Commencement

Graduation

The Office of the University Registrar oversees graduation and degree conferral, while Commencement is the ceremony in which we celebrate graduation. 

For inquiries about graduation or the Tulane School of Social Work School Ceremony, email tsswgraduation@tulane.edu. 

 

All students should submit their online graduation applications via Gibson during the semester that they intend to graduate. The information you submit on this form will be reflected on your diploma. If you don’t see the link, contact your Academic Advisor and Program Director.

Learn More About Applying for Graduation

"Graduation App Rcvd Reg Hold" is added to your record when we receive your graduation application. The hold prevents registration for future terms beyond the graduation date. If you've been admitted to a new program, contact your new program’s office to have the hold removed so that you can register.

You will receive your diploma 4-6 weeks after conferral. All diplomas are mailed to the address provided on your graduation application. Please be sure to choose an address where you will be able to receive your diploma within this timeframe.

Students can have their chosen name display on their diploma as long as the chosen name is on their student record. The name you use on your Graduation Application through Gibson will be the name shown on your diploma.

You may order duplicate diplomas online for a $50 fee. Duplicate diplomas are exactly like original diplomas with the exception of the word “duplicate” printed at the top, which can be covered by most framing. Notarized and Apostilled options are also available online.

Learn More About Diplomas

Students will retain access to their tulane.edu email accounts for life. We ask that students continue to check this account leading up to commencement, even if they have already completed their coursework.

We are happy to provide a letter verifying good standing, degree verification, field education/practicum verification, or a provisional letter stating pending completion of a graduate program. In order to request such a letter, please complete this form.

Some employers or professional organizations may ask for course syllabi. While we aim to keep syllabi on file, we encourage students to download their course syllabi before graduation, as they will lose access to Canvas once degrees have been conferred. 

Graduates do not automatically receive a final transcript. You can pick up one copy of your transcript in-person in the Registrar’s Office for free, or you can order online for a fee. Your legal name will appear on your transcript.

If you order your transcript before the degree is conferred and would like for the transcript to reflect your degree, you must indicate that on your transcript order.

Order a Transcript

Commencement Ceremony

The information below is related to Tulane School of Social Work's 2025 School Ceremony, which includes a hooding for Doctor of Social Work (DSW) students.

Students may also choose to participate in Tulane's Unified Commencement Ceremony, held Saturday, May 17, at 6 p.m. at Caesars Superdome. 

The Unified Commencement Ceremony is overseen by the Commencement Office. For information about the Unified Commencement Ceremony, visit Tulane Commencement, check the Unified Commencement FAQs, or contact them directly at tugrad@tulane.edu. 

 

The TSSW graduation survey is currently closed.

The results of this survey inform student and audience member accommodations, spelling of names for the ceremony program, and attendance approximations. 

Saturday, May 17, 2025

Ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 11:30 a.m.

Doors open at 9 a.m. for graduating students

All graduating students must be at the venue by no later than 9:30 a.m.

Doors open at 9 a.m. for guests

Dixon Concert Hall

Newcomb Circle, New Orleans, LA 70118

The ceremony will be ticketless. The ceremony will also be available via YouTube livestream.

 

Our ceremony is designed to be as streamlined as possible for the student. For this reason, we do not host a Graduation Rehearsal.

Announcements, invitations, diploma frames, and school rings may be purchased from Balfour or the campus bookstore. If you need additional information, please email or call the Tulane bookstore at (504) 865-5913.

Caps, gowns, and hoods may be purchased or rented from Oak Hall. The lead time for the fine-quality regalia to be sewn, shipped and delivered is 9 weeks. We recommend you order as soon as you can, but no later than April 6 for Master's students and no later than March 2 for doctoral students to ensure timely delivery. If you need additional information, please email or call the Tulane bookstore at (504) 865-5913.

Students are welcome to decorate their caps, so long as the decoration is appropriate. Robe decoration is not permitted.

This year's ceremony will be ticketless for in-person ceremony audience members.

The ceremony will be livestreamed via YouTube for those unable to attend in person. No limits are set on number of online audience members.

TSSW School Ceremony Frequently Asked Questions (Graduates)

 

Students in all TSSW academic programs who plan to successfully meet degree requirements for the Spring or Summer 2025 term will have the option to walk at the ceremony. 

Students who plan to successfully meet degree requirements for the Fall 2025 term will walk in the May 2026 ceremony.

No. The TSSW Commencement Ceremony will include hooding for doctoral candidates.

Tulane encourages graduates’ personal expressions of creativity in the decoration of their caps. Graduates are permitted to wear stoles and honor cords earned through University Honors, official university-recognized organizations, U.S. military service (veterans who attain the prescribed academic achievement earn special cords), or purchased at the Tulane Bookstore. Personal stoles, cords, and robe decorating are not permitted.

United Airlines and Southwest Airlines provide Tulane travelers with additional benefits for Commencement travel.

