Details and FAQ

Students who have completed 122 credits (or 121 credits for transfer students) and all of their major and general education requirements will be eligible to participate in May's Commencement exercises. Students who have not completed their requirements or credits will be eligible to participate in a future Commencement. The Senior Class Dean can advise on eligibility inquiries. 

Use this checklist to confirm that you are on track to graduate.

The University Commencement ceremony celebrates those who are receiving their degrees from all Columbia schools in a given year including undergraduate and graduate programs, including Barnard. The University ceremony includes an academic procession and a speaking program that includes a keynote speaker. Barnard has a separate ceremony just for the College’s graduates, featuring an academic procession, the presentation of the Barnard Medal of Distinction, a keynote speech, and the reading of graduates’ names as they cross the stage. For more information on Columbia Commencement activities, visit Columbia University Commencement.

Yes! Eligible graduates will receive an email in the Spring semester with instructions on how to submit participation information via Marching Order, our online planning tool for Commencement registration.

Students participating in Barnard’s Commencement  will receive six (6) guest tickets to the ceremony at Radio City Music Hall. 

The College will facilitate a free ticket exchange later in the Spring semester so that graduates who do not need their allotted six tickets can return them to the College for distribution to others who wish to bring more than six guests. Students are encouraged to exchange tickets directly, at no charge, with other students as well.

Information about ticket distribution and the ticket exchange will be available later in the Spring semester.

Yes! As a graduating student, you must register online to participate in University Commencement and request guest tickets. All guests must have a ticket to attend the ceremony. 

For general information on the Columbia University 2023 Commencement Ceremony, please visit: https://commencement.columbia.edu

Students participating in the Columbia University Commencement are eligible to receive four (4) guest tickets to the University Commencement ceremony. Columbia manages ticketing for the University ceremony and Barnard is unable to facilitate additional guest tickets or a ticket exchange. 

The mandatory rehearsal for all graduating seniors who will participate in Barnard College Commencement will be held on Monday, May 15. More information about rehearsal will be communicated later in the semester.

Information on when and where students can pick up their caps and gowns will be shared in the Spring semester. Barnard does not charge students for their caps and gowns (which are to be worn at both the University and College ceremonies); however, all students must present a valid Barnard ID and appear on the list of eligible graduates. If you do not have your Barnard ID, please bring another form of photo identification with you. 

All diplomas will be mailed directly to degree recipients at the diploma address submitted with your graduation application. Diplomas are sent approximately 8 weeks after the degree is awarded.

Barnard diplomas are signed by both the Barnard College President and the Columbia University President and carry the official seals of both institutions.  The diploma lists the degree earned (Bachelor of Arts) and any Latin honors received (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, or cum laude). Majors, minors, and departmental graduation honors appear on the Barnard transcript but not on the diploma.
 

We anticipate the ceremony on Wednesday, May 17, will last approximately three hours. Please include traffic considerations when making post-ceremony plans.

Yes. The Barnard Commencement ceremony will be live streamed directly on the Commencement homepage. An archived video of the Barnard Commencement ceremony will be available for viewing shortly after the ceremony ends.

Transportation is available for graduating students only; guests will need to make their own way to Radio City Music Hall (located at 1260 Avenue of the Americas, also known as Sixth Avenue, between W. 50th Street and W. 51st Street). 

There is no storage on Barnard’s campus for students’ or guests’ personal belongings during the Barnard ceremony, nor is there storage at Columbia or Radio City Music Hall. At Radio City Music Hall, bags must fit comfortably under guests’ seats, and oversized bags larger than 22” x 14” x 9” are prohibited. Radio City Music Hall does not provide an area to check bags, coats or any other personal belongings.

• Barnard’s Commencement planning team partners with The Center for Accessibility Resources & Disability Services (CARDS) around disability/accessibility support for the College’s Commencement events.

• Both the Barnard campus receptions and the ceremony at Radio City Music Hall are wheelchair accessible. Students and guests who have mobility concerns or may need other accommodations supported by CARDS should email both cards@barnard.edu and commencement@barnard.edu in the same message with information about their needs by May 3.

• Radio City Music Hall ushers will allow early entry at 2:45 p.m. for guests with mobility needs. Ushers will be available to assist guests with locating appropriate seating. We strongly recommend that guests review the Radio City Music Hall policy for service and emotional support animals.

• Large Print Programs will be available to pick up from ushers at Radio City Music Hall. Sign Language Interpreters will be available. If you require Sign Language Interpretation for this event, please contact CARDS (cards@barnard.edu) by Friday, May 12th to reserve appropriate seating.

• Columbia University Commencement will also be accessible. Further information may be found here.

If any of your guests need to obtain a visa to attend Commencement, please fill out the linked form by clicking here.

Details on the Columbia University Multicultural Graduation ceremonies will be available later in the Spring semester. Visit Columbia Multicultural Graduation Ceremonies, for details on the ceremonies as they become available.