Graduate Commencement: What to expect

May 10, 2025 | 6:00 p.m. | Cross Insurance Center

The Graduate School Commencement Ceremony will be held on May 10 at the Cross Insurance Center. This is not a ticketed event.

There is no rehearsal, be sure to follow staff instructions for line-up, marching, and hooding on the day of the ceremony. See below for additional instructions.

Guide to academic regalia

Please be sure that you have obtained the correct color hood for your degree from the Bookstore.

  • CAS/EdS (Education) – Light Blue
  • CAS (Nursing) – Golden Yellow
  • Doctor of Education – Light Blue
  • Doctor of Philosophy – Dark Blue
  • Master of Arts – White
  • Master of Arts in Teaching – White
  • Master of Business Administration – Drab
  • Master of Education – Light Blue
  • Master of Engineering – Orange
  • Master of Fine Arts – Dark Brown
  • Master of Forestry – Russet
  • Master of Music – Pink
  • Master of Professional Studies – Golden Yellow
  • Master of Science – Golden Yellow
  • Master of Science in Teaching – Golden Yellow
  • Master of Social Work – Citron
  • Master of Wildlife Conservation – Golden Yellow
  • Professional Science Master’s – Golden Yellow
questions? Email us
umaine bookstore website

Commencement Day

Graduate candidates must pre-register to participate in ceremonies. Refer to the graduate school’s main commencement webpage for additional information.

On May 10

Arrive at the Cross Insurance Center and enter through the Paul Bunyan entrance by 4:30 p.m. and check in with the Graduate Commencement staff to obtain your white reader card.

  • Bring or wear your cap and gown (regalia)
  • Bring the hood for your discipline with you
  • Drape the hood over your left arm
  • The tassels on your cap are to the left

The University is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

at line-up

  • Obtain your white reader card with your name, degree, and advisor
  • Master’s/CAS/EdS graduates will line up with their college
  • Doctoral candidates will line up with the other doctoral candidates

We begin marching at 5:50 p.m. Specific instructions about marching will be included here as they become available. If the ceremony has already begun, find an usher to escort you to a seat. Once the ceremony begins, University staff will indicate when to go on stage.

During the ceremony

  • University staff will indicate when to go on stage
  • Take the white reader card and your hood with you on stage, leaving your personal belongings and program at your seat
  • Hand the white reader card to the reader
  • Walk to the hooding area and present your hood
  • Proceed to pick up your diploma and then continue off stage
  • Return to your seat as directed by the university staff
  • Remain seated for the remainder of the ceremony out of courtesy to your fellow graduates

after the ceremony

The UMaine bookstore will be on site with memorabilia and gifts available for purchase, accepting cash and digital payments. The Cross Center concession stand will be open until 8:00 p.m., with a cashless payment system.