Information for Graduate and Professional Students

Diplomas

Your registrar will seek confirmation of the listing of your name. Corrections must be received by your registrar no later than April 10.

Diplomas for Law School candidates become available after Commencement and must be mailed. All Law School candidates should submit a mailing address by March 30. Candidates from other schools who wish to have their diplomas mailed should submit by March 30 a diploma mailing address valid after June 1 by visiting the Student Information Systems website.

Commencement Protocol

When you reach your designated seats on Old Campus, sit immediately. Rise and after your dean says the following: “I have the honor to present candidates for the degree of (name), xxx in number.” When all candidates for your degree are standing, the president confers degrees “as designated by the dean”; and student marshals go forward to accept symbolic diplomas. As they return to their places, sit down. After the benediction, stand until the president, members of the Yale Corporation, and honorary degree recipients have left the platform. Follow your marshals back to your school, or to a place designated by your dean, to receive your diploma.

Academic attire should be worn over appropriate dark clothing. Please refrain from taking pictures during the procession.