prior to the start of the ceremony, and guests are strongly encouraged to arrive at that time. Guests enter on the South, West, or North Concourse level entrances.

Information for Grads

Grads should arrive one hour prior to the scheduled beginning of the CHSS Degree Celebration. Grads will need to provide their Tassel Stage Pass for check-in. Grad Passes are provided to each graduate through the Tassel ticketing portal.

If you and your guests choose to attend the CHSS Degree Celebration, please show respect to your fellow graduates and their families by remaining for the entire ceremony. If you or your guests are not able to stay for the entire ceremony, please watch the streaming broadcast online from a remote location or your home.

Regalia

Regalia - including caps, gowns, tassels, stoles, and cords- may be purchased in person during the Spring Grad Fair on March 3-5, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the JC Dewberry Hall.

Beginning March 6th, rental regalia will be available for purchase online until April 1. Faculty and Doctoral candidates may order rental regalia through April 10 or purchase regalia by March 15. Regalia will also be available for in-person purchase at the George Mason Bookstore through graduation. Students who are unable to purchase regalia on their own may apply for the Gowns to Grads program.

Please visit the University Website for additional information about regalia, announcements, diploma frames, and other graduation-related items.

Day of Instructions

Graduates should arrive by 1:00 p.m. at EagleBank Arena for the CHSS Degree Celebration.

Important: Please use the restroom before arriving at the arena, as there are limited facilities available outside or on the arena floor level.

Upon Arrival

  • Have your Tassel Stage Pass ready for check-in. Grad Passes are provided to each graduate through the Tassel ticketing portal.
  • Enter EagleBank Arena Parking Lot A, dressed in your cap and gown, and proceed through security and the check-in lines.
  • You will be seated with your degree major.
  • Complete a reader card with your name and include a phonetic spelling if needed to ensure proper pronunciation.

During the Ceremony

  • The ceremony will last approximately two hours.
  • Graduates will process across the stage by degree major, and their names will be announced.
  • At the conclusion of the Degree Celebration, the platform party and faculty will recess through the center aisle.
  • Following the recessional, the ceremony will officially conclude.
  • Graduates will be released by rows under the direction of the marshals. 

Share Your Mason Memories with CHSS

Are you graduating this Spring? Share photos of your favorite memories with us to be featured at the Spring 2026 Degree Celebration! Click here: Share your Mason Memories with CHSS!

Information for Everyone

Security

All individuals attending graduation ceremonies, including graduates, faculty, staff, and guests will be subject to security screening. 

EagleBank Arena is encouraging all guests and graduates to not bring a bag. If you require a bag for your personal belongings, EagleBank Arena has adopted a clear bag policy.  Please review the arena bag policy for more information.

Signs larger than 18 inches by 18 inches, including banners, flags, and posters, are prohibited. All signs smaller than 18 in. X 18 in. must comply with the university's guidelines (available on the University Graduation website). No signage will be allowed on stage.

Prohibited items at EagleBank Arena include metal or glass reusable water bottles, air horns, wrapped gifts or packages, non-collapsible umbrellas, etc. Items cannot be stored inside the arena. View all EagleBank Arena policies for additional information.

Directions and Maps

https://www.gmu.edu/campus-maps

Streaming Broadcast

You can watch Commencement and the CHSS Degree Celebration ceremonies from anywhere via the live streaming broadcast. Visit gmutv.gmu.edu.

Accessibility Needs

ASL Interpretation and Closed Captions will be provided at Commencement and the CHSS Degree Celebration.

For accessible parking and drop-off, please use the Roanoke River Road or Nottoway River Lane entrances of Braddock Road to access Lot A. ADA parking is located in Lot A.

Seating in all sections of EagleBank Arena, Rows E, F, and G, are marked reserved for special needs. These rows are on the concourse level and are easy access seating without requiring stairs. Ushers are stationed at each entrance portal to assist with seating. Guests requiring special assistance may be seated with one other guest from their party in these easy access rows. No advance notice is necessary to use this seating option, but allowing extra time for assistance is recommended. Wheelchair accessible seating is available in the four corner portals 4, 8, 13, and 17. Ushers are stationed at each portal to help with seating.

For questions or concerns, please send an email to the college's dean's office.

Questions about the College Degree Celebration?

Contact us at chss@gmu.edu.