Tufts University School of Medicine

Information for Medical/GSBS Graduates

Phase II Ceremony for Medical School and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) programs: MD, MD/MA, MD/MBA, MD/MPH, MD/PhD, PhD, and GSBS MS.

Commencement Tickets

Graduates can invite an unlimited number of guests to the Commencement ceremony (Phase I and II), and no tickets or invitations are necessary. 

Caps and Gowns

Participants in the Commencement ceremony are attired in academic regalia. Caps and gowns have been ordered for all graduates and will be distributed in May. Remember to bring your cap and gown with you to the Medford Campus on Commencement Day.

Arrival Time

Graduates attending the Phase I and Phase II ceremonies should report to Miner Hall, Room 112 promptly at 8:30 am for robing. At the conclusion of the Phase I ceremony, staff will direct graduates and faculty to the Gantcher Center.

Graduates attending the Phase II Medical/GSBS ceremony should report to the Gantcher Center and be ready to line up in Procession order by 11:00 am.

Phase II Details

See below for Phase II Medical/GSBS Procession, Diploma Presentation and Hooding Details

Photographs and Videos

The Medical/Graduate School has arranged for photographs to be taken of each graduate at the ceremony. Detailed information about ordering photos and videos will be sent directly from the production company. Contact GradImages, https://www.gradimages.com/ for more information.

  • Pre-Ceremony (Sunday Morning)

    • Students should arrive in the Gantcher center by 10:30 am and go directly to the Commencement Card Table to pick up their personalized card listing Procession Order and Diploma Announcement Name.
    • Students will have the opportunity to dress in their cap and gown in the designated Robing area. (Reminder: there is no storage area for jackets, purses, luggage, etc.)
    • At approximately 11:00 am, students will begin to line-up in Procession order.(Guests are asked to take their seats and clear the isles.)
    • Keep your Commencement Cards with you!

    Procession

    • Students will walk in two rows and proceed down center aisle to their seats directly in front of the stage. Commencement Cards will note which side (left/right) and which row number you will be sitting in.
    • Turn into your row and proceed to the last available seat. (Staff will indicate which row you should enter.)
    • Students will have their name on their appropriate seat. If a classmate is missing, please leave that seat empty.

    Diploma Presentation and Hooding

    • Students will be asked to "rise and proceed to the stage" in a group according to degree to be received. (MD/MA, MD/MBA, MD/MPH, MD, MS, PhD, and MD/PhD)
    • Because of the size of the MD group, students will rise one row at a time. (Staff will indicate when your row should rise.)
    • When asked to rise, students will exit their row. Students will follow in line and walk behind a side curtain where MD and PhD students will be handed their hood.
    • Students will then proceed one at a time to the side steps of the stage. When directed, they will hand their Commencement Card to the announcer and their name will be read.
    • Students will proceed onto the stage to the faculty member who will be hooding graduates.
    • When you reach the faculty hooder, hand him/her your hood. Turn to face the audience and allow the faculty member to place the hood over your head. Once hooded, continue across the stage to the Dean.
    • For MD/MA, MD/MBA, and MD/MPH students, you will shake your Program Director's hand prior to receiving your degree from the Dean.
    • The Dean will hand you your diploma and shake your hand.
    • You will then pause with the Dean for a professional photograph and then exit the stage down the center steps.
    • At the bottom of the steps TURN RIGHT and walk around the students seating area to get back to your row. (Look for staff to help direct you.)

    Recession

    • Students will stand and proceed away from the stage area in the reverse order that they entered.