Happy March, Class of 2026!
We hope you are making the most of your last semester here at JMU!
As you prepare for your spring commencement, please read over the regular newsletters for important information. This is edition two of four, so be sure to keep your eye out for the next two!
In addition, please share this information with your friends and family and encourage them to subscribe to the newsletters by emailing jmugrad@jmu.edu.
Undergraduates:
If you are planning to graduate in May or August 2026, please apply to graduate via MyMadison by April 1st at 11:59 p.m. to ensure that your name will be listed in the commencement program and appear on the videoboard at Commencement. If you plan to graduate in December 2026, you will be able to apply to graduate via MyMadison beginning May 1st, 2026.
Master's, Ed.S., and doctoral students:
The application deadline for students graduating with their master’s degree was November 1, 2025.
How to Apply: Log in to MyMadison, then select the Student Tab and click Student Center. To start the application process, choose Graduation from the other academic dropdown menu. If you have questions, view this tutorial or email graduation@jmu.edu.
Senior Compass
Senior Compass is a non-credit Canvas course all undergraduate students must complete the semester leading up to graduation. Once you apply to graduate, the Senior Compass Hold will be placed on your account automatically at the beginning of the semester in which you intend to graduate; the hold will be removed once the two Senior Compass requirements are completed.
Email SeniorCompass@jmu.edu or visit jmu.edu/SeniorCompass for more information.
Tuesday, March 24th and Wednesday, March 25th
2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Festival Conference and Student Center - Grand Ballroom
Mark your calendar for the Spring Commencement Expo on Tuesday, March 24th and Wednesday, March 25th in the Festival Grand Ballroom from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.! The expo is a one-stop-shop for commencement needs. Graduates who plan to attend the expo only need to attend on one of the days and should set aside roughly 45 minutes for the event. Commuter student parking is available in the Ballard Parking Deck (permit required). Students without an annual permit may purchase a single-day permit from the Parking and Transit Services web portal at jmu.aimsparking.com
At Commencement Expo, graduates will have the opportunity to:
- Purchase and take home your cap, gown, hood and tassel. Jostens staff will be on site to assist and ensure that you receive the proper regalia for your ceremony.
- Answer your commencement and ticketing questions (JMU Athletic Ticketing Office and University Events staff will be present to assist in answering commencement ticket questions).
- Have professional head shots or cap and gown photos taken by ProPics.
- Visit the Alumni Association table to learn about alumni chapters.
- Visit Balfour if you wish to order a class ring or announcements.
- View diploma frames if you wish to purchase one.
- And more
We hope to see you there!
Commencement Schedule
Spring Commencement Ceremonies
Thursday, May 14
College of Arts and Letters, 9:00 a.m. | Atlantic Union Bank Center
College of Health and Behavioral Studies, 1:00 p.m. | Atlantic Union Bank Center
Communication Sciences and Disorders, Health Sciences, and Kinsiology Majors
College of Health and Behavioral Studies, 6:00 p.m. | Atlantic Union Bank Center
Graduate Psychology, Dietetics, Health Services Administration, Nursing, Psychology, and Social Work Majors
Friday, May 15
College of Business, 9:00 a.m. | Atlantic Union Bank Center
including the School of Strategic Leadership Studies and the MBA program
College of Science and Mathematics and College of Visual and Performing Arts, 1:00 p.m.
| Atlantic Union Bank Center
College of Integrated Science and Engineering, 5:30 p.m. | Atlantic Union Bank Center
Saturday, May 16
College of Education; Hart School of Hospitality, Sport and Recreation Management; the School of Professional and Continuing Education; and University Studies, 9:00 a.m. | Atlantic Union Bank Center
Additional Ceremonies
Ceremonies listed below are planned by the respective department. The department will communicate with the graduates regarding details of their event, such as ticketing, guest information, graduate instructions, and other information.
Honors College Medallion Ceremony
Wednesday, May 13th, 5:00 p.m. | Wilson Hall Auditorium
Nursing Convocation
Friday, May 15th, 11:00 a.m. | Wilson Hall Auditorium
Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony
Saturday, May 23rd, 10:00 a.m. | Memorial Hall Auditorium, Memorial Hall
Other recognitions may occur by department, major, or a student group. Your college or student organization will communicate these recognitions.
Degrees will be conferred at each college ceremony and individual recognition of each graduate will occur as they walk across the stage.
Tickets are required for guests and graduates for college ceremonies. Each student will receive up to six (6) guest tickets for their friends and family. Graduates will need to obtain a ticket for themselves for entry into the arena.
At this time, we are unable to provide additional guest tickets. If extra tickets become available, the commencement office will reach out to the entire college to offer additional tickets. This process is dependent on RSVP submissions, therefore please do not wait to secure your tickets when the reservation period opens on March 24th!
