Commencement for the Class of 2026

Congratulations to all HGSE Candidates for graduation!

We look forward to celebrating all of the graduates of the Class of 2026. These pages are intended to provide graduates with the most up-to-date information related to the various Commencement ceremonies. These pages will be updated throughout the year as more information is confirmed. Questions about Commencement for the Class of 2026 should be directed to commencement@gse.harvard.edu.

Celebration Dates and Descriptions

Celebration Dates and Descriptions

View the Commencement Information Session that was hosted by the Office of Student Affairs on Monday, March 23rd.

All dates are subject to change.

Thursday, April 23

New Graduates Fair

11:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. ET

This is an exclusive event for you, the Class of 2026, to learn more about the many services, benefits, and programs available to you as an HGSE alum at the New Graduates Fair! Offices from across HGSE and Harvard will participate to share their resources with you. Refreshments will be served and music will be playing! We hope you will join us for this day of celebration, which is just one of many events for you, our soon-to-be graduates! Questions? Email alumserv@gse.harvard.edu.

Location: Gutman Conference Center

Tuesday, May 26

Reception for Graduating HGSE International Students

10 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET

Graduates and their friends and family are invited to celebrate the accomplishments of the international students from the Class of 2026.

Location: Gutman Conference Center

Wednesday, May 27

HGSE Ph.D. Robing Ceremony

9 - 11 a.m. ET

This ceremony will feature faculty advisors providing remarks about each individual graduating student.

Location: Askwith Hall

View the livestream

HGSE Graduating Doctoral Student Brunch

11 a.m. - 1 p.m. ET

An opportunity for all graduating doctoral students to celebrate their accomplishments with friends and family.

Location: Radcliffe Yard

Ed.L.D. Commencement Celebration

1 - 3 p.m. ET

This ceremony will feature faculty advisors/student mentors providing remarks about each individual graduating student.

Location: Askwith Hall

View the livestream

Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) Cording Ceremony

1 - 3 p.m. ET

An opportunity for all graduating Certificate of Advanced Study students to be individually recognized.

Location: Eliot Lyman Room, Longfellow Hall, 2nd Floor

HGSE Convocation

3:30 - 5 p.m. ET (No ticket required)

Dean Nonie Lesaux welcomes all graduates and guests and introduces the afternoon's speakers. Remarks are provided by the HGSE Student Speakers, the HGSE Faculty Speaker, and the HGSE Guest Speaker, Mychal Threets. Commencement Marshals are recognized, as well as the recipients of the Phyllis Strimling Award, and The Appian Award. The Morningstar Family Teaching Award will be presented. All HGSE graduates and invited guests are welcome to attend.

Location: Radcliffe Yard

HGSE Block Party

5 - 7 p.m. ET

An HGSE community celebration featuring music, food, and more! All HGSE graduates are welcome to invite family members and guests.

Location: Appian Way

Thursday, May 28

University Morning Exercises

9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ET *This is a ticketed event*

The deans of each school introduce their graduates as a class and President Garber confers degrees upon the class as a whole. *Please note: graduates will not be awarded their diplomas here. Exercises include the traditional commencement speeches and orations. Harvard University honorary degrees are awarded. This event will include remarks from the principal Commencement speaker, Conan O'Brien.

Location: Tercentenary Theater, Harvard Yard

HGSE Presentation of Diplomas and Certificates

1 - 3:30 p.m. ET *This is a ticketed event*

HGSE diplomas and certificates are awarded to all graduates (both doctoral and masters) on stage in Radcliffe Yard. Dean Lesaux will speak; graduates will be individually presented with degrees and will walk across the stage.

Location: Radcliffe Yard

Celebrating Our Graduates

At University Commencement and HGSE Commencement Week events, we celebrate the hard work and achievements of our students and the support of their families, faculty, and staff. These special occasions bring thousands of guests to campus to honor our graduates. As you participate in these joyous events, please be mindful of our shared rights and responsibilities and our expectation that every graduate be able to both celebrate and be celebrated for their accomplishments.

Please note that University policies (University Statement on Rights and Responsibilities) and (Campus Use Rules) prohibiting disruption or interference with the normal functioning of University activities apply fully to all Commencement Week events and attendees. During these events, activity that impedes the general flow of an event or significantly impairs the ability of attendees to hear or view the proceedings—for example, extended chanting or signage that obstructs views—will be considered disruptive under these policies and therefore subject to review and potential sanctions.

As in past years, graduates are welcome to express themselves through personal attire, including stoles, pins, decorated tams or mortarboards, and other cloth items that can be worn or draped on their person. However, at the Thursday diploma ceremony, graduates may not carry any additional item, object, or prop onto or across the stage. Graduates with young children may be accompanied by them across the stage.

For additional information related to Policies and Degree Conferral, review the University Commencement website.