All-University Commencement

All-University Commencement for the Class of 2026 will take place on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. ET at Yankee Stadium.

On this Page: Graduate Checklist | Eligibility | Order of Exercises | Media Release

Graduate Checklist

Candidates are required to take specific steps to receive an All-University Commencement invitation and attend the ceremony. Complete the following steps to celebrate your graduation with us!

Please note that the All-University Commencement ceremony is only held in the spring. There is no university-wide ceremony for winter graduates.

All candidates must apply to graduate to receive an All-University Commencement invitation. The application will initiate a review of your degree requirements.

Graduation application deadlines:

  • January 2026 graduation application: closed on October 15, 2025
  • May 2026 graduation application: closed on February 15, 2026
  • August 2026 graduation application: Candidates wishing to receive a Commencement invitation are required to enroll in summer courses and submit their graduation application early (by April 17, 2026).

Visit the Applying for Graduation page for details.

Tickets are required to attend All-University Commencement. Candidates are not automatically granted tickets, and no one will be allowed into the ceremony without a ticket.

The deadline to order All-University Commencement tickets was Wednesday, April 22, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

All candidates and graduates must wear a cap and gown to attend Commencement. The last day to order keepsake attire for home shipping or on-campus pickup was Friday, April 10. Online ordering is no longer available.

If you did not place an online order for academic attire, you can purchase it in person at the Kimmel Center from Friday, May 8, to Wednesday, May 13 (excluding Sunday, May 10). See the on-campus distribution schedule.

  • Know Before You Go

    Everything you and your guests should know to attend Commencement at Yankee Stadium.

    Commencement Day Guide

  • Information for Families and Guests

    A page dedicated to families and guests planning a trip to New York City to attend the All-University Commencement.

    Families and Guests

Eligibility

All-University Commencement participation is available to candidates earning credit-bearing degrees for the current academic year. The recognition of advanced certificates at Commencement is determined by each school.

The May 2026 All-University Commencement ceremony will include:

  1. Fall 2025/January 2026 graduates: Those who have earned degrees or advanced certificates of study in January 2026 and applied for graduation by October 15, 2025.
  2. May 2026 candidates: Those who are candidates for a degree or advanced certificate of study in May 2026 and applied for graduation by February 15, 2026.
  3. August 2026 candidates: Those who are candidates for a degree or advanced certificate of study in August 2026, enrolled in summer coursework, and applied early for graduation by April 17, 2026. August 2026 candidates will not be invited to the May 2027 Commencement ceremony.
Learn More About Applying for Graduation

NYU Stern BS/MS in Accounting candidates completing their program in August 2026 will be invited to Stern's Undergraduate Baccalaureate ceremony and All-University Commencement in May 2026. Candidates will also be invited to Stern's Graduate Convocation ceremony in May 2027.

© Myaskovsky: Courtesy of the NYU Photo Bureau

Order of Exercises

The Commencement Exercises include remarks by university leadership, a student speaker, the awarding of honorary degrees to several distinguished individuals, the conferring of degrees to students, and the passing of the university torch, among other elements.

It is not possible to recognize each individual student by name at the All-University Commencement. Deans introduce each class as a whole and a student representative from the school, who was selected in advance, receives a symbolic diploma on behalf of their classmates.

Schedule

9:00 a.m.: Gates open for candidates and guests
11:00 a.m.: Faculty and platform party processions, followed by the ceremony
1:00 p.m.: Ceremony concludes (approx.)

Please be aware that by attending New York University’s All-University Commencement Exercises, you consent to your voice, name, and/or likeness being used, without compensation, in films, tapes, and photography, and you release New York University from any liability on account of such use.