Class of 2026 Commencement

Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 8:45 a.m.
The Academy of Music
240 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Questions? Contact DUCOMMilestones@drexel.edu.

Drexel University College of Medicine Commencement 2025

Commencement – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Please reach out to DUCOMMilestones@drexel.edu with any questions related to the Class of 2026 College of Medicine Commencement Ceremony.

MD Graduates: Rehearsal Hall, 3rd Floor (Locust Street Entrance)

What time should I arrive at the Academy of Music the morning of Commencement? 
We ask that all graduates arrive at 7:30 a.m. Please remember to account for travel time as Center City can be busy during rush hour. 

Do I need a ticket to enter? 
No, graduates dressed in regalia do not need a ticket to attend Commencement. 

Where do I go when I get to the Academy of Music?
Graduates should go immediately to the check-in table located at the Locust Street entrance. Once checked in, students will go to Rehearsal Hall for staging. 

I have personal items with me (purse, jacket, etc.). Can I bring it into Rehearsal Hall with me? 
NO. Graduates may not leave any personal belongings in the student staging area. You will not be returning to that space. Please leave any personal items with your guests before the ceremony begins or carry them with you. 

I never picked up my regalia/I lost part of my regalia. What do I do? 
If you have not picked it up yet, your regalia will be in your student staging space. If you are missing any part of your regalia (tam, hood, tassel), a volunteer can help you. All graduates should check in before entering the staging area. 

I don’t know how to put on my hood. What do I do? 
Graduates should not be wearing their hoods at the time of arrival. You will be hooded on stage as part of the ceremony. Volunteers will be in Rehearsal Hall showing graduates how to place their hoods on their arm. 

Can I keep my regalia?
Yes. 

I’m not registered, but I want to participate in Commencement. What do I do? 
Unfortunately, if you did not pre-register for the event, you will not be able to attend in person. The College of Medicine Commencement Ceremony will be livestreamed via our YouTube channel – YouTube.com/@DrexelMedicine. 

May I carry my child across stage when I’m hooded? 
For safety reasons, students are not permitted to carry or bring their children on stage.  

PhD and MS Graduates: Ballroom, 2nd Floor (Broad Street Entrance)

Do I need a ticket to enter?
No, graduates do not need a ticket to attend Commencement.

Where do I go when I get to the Academy of Music?
Graduates should use the Broad Street entrance and go immediately to the check-in table outside the Ballroom, which is located on the 2nd floor. If you do not check in, your name will not be called at Commencement.  

I have personal items with me (purse, jacket, etc.). Can I bring it into the Ballroom with me?
NO. Graduates may not leave any personal belongings in the Ballroom. We will not be returning to that space. Please leave any personal items with your guests before entering the Ballroom.  You also will not be permitted to carry bags to your seats in the Academy of Music.

I never picked up my regalia/I lost part of my regalia. What do I do?
If you haven’t picked it up yet, your regalia will be at the check-in table, outside of the Ballroom. If you are missing any part of your regalia (cap, hood, tassel), please go to registration and a volunteer can help you. All graduates should check in/register before going into the Ballroom.

I don’t know how to put on my hood. What do I do?
Graduates should not be wearing their hoods at the time of arrival. You will be hooded on stage as part of the ceremony. Volunteers will be going around the Ballroom showing graduates how to place their hoods on their arm.

Can I keep my regalia?
Yes.

I’m not registered, but I want to participate in Commencement. What do I do?
Unfortunately, if you did not pre-register for the event, you will not be able to attend in person. The College of Medicine Commencement ceremony will be livestreamed via our YouTube channel – YouTube.com/@DrexelMedicine.

May I carry my child across stage when I’m hooded?
For safety reasons, students are not permitted to carry or bring their children on stage.

Faculty/Stage Participants/Faculty Awardees/Mentor Hooders

Where do I go when I get to the Academy of Music?
All faculty/stage participants should report to the Stage Entrance to the Academy of Music located on Locust Street at 7:30 a.m. Volunteers will direct you to the faculty staging space.

What should I do if I’m running late or no longer able to attend the Commencement Ceremony?
If you are no longer able to attend the ceremony, please reach out to DUCOMMilestones@drexel.edu. If you are running late the morning of the ceremony, we ask that you reach out to Orcel Kounga, owk23@drexel.edu or 267.857.6808.

Do I need a ticket to enter?
No, stage participants and faculty awardees do not need a ticket to attend Commencement. Stage participants are required to pre-register for the event.

Do guests of Faculty Awardees need a ticket to enter?
Yes, all guest tickets will be available at the Will Call Table in the Academy of Music lobby. If you need to request a guest ticket, please reach out to DUCOMMilestones@drexel.edu.

Where do I pick up regalia?
hen you arrive, please sign in at the registration table where you will be given your seat assignment. Your regalia will be on your chair. If you are missing any part of your regalia (cap, hood, tassel), please let a volunteer know.

I’m not registered, but I want to participate in Commencement. What do I do?
Unfortunately, if you did not pre-register for the event, you will not be able to attend in person. The College of Medicine Commencement Ceremony will be livestreamed via our YouTube channel – YouTube.com/@DrexelMedicine.

Guests

Where do I sit, and what time can I enter the Main Hall?
Seating is general admission within the tier listed on your ticket. Tickets will be distributed prior to the event. Ushers are present on each tier and will help you find a seat. Guests may enter the Main Hall starting at 8:15 a.m.

I have a child with me—do they need a ticket?
Any child over the age of 5 needs a ticket. If your child cannot comfortably sit on your lap without blocking the view of those behind you, they need their own seat.

I have a guest with accessibility accommodations. When can we enter the theater?
It is recommended that all guests requiring accessible seating arrive early so that event staff can show them to their seats. These guests will be invited to enter the Main Hall at 8 a.m. Please see the Academy of Music ushers for further instructions. 

I have tickets reserved under my name. Where do I pick them up?
If you are informed that you have tickets available for pick up, they will be in an envelope with your name on it at the Will Call Table in the lobby on the morning of the event. 

Where can I leave tickets for a friend?
You may leave any tickets for a friend at the Will Call Table in the lobby.

Can I bring flowers and balloons to the Academy of Music?
Flowers are allowed. Helium balloons will not be permitted.

Will the ceremony be livestreamed?
Yes, the ceremony will be livestreamed on the College of Medicine YouTube Channel – YouTube.com/@DrexelMedicine.

How long will the ceremony last?
The ceremony will last approximately three hours.

More FAQs will be added as we continue to finalize details for the Commencement ceremony.