Southwest Airlines is pleased to offer Tulane Spring Commencement attendees discounted fares. To utilize the discount, book via SWABIZ®. Discount valid for travel 5/12/2025 to 5/20/2025. 

To make flight reservations online with United Airlines, please use discount promotion code ZQKB989379. Booking fees are waived for these reservations. MileagePlus members earn valuable miles for their travel when using the Meetings discount code. You may also call the United Meetings Reservation Desk Monday through Friday at 800-426-1122 for booking assistance (fees are waived). International customers may contact their local United Reservation Desk.

Hotel and bed and breakfast partners around the city offer discounted rates to Tulanians, including parents, alumni, guests and visitors. A self-booking tool is available for each hotel on its page.* 

 

*A percentage of each booking goes to support Tulane University programs and initiatives.

Doors open at 9 a.m. Dressing rooms will be available for graduates who want to get ready, change into their regalia, etc. Graduating students must be at Dixon Hall by 9:30.

Graduates and their guests can park in any of Tulane University and Loyola University New Orleans' lots or garages for free during the week of commencement. Surface lot spaces are limited and will fill quickly. Be prepared to walk from a parking garage to Dixon Hall. Drivers are welcome to drop off graduates or guests with mobility concerns in front of Dixon Hall before parking.

The closest garage is Loyola's Recreational Sports Complex/Freret Street Parking Garage.

Students and families are also free to park in Tulane's Diboll Garage. 

Other schools will be hosting graduation ceremonies and events during the TSSW commencement. For that reason, we strongly encourage graduates and their guests to arrive early to secure parking and walk to Dixon Hall.

The ceremony will last roughly an hour and a half, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Unfortunately, Tulane School of Social Work will not host a reception following the ceremony, but students are free to gather and celebrate themselves. 

The University hosts an array of commencement-related events in the three days surrounding commencement. Students may view the University schedule of events for additional celebrations.

No, but don't let that scare you. Faculty and staff will guide you to your seat and help graduates with timing day-of.

You'll get your diploma in the mail 4-6 weeks after your degree is conferred. 

Yes. To view the recording after the ceremony is over, visit TSSW's YouTube channel.

TSSW School Ceremony Frequently Asked Questions (Guests)

 

United Airlines and Southwest Airlines provide Tulane travelers with additional benefits for Commencement travel.

Southwest Airlines is pleased to offer Tulane Spring Commencement attendees discounted fares. To utilize the discount, book via SWABIZ®. Discount valid for travel 5/12/2025 to 5/20/2025. 

To make flight reservations online with United Airlines, please use discount promotion code ZQKB989379. Booking fees are waived for these reservations. MileagePlus members earn valuable miles for their travel when using the Meetings discount code. You may also call the United Meetings Reservation Desk Monday through Friday at 800-426-1122 for booking assistance (fees are waived). International customers may contact their local United Reservation Desk.

Hotel and bed and breakfast partners around the city offer discounted rates to Tulanians, including parents, alumni, guests and visitors. A self-booking tool is available for each hotel on its page.* 

 

*A percentage of each booking goes to support Tulane University programs and initiatives.

Doors open at 9 a.m.

Graduates and their guests can park in any of Tulane University and Loyola University New Orleans' lots or garages for free during the week of commencement. Surface lot spaces are limited and will fill quickly. Be prepared to walk from a parking garage to Dixon Hall. Drivers are welcome to drop off graduates or guests with mobility concerns in front of Dixon Hall before parking.

The closest garage is Loyola's Recreational Sports Complex/Freret Street Parking Garage.

Students and families are also free to park in Tulane's Diboll Garage. 

Other schools will be hosting graduation ceremonies and events during the TSSW commencement. For that reason, we strongly encourage graduates and their guests to arrive early to secure parking and walk to Dixon Hall.

Guests should enter through the main entrance. If you require accommodation such as wheelchair access or hearing-accessible seating, please seek out a Tulane School of Social Work staff member to find the appropriate seat.

If you require accommodations, please seek out a Tulane School of Social Work staff member when you arrive at the ceremony to find the appropriate seat.

We adhere to a clear bag policy. Permitted bags include: 

Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags not exceeding 12” x 6” x 12”. 

One-gallon clear plastic bags (e.g., Ziploc). 

Small clutch bags no larger than 4.5” x 6.5”, with or without a strap. 

Diaper bags that comply with the NFL's clear bag policy are permitted. Exceptions will be made for medically necessary items after inspection.

Flags, banners, or signs of any size or type are not permitted into the ceremony. 

Outside food and beverages, including alcohol, are not permitted into the ceremony unless medically necessary.

The ceremony will last roughly an hour and a half, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Yes. Guests may watch the livestream on this page. To view the recording after the ceremony is over, visit TSSW's YouTube channel.

Watch the 2024 Ceremony

Take the Next Step!

For more details about graduate programs through Tulane School of Social Work, complete our information request form. If you're ready to take the next step, apply today!

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