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 2026 School Ceremony, which includes a hooding for Doctor of Social Work (DSW) students.

Students may also choose to participate in Tulane's 2026 Unified Commencement Ceremony, held Saturday, May 16, at 5 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. 

Friday, May 15, 2025

Ceremony begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 11:30 a.m.

Doors open for guests at 8 a.m.

Avron B. Fogelman Arena in Devlin Fieldhouse

6811 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70118

The ceremony will 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.

The reception will begin immediately following the ceremony and conclude promptly at 1 p.m.

A. B. Freeman School of Business Marshall Family Commons

7 McAlister Dr, New Orleans, LA 70118

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 12 for Master's students and no later than March 8 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.

More information to come about tickets for in-person participants.

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 before or during the Spring 2026 term will have the option to walk at the ceremony. 

Students who plan to successfully meet degree requirements for the Summer 2026 or Fall 2026 terms will walk in the May 2027 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, Southwest Airlines, and Delta Airlines provide Tulane travelers with additional benefits for Commencement travel. For full details, please visit the Travel Information page.

Several hotels and bed & breakfasts in New Orleans also offer discounted rates for Tulanians. 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.

Graduates will process to Devlin Fieldhouse from the A. B. Freeman School of Business. Doors will open at 7:30 a.m. Dressing rooms will be available at the School of Business. Students should arrive no later than 8:30 a.m.

Due to construction, road closures, and limited parking on the uptown campus, we encourage graduates and guests to consider using a taxi or rideshare platform rather than driving. 

Graduates and their guests who choose to drive 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 Devlin Fieldhouse. Drivers are welcome to drop off graduates or guests with mobility concerns on Freret Street in front of Devlin Fieldhouse 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 drivers to arrive early to secure parking and walk to Devlin Fieldhouse.

Graduates should bring only necessities, such as an ID and phone. 

Please remember that we adhere to a strict 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.

The ceremony will last roughly an hour and a half, from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.

Tulane School of Social Work will host a reception immediately following the ceremony in the A.B. Freeman School of Business Marshall Family Commons. We will celebrate with hors d'oeuvres, champagne, and non-alcoholic beverages. The reception will conclude promptly at 1:00 p.m.

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.

Students are also encouraged to gather independently and celebrate themselves. 

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, Southwest Airlines, and Delta Airlines provide Tulane travelers with additional benefits for Commencement travel. For full details, please visit the Travel Information page.

Several hotels and bed & breakfasts in New Orleans also offer discounted rates for Tulanians. 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 will open for guests at 8:00 a.m.

Due to construction, road closures, and limited parking on the uptown campus, we encourage graduates and guests to consider using a taxi or rideshare platform rather than driving. 

Graduates and their guests who choose to drive 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 Devlin Fieldhouse. Drivers are welcome to drop off graduates or guests with mobility concerns on Freret Street in front of Devlin Fieldhouse 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 drivers to arrive early to secure parking and walk to Devlin Fieldhouse.

Guests should enter through the main entrance at the corner of McAlister Drive and Freret. Please note that the main entrance is accessible via stairs. If you require a ramp, please seek out a Tulane School of Social Work staff member, who can guide you to the ADA accessible entrance.

If you require accommodation such as hearing-accessible seating, please seek out a Tulane School of Social Work staff member to find the appropriate seat once you enter the Fieldhouse.

For specific accommodations during the ceremony, please ask your graduate to email tsswgraduation@tulane.edu with the request as soon as possible.

On the day of the ceremony, please seek out a Tulane School of Social Work staff member to find the appropriate seat.

We adhere to a strict 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 9:00 to 10:30 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 2025 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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