Frequently Asked Questions

Commencement is a celebratory ceremony that honors students who have completed degree requirements. It’s an OPTIONAL formal event where graduates wear academic regalia and are recognized for their achievements in front of family, friends, and the FIU community.

No. Graduation is the official awarding of your degree once all academic requirements are met. Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates that achievement. Participation in commencement does not confirm degree completion.

FIU holds commencement ceremonies three times each year — at the end of the Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters, typically right after Finals Week. Exact dates, times, and ceremony assignments are published online each term. Click HERE to view tentative future dates. 

All ceremonies are held at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center ( 1180 SW 113th Ave Miami, FL 33174) on the Modesto Maidique Campus (MMC) in Miami, Florida.

Students who have:

• Applied for graduation by the university deadline
• Completed — or are on track to complete — all academic requirements
• Been approved for graduation by the Registrar

Only students with approval may register for commencement.

Registration is completed through MyFIU during the official registration window. Registration includes selecting a ceremony, purchasing guest tickets, and receiving your commencement pass. Registration Dates can be found HERE.

Applying for graduation confirms your academic eligibility to complete degree requirements.

Registering for commencement allows you to participate in the ceremony.

These are two separate steps.

Students are not permitted to participate in commencement before officially graduating. If you have not completed all graduation requirements by the deadline, you are not eligible to walk in that semester’s ceremony, no exceptions.

However, students may walk later. Once you officially graduate, you are eligible to participate in commencement for up to two (2) consecutive semesters after your graduation term.

The Commencement Pass is a required physical pass that allows you to:

• Enter the ceremony
• Walk across the stage, and have your name called

You must bring your Commencement Pass on the day of your ceremony. This can only be obtained by attending a Commencement Fair.

It is issued after you register for commencement and picked up during a commencement fair.

Each graduate may purchase up to four (4) guest tickets during registration ($15 each). Tickets are required for all attendees — including infants and toddlers.

There are no complimentary tickets.

Additional tickets are not guaranteed.

If the ceremony is sold out, no additional tickets will be available on the day of the event.

If the ceremony is not sold out, the box office will sell a limited number of additional tickets on a first‑come, first‑served basis for those already registered. Tickets are $15 each, and must be purchased with CASH ONLY.

IF available, additional tickets may be purchased up to 90 minutes before the start of each ceremony.

Family and friends can watch the ceremony live online via FIU’s official commencement webcast: webcast.fiu.edu

Yes. All guests, including children of any age, require a ticket for entry.

The Commencement Fair is a one-stop shop to help graduates get ready for their ceremony:

• Pick up Commencement Pass (required for ceremony entry)
• Purchase regalia and graduation gear
• Take a free professional graduation portrait
• Connect with FIU Alumni

Tickets are NOT sold at the Commencement Fairs.

Commencement Fairs are held on FIU’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus (MMC - Barnes & Noble), Biscayne Bay Campus (BBC - Wolfe University Center), and FIU at I-75 Campus (3rd Floor Lobby).

You may attend any of the available fair dates or locations. If you cannot attend in person, a representative may pick up your items with proper authorization and a signed note. For the assigned authorization letter template, please visit HERE. However, you are strongly encouraged to attend if possible, so that you can ensure you have your Commencement Pass and grad gear.

Yes. Regalia can be ordered through FIU’s official bookstore vendor online if you prefer to purchase it ahead of time. Just note there is a deadline to order online regalia. You may visit the Grad Gear page for more info. FIU cap and gown ordering websites are now live HERE.

Graduates should arrive at least 60 minutes before their ceremony start time.

Ceremonies generally run 1 to 2 hours, depending on the number of graduates and ceremony flow.

No. Graduates must participate in the ceremony assigned to their college and degree level.

For a full list of what is and isn’t allowed inside the venue, please visit our Commencement Policies & Security page.

Graduate seating is assigned by college. Guest seating is general admission. All seating requires a ticket.

Yes. Doctoral candidates receive additional instructions for hooding, robing location, and procession order. These details are communicated in advance of the ceremony by their program director.

FIU provides:

• Wheelchair-accessible seating
• Reserved companion seating
• Sign language interpreters (requested in advance)
• Other supports as requested

Should you need an ADA accommodation to participate in a university event, program, or activity or need to request materials in an accessible format, please contact FIU’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) at 305-348-2785 or accommodations@fiu.edu. All requests for ADA accommodations or accessible materials for this event must be submitted to OCR at least seven (7) business days prior to the event or at the earliest possible opportunity.

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) protects student records. If a student has a FERPA restriction, their name may not appear in printed programs or digital displays unless the restriction is removed.

Diplomas are mailed by the Registrar’s Office after all degree requirements are verified. Diplomas are not distributed at the ceremony. Diplomas are typically mailed within 8 to 12 weeks after final grades are posted, assuming there are no outstanding financial obligations or holds on your account.

You may visit the OneStop website for more information.