Grad Instructions
Commencement Ceremonies
📅 April 27 – May 1
📍 FIU Convocation Center
Graduate Entry & Commencement Pass
🎓 Entry Location: Gate 4 (Student Entrance) – Follow the floor decals.
📌 Required: Commencement Pass for entry and to cross the stage.
Your Commencement Pass contains a barcode that must be clearly legible for our system to display your name on the large screens. Please handle it with care.
🚨 Didn't pick up your pass at the Commencement Fair?
- Report to Gate 4 at least one hour before your ceremony.
- Have your Panther ID ready.
Doctoral Candidates and Hooding Policy
Doctoral candidates must enter through Gate 4 and proceed to the Doctoral Candidate Robing Room.
At Florida International University, only certain doctoral candidates participate in the hooding portion of the commencement ceremony. This applies exclusively to graduates earning the following degrees: Ph.D., Ed.D., DBA, M.D., and J.D.
Professional doctoral candidates, including those earning D.N.P., D.P.T., D.A.T., and D.Des, do not participate in the hooding portion of the commencement ceremony. However, they are still recognized on stage for graduating with professional doctorate degree.
Doctoral candidates are hooded by their college dean and the provost, while being accompanied by their major professor. As per FIU policy, family members and other guests are not permitted on stage during the ceremony.
Regalia
🎓 Cap & Gown Sales: Available inside Gate 4.
📌 FIU-branded regalia is required. Altered cap & gowns will not be allowed.
Entry & Seating
Doors will temporarily close at the start of the ceremony for organizational purposes.
Once the platform party has entered and the National Anthem & Alma Mater have been performed, doors will reopen, and we will immediately seat graduates and ticketed guests.
We look forward to celebrating this special milestone with you! 🎓
The Commencement Team