Information for Graduates

Carlson School of Management Commencement is held once each year (in May) for all fall, spring, and summer doctoral, master’s, and undergraduate graduates. 
During March you will receive an invitation from Marching Order to RSVP to your Spring Commencement Ceremony if you:

• You graduated with a Carlson School of Management degree in Summer 2023 or Fall 2023 
• By the time the RSVP system opens in March, you have an Expected Graduation Term (EGT) in MyU of Spring 2024, May Term 2024, or Summer 2024. (See the One Stop Graduation webpage for how to apply for graduation.)

• Doctoral and master’s 9 a.m.
• Undergraduate 1 p.m.

Carlson School commencement ceremonies are not ticketed and there is no limit to the number of guests our graduates invite to attend.

All seating is general admission (first-come, first-served), and specific seats and/or consecutive seats are not guaranteed. Accessible seating is limited.

Please note that your ceremony will be broadcast live for remote viewing.

Yes, a link to the live webcast will be added prominently to this webpage on the day of the ceremony.

Typically, each ceremony takes between two and 2.5 hours. The ceremony includes a procession of faculty, students, regents, and other guests, a commencement address, and the presentation of degree candidates. All degree candidates cross the stage as their names are called.

Although we don’t require graduates to wear regalia (a cap and gown), it is strongly encouraged. 99% of all Carlson School of Management graduates do wear a cap and gown. You can buy a graduation cap and gown at UMN Bookstores, located in Coffman Union or online.

Undergraduate students who meet a specific GPA or Honors Program threshold may receive special recognition.

If, at the end of fall semester, you have a minimum GPA of 3.75, you’ll receive the “distinction” recognition. If your GPA is 3.9 or higher, you’ll receive “high distinction” recognition. Both distinctions receive a special cord to wear at commencement. You will receive an email from the Carlson School Undergraduate Program with instructions for picking up your cord during late April/early May. Please note you will only be issued one set of cords, and it is your responsibility to bring it to wear it to the ceremony.

If you are in the University Honors Program (UHP) and will graduate with Latin honors, UHP will contact you with details about the medallion ceremony that is held prior to commencement.

Graduate students should check with their program offices about where/when to pick up their honors cord.

All guests are encouraged to park in lots recommended on the 3M Arena at Mariucci webpage.
This is a printable map showing the entire East Bank campus, including parking areas. This is an online map for the 3M Arena at Mariucci and surrounding areas.

Parking in each of the lots or ramps will be $10/car.

Yes. Persons with accessibility needs can be dropped off at the ground-level entrance on the northeast corner of the 3M Arena at Mariucci (access to this area is located between 5th and Oak Streets). Parking is not allowed in the transitway, but drivers with state-issued disability permits may park in designated spaces in nearby parking facilities, such as Lot 37.

Once inside, there is an elevator to the seating level, with wheelchair seating areas and seats (top row) that do not require the use of stairs. The arena has adapted restrooms. Both ceremonies are live streamed and closed captioned on giant monitors in the arena.

If you have additional questions or if you would like to request an ASL interpreter, email cscommencement@umn.edu at least two weeks before the commencement ceremony.

Guests can arrive up to 60 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. (If they arrive earlier, the doors may be locked because we are prepping for the ceremony.)

Yes. For example, balloons are NOT allowed in the arena. (No exceptions, due to fire codes.)

Your guests are welcome to bring flowers, and flowers will also be available for purchase in the lobby of the arena.

See the 3M at Mariucci Arena Policies & General Procedures for prohibited items and the bag policy. There are no camera restrictions for commencement ceremonies (the camera policy only applies to sporting events). 

No. If you must bring a purse, backpack, coat, or other personal items, please leave them with your guest(s) in the audience. 

Register as a participant in Carlson School of Management Commencement ceremonies by April 20. Students are not able to register for commencement after April 20.

Students will receive an email in March that will ask them to RSVP for the commencement ceremonies.

No, they are different processes. The application for degree is automatically done based on the Expected Graduation Term (EGT) noted in your MyU account. For this reason, it is very important that your EGT is correct. If your EGT is incorrect, please email your Carlson School Academic Advisor with your correct EGT so it can be updated.

No. This is not at ticketed event for spectators.

Yes. During the RSVP process you will have the opportunity to record your name for professional readers to reference the pronunciation. At the ceremony, you will scan a printed or electronic name card just before you cross the stage, so your name can be announced.

No. Because the majority of students who attend commencement have not completed their degree requirements by the ceremony date, an empty diploma cover is handed to you as you cross the stage. This is standard practice at university graduation ceremonies.

Your diploma will be mailed to you 6 to 8 weeks after the commencement ceremony. It is up to you to make sure your diploma is mailed to the correct address. Your diploma will be mailed to the diploma address that appears in MyU: My Info.

By default, your diploma will be printed with your primary/legal name, the degree you earned, the confer date, and honors earned (if applicable). If you want to change the name on your diploma you can update your degree name. Your diploma lists only your degree. (Your major, minor and GPA are only listed on your official transcript, not on your diploma.)

Yes, we have made arrangements with a professional photographer to take three pictures of each student: one as you wait to ascend the stage, one on stage with your diploma cover in hand, and one after you exit the stage.

The photographer will contact you directly when the photo proofs are available to view. There is no obligation to purchase photos.