Ticketing Timeline
Tickets will be required for all ceremonies hosted in the Atlantic Union Bank Center. Each student will receive up to six (6) guest tickets for friends and family. All tickets will be e-mobile tickets and will be scanned at the door. Tickets can only be requested by the graduate, through the JMU Athletic Ticketing system. Graduates will receive a link via email on March 24th at noon.
March 24th - Ticketing will open at noon.
Ticketing opens before Commencement Expo! Ticketing will open on March 24th at noon. Graduates will be sent an email from JMUGrad advising that graduates may now submit their ticket reservation. There will be a table at Commencement Expo to aid students with requesting tickets as well. This step is just a reservation of your tickets. Electronic tickets will be released into the graduate's account the week of commencement and transfer instructions will be provided.
April 7th & April 22nd - Email Reminders
Emails will be sent to remind graduates to reserve their tickets.
April 30th - Final Email Reminder
Final email will be sent to remind graduate that ticketing ends on May 1st at noon.
May 1st - Ticketing Ends
Ticketing ends at noon. Following this date, emails will come out about ticket transfer, parking, graduate seating assignments, and more!
How the Ticketing Process Works:
- Only the graduate can order tickets, maximum of six (6) guest tickets, from their student Athletics account on JMU Athletics (will be sent a link via email from JMUGrad on March 24th).
- Tickets will be e-mobile tickets. All tickets must be downloaded to an Apple Wallet or Google Play App prior to arriving at Atlantic Union Bank Center. If you choose to have all guest tickets on one device, then all guests will need to enter the arena together as one group. Graduates, you will enter separately from your guests.
- Graduates, when you request your guest tickets, you will need to select one graduate ticket for yourself to enter the arena. Graduate tickets are a different color than guests tickets. This is in addition to the maximum of six guest tickets you may request.
- A barcode will not be displayed, rather the ticket will say "Hold Near Reader" for contactless entry.
- Children (5 years and younger) do not need a ticket if they are sitting on another guest's lap. However, if a child requires an individual seat, a separate ticket must be obtained for them.
- All guest tickets are general seating.
Please continue to check your email, commencement newsletters and the website for further information. Information and instructions will be sent out via email from jmugrad@jmu.edu and the Athletic Ticket Office throughout the semester.
Online Regalia Ordering is Open!
If you are unable to attend the Commencement Expo or require your regalia package in advance, online ordering is now available through March 13th.
Buy regalia here!
Please note the following when placing your order online:
- Honor cords, awarded based on your GPA, will not be available for purchase until the Commencement Expo. If you place your regalia order online, you will need to visit the Expo or the JMU Bookstore to pick up your honor cord starting March 30th.
- The complete regalia package includes your cap, gown, hood, and tassel. If you need all items, be sure to select the package rather than ordering individual pieces.
- When placing your order online, you will need to provide the following information to help the Jostens team match your correct regalia. Height, Weight and Degree/Major (i.e., Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science, etc.)
After the Commencement Expo, graduates will be able to purchase their regalia at the JMU Bookstore beginning March 30th. If you have questions or need assistance, please call or email the JMUGrad Office at 540-568-7787 or jmugrad@jmu.edu.
Rings and Announcements
Don't miss out on ordering your official class rings and graduation announcements before it's too late!
Rings and announcements can be ordered through Balfour.
Senior Class Gift
A Way to Show Gratitude
Ever wondered how to express your gratitude to the faculty and staff who shaped your time at JMU? This is your chance to honor those who got you to this moment and support your fellow students at the same time.
By giving to the Dukes Pay-It-Forward Annual Scholarship, you support Dukes in their time of need and join other seniors in giving back to what matters most.
Make an impact with as little as $10!
Commencement Checklist
-
Apply to Graduate and View your Graduation Status
Click HERE for procedures to apply to graduate and view your graduation status. Diplomas will be mailed shortly after commencement and should arrive 8-10 weeks after your degree has been conferred. Make sure your permanent/home address is correct, and if it is not, you can make those changes in MyMadison. -
Reserve Lodging
Remind your family and guests to make lodging reservations. If accommodations in Harrisonburg are limited, consider nearby cities and towns such as Woodstock, Staunton, Mount Jackson, Fishersville, New Market and others within 30 miles. -
Learn the Alma Mater
If you don't know it, now is the time to get to know it! -
Watch for Upcoming Newsletters
We will share updates on the commencement speaker, regalia, parking, accessibility and more.
Congratulations, Class of 2026!
Please visit the commencement website to view additional information related to the ceremonies.
Graduates, we encourage you to share commencement information with your guests. Guests and family members wishing to join our newsletter subscription may email JMUGrad@jmu.edu. All editions will be shared via email and posted to the commencement website. Graduates, you are automatically on the list to receive the newsletters, therefore you do not need to sign up.
Go Dukes!