Convocation & Commencement

Please see the UMB Commencement Ceremony Webpage for information about this all UMB ceremony. UMB Commencement is in ADDITION to the School of Social Work Convocation Ceremony. 

No, graduating studens do not need to register for the SSW Convocation Ceremony. We have internal behind-the-scenes processes that allow us to be prepared for every graduating student to participate in the ceremony (although participation is not required). See you there! 

Requests for disability accommodations for students and guests. 

MAY (SPRING) GRADUATES:

Deadline to file an Application for Diploma is February 6, 2023.

Filing an Graduation Application is mandatory, please so here.

For questions regarding the process, please contact:

Office of the Registrar

601 W. Lombard Street, Suite 240

Baltimore, MD 21201

410-706-7480

410-706-4053 (fax)

registrar@umaryland.edu

www.umaryland.edu/registrar

• Regalia can be ordered online through Oak Hall iva this link. 
• Please note that the UMB store does not carry any regalia, ordering online is the only choice.
• There is a $15.95 shipping charge for home delivery.

Full package for MSW regalia is $113.96

Hood only: $46.98

Cap only: $10.98

Tassel only: $7.98

PhD Students, please visit the site for information.

Diplomas for May graduates will be distributed at the conclusion of the UMB All School Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 18, 2023.

May graduates who do not attend graduation may pick up their diploma at the UMB Registrar between June 22 and July 2. After July 2nd diplomas will be mailed to the address of record.

Diplomas for July (Summer) graduates are mailed in late August.

Due to the size of the UMBC arena, tickets are not necessary. Looking forward to celebrating with you and your as many guests as you like! 

The event will also be livestreamed: Link to be provided in May 2023

Parking at the Chesapeake Arena is free and plentiful.

If you have marked your name, major, attendance or degree as Confidential on the Directory Options in SURFS, your name will not appear in any campus Commencement publications. If that’s not what you want, you need to change the settings before April 30.

We can’t verify your attendance or graduation for future employers without your written consent if your name, major, attendance or degree are marked confidential.

To change confidentiality settings for directory information, logon to Surfs and go to the Personal Information menu and click on Update Directory Options

If you believe there is a good chance we will mispronounce your name at graduation, please upload an audio file of you saying your name so we can listen to it prior to recording the reading of your name.

Each year, the UMB School of Social Work honors three students for outstanding achievement within the school and community; 1 each for Clinical, Macro and Field Practice.  Students may be nominated by faculty, staff, students and/or field instructors.

Please use the guidelines below and provide a summary of why you feel the nominated student is deserving of the award. 

• Nominee must be graduating in December 2022, May 2023 or July 2023

• Nominee has:

  • Demonstrated exemplary leadership
  • Been involved in volunteer activities that have motivated and inspired others
  • Been a success in advocating for others or organizations
  • Made a significant contribution to an organization or agency
  • Made a significant contribution to various client populations
  • Shown commitment to social change and action

Learn more about the Exemplary Student Award and Nominate a Student 

Learn more about the SGA Faculty Award and nominate a faculty member.

Learn more about the SGA Staff Award and nominate a staff member.

The following guidelines are designed to help the morning go smoothly. Please share the information with friends and family so they will know what to expect on your big day!

• Arrival: 12noon with your academic attire given the ceremony begins at 1pm
• Parking: Info taken from UMBC Arena website. There are over 1,000 parking spaces in the four dedicated lots adjacent to Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena with additional lots and parking garages located on campus within walking distance. Parking during event is free to patrons on a first come first serve basis. We highly recommend arriving a minimum of 1 hour prior
• Graduating students will line up in the Auxillary Gym 
• Please respectfully adhere to the instructions of the staff and greeters who will be directing graduates and guests to the appropriate areas for the line-up, the procession and to the arena.
• UMBC Security: Please adhere to the directions made by UMBC Security; the officers will assist with traffic flow inside and outside of the facility.
• Professional Photos: Representatives from GradTrak by Grad Images will be taking a picture of each graduate with Dean Postmus while the student is being honored on the stage.
• Personal Photos: Guests wishing to take pictures are to do so prior to and after the ceremony; family and guests should remain seated during the Convocation.
• Line up: Before entering the arena, MSW graduates will line-up according to concentration.
• Seating: Please ask family and friends to remain seated during the ceremony
• No Balloons are allowed in the Arena

FAQ about the UMBC Arena