Commencement
FAQ |
|
| Time and Date | 10:00am on Saturday, October 25, 2025. |
| Agenda |
09:00am Graduate
and Guest Check-in Begins |
| Location |
Van Metre Hall, George Mason University Mason Square, 3351 Fairfax Dr, Arlington, VA 22201-4426 View map  |
| Who is Eligible | All UMT alumni who graduated in the past five (5) years and current students who will have completed all academic and financial requirements by September 30, 2025 are invited. All outstanding balances must be paid by September 1st. Student Accounts can be reached at 703-516-0035, ext 1500. |
| RSVP for Commencement | All
graduates who plan to attend commencement must RSVP by
Tuesday, September
30,
2025. Submit completed Commencement RSVP Form. |
| Fee for Commencement | The Commencement Fee of $95.00 must be paid. The fee is refundable prior to September 1st. The Commencement Fee will be added to your account after we receive your RSVP form. Please wait for an email from us confirming that it is ready for you to pay in your Student Portal. |
| When to Arrive | Graduates
should arrive:
one hour prior to the ceremony. Check-in begins one hour prior to
the ceremony. All students must be checked-in 15 minutes prior to
the ceremony. Family and guests should arrive: At least 30 minutes prior to the ceremony for admission into and seating for the ceremony. Arrive early for best seating. |
| Where to Report | Graduates:
Van Metre Hall lobby, George Mason University Mason Square Family and guests: Van Metre Hall lobby, George Mason University Mason Square |
| Cap, Gown and Hood | A
cap, gown and hood are required for the ceremony. They can be purchased
through Jostens
online. You will purchase your cap and gown based on your height. You will also specify your major/curriculum for appropriate hood. Make your purchase at least one month prior to commencement to ensure you receive them in time for the event. |
| Length of Ceremony | Approximately 1 hour. |
| Who Is Included in the Commencement Ceremony Program? | All students who RSVP before the posted deadline AND are in good academic and financial standing are included in the Commencement Ceremony program. The commencement program is only available at the Commencement Ceremony and is for registered students who are participating in the Ceremony and their guests. |
| Which Students Receive Honors Designations and How Do Honors Designations Work at Commencement? | Bachelor’s candidates whose grade point average is 3.5
or greater and Delta Epsilon Tau International Honor Society (DET) members will have an honor designation printed on their name card, which will be read aloud upon crossing the stage. Latin honors are as follows: cum laude 3.5-3.69, magna cum laude 3.7-3.89, summa cum laude 3.9-4.0. DET International Honor Society is by invitation only. Currently UMT graduates whose GPA average achieves the top fifteen percentile are invited to join DET International Honor Society as a member. Honors designations are not listed in the Commencement program. |
| Why Don’t Master’s and Doctoral Students Receive Latin Honors Designations? | It is not traditional for graduate-level students to graduate with a Latin honors designation. At UMT, and most other institutions, Master’s and Doctoral students do not have honors distinctions read aloud during the Commencement Ceremony and they are not printed on the diplomas. However, qualified graduate students do receive an invitation to join the DET International Honor Society. |
| Children and Infants | No one will be allowed to accompany graduates during the Commencement Ceremony as they will be seated separately from their family and friends. For safety reasons, please arrange for family and friends to care for your children and infants while in the theatre. |
| Reception | A reception is planned after the Commencement Ceremony. The reception is approximately 45 minutes. |
| Photographs | A photo session is planned at the nearby Iwo Jima Memorial after the reception. UMT will provide shuttle service to the Iwo Jima Memorial and back to the commencement venue for graduates. Graduates and family can also take photos with the UMT President, Academic Dean, faculty and staff during reception. Professional photos are taken during the event and posted on UMT social media sites a few weeks after the commencement. |
| Parking | Parking is available in the
Van Metre Hall Parking Garage at a
daily flat rate of $10 all day Saturday. Once parked, please take
the elevator to the lobby. Parking garage entrance is accessible via Founders Way North. View map  |
| Special Needs | Special
accommodation seating can be arranged for disabled guests by emailing
studentservices@umtweb.edu as early as possible. Handicapped parking is available in the parking garage. Once parked, take the elevator to lobby. Alternatively, a ramp is available at the front of the building. |
| Hotel |
There are many choices nearby. A couple of them include: Hilton Arlington - next to the Ballston metro station (1 metro stop away) Residence Inn - near the Courthouse metro (2 metro stops away) Hyatt Place Arlington Courthouse - near the Courthouse metro (2 metro stops away) |
| Airports | DC
area has three airports: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) – 5 miles from Courthouse. It is conveniently located by a Metro stop and is the closest airport to DC and the commencement site. Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – 25 miles from Courthouse. It provides bus service to several Metro stops. Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI) – 45 miles from Courthouse. |
| Metro | The
DC area has a metro transit system, which makes getting around easy.
The Court House metro stop connects to the Orange and Silver lines. For
more information please visit the official Washington Metropolitan
Area Transit Authority website. Take the Orange Line to the Virginia Square/GMU station. The George Mason University is approximately 2 blocks. Take the escalator to the street level, and turn to face Fairfax Drive. Across the street and to the right, you will see the FDIC building. Cross the street and continue past the FDIC building. The George Mason University Van Metre Hall is on the left. |
| Driving Directions | To Van Metre Hall (3351 North Fairfax Dr., Arlington) from Washington, DC Cross over the Roosevelt Bridge; follow signs to the George Washington Parkway. Once on the parkway, exit at Spout Run (left exit). Cross over Route 29 (Langston Blvd). Spout Run is now Kirkwood Road. Cross over Washington Boulevard. The Van Metre Hall is on the right, at North Fairfax Drive. To Van Metre Hall (3351 North Fairfax Dr., Arlington) from I-66 heading East Exit I-66 at Glebe Road/Fairfax Drive (exit 71). The exit ramp turns into Fairfax Drive. After traveling one mile on North Fairfax Drive, you will see the FDIC building on the left. The Van Metre Hall is past the FDIC building. *Note: All eastbound lanes of I-66 inside the Beltway are restricted to HOV-2 from 6:30 am to 9:00 am and all westbound lanes of I-66 inside the Beltway are restricted to HOV-2 from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm, M-F. To Van Metre Hall (3351 North Fairfax Dr., Arlington) from I-66 heading West Exit I-66 at Glebe Road (exit 71). Turn left onto Washington Boulevard. Stay on Washington Boulevard until you pass the Giant Supermarket; then turn right onto Kirkwood Road. The Van Metre Hall is on the right, at North Fairfax Drive. *Note: All eastbound lanes of I-66 inside the Beltway are restricted to HOV-2 from 6:30 am to 9:00 am and all westbound lanes of I-66 inside the Beltway are restricted to HOV-2 from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm, M-F. To Van Metre Hall (3351 North Fairfax Dr., Arlington) from I-395 Exit I-395 at Glebe Road North. Continue on Glebe Road, passing Ballston Common Mall on the right. Cross over Wilson Boulevard, then turn right onto Fairfax Drive. After one mile you will see the FDIC building on the left. The Van Metre Hall is past the FDIC building. To Van Metre Hall (3351 North Fairfax Dr., Arlington) from Fairfax and Points West, via Route 50 Go east on Route 50 (Arlington Blvd.). Exit at Glebe Road, and turn left on Glebe. Turn right on Fairfax Drive. The Van Metre Hall is one mile down on North Fairfax Drive, past the FDIC building, on the left. |
| More Information | Contact Student Services at (800) 924-4883 or by e-mail at studentservices@umtweb.edu. |
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