Frequently Asked Questions

SAIS Commencement Ceremony will take place Wednesday, May 22 beginning at 11:00am ET at DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D St NW, Washington, DC 20006.

To watch the SAIS Commencement ceremony from home, click here to view the livestream.

It is recommended that you leave personal items at home or at your accommodation. All bags and purses may be searched upon entry, and restrictions are as follows:

• Bags and purses larger than 13” x 15”, including backpacks and luggage, are not permitted. Diaper bags are permitted.

• Please plan to have your large bags or luggage stored at your hotel/accommodation if you need to check out before the ceremony. Bags that do not meet the requirements will not be permitted into the building and a bag check will not be provided.

• Strollers are permitted inside the building and will remain in the lobby.

• Balloons, posters, signs, wrapped gifts and flowers are not permitted.

• Umbrellas are not permitted inside the hall and will remain in the lobby.

• Guests are permitted to bring an unopened water bottle. No other food and beverage is permitted unless medically necessary or for small children.

• Smoking is prohibited, including e-cigarettes, inside the building.

• Pets are not permitted except for Service Dogs.

The Universitywide Commencement ceremony will be Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 9 a.m. The ceremony will take place on Homewood Field, Johns Hopkins Homewood campus.

During the ceremony, all degrees from all nine schools will be conferred and doctoral and bachelor’s candidates will be called to cross the stage. (This ceremony includes those candidates whose degrees were awarded earlier in the year). Master’s candidates in attendance will stand at their seats as a group as their degrees are conferred and will not cross the stage.

More information on the university wide ceremony can be found here.

Visit the SAIS Commencement homepage and continue to monitor your Johns Hopkins email for updates up to the ceremony day. Information will come from both the SEAM and SAIS Commencement Team via email.

Each graduate is required to wear appropriate regalia (cap and gown) or military gear to participate in the school-specific and university wide ceremonies. Laurel wreaths are permitted.

Out of respect for the other graduates, all graduates and their guests are expected to stay until the ceremony ends, at approximately 2:00 PM. However, if it is necessary to leave early, we ask you to move quickly and quietly to an exit to avoid disrupting others. Please note there is no re-entry upon leaving the venue.

Metered street parking is available but very limited. Monday through Saturday, two-hour parking is enforced from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM for most meters.   
  
There are parking garages located in the area on New York and Pennsylvania Avenues and 17th and 18th Streets. 

Family and friends from abroad who wish to visit and/or attend JHU international students’ graduation ceremonies may apply for a B-2 visa from the United States consulate nearest to the place of their residence. Students needing assistance should request a letter, specifying the name and relationship of each guest.

Food and drinks will be not be available during the ceremony. Outside food and drinks are not permitted into the venue. Guests are permitted to bring in an unopened bottle of water.

Tickets are required for all guests who plan to attend the ceremony. Graduates participating in the ceremony does not require a ticket.

Each graduate who indicated to participate in the ceremony will receive up to five tickets or until the capacity of the venue is reached for their guests to attend. Graduates will be able to claim their tickets during the Grad Fair.

There are two tickets available: general admission and accessible seating. Guests who require accessible seating may be accompanied by one additional adult. 

Infants and small children in lap will not be required to have a ticket. A ticket is only necessary if the child require their own seat.

Tickets are issued to each graduate and cannot be picked up by a friend or fellow classmate.

Tickets will not be replaced or reissued.

The venue will only accept the original physical copy of tickets. Photocopies are not allowed and entry will not be granted.

The SAIS Commencement Team will not conduct or participate in any ticket lotteries.

Graduates who indicated their intent to participate and are unable to attend the Grad Fair will receive information on alternative pickup hours and locations. This information will be shared following the Grad Fair. 

Tickets will not be available on graduation day. Graduates should secure tickets ahead of graduation day.

The 2024 Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies Graduation Toast and Reception will be held from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 21st, at the Woodrow Wilson Plaza of the Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004. 

Yes, there is a parking garage available onsite. Visit here for more information on the rates and directions. 

Yes, we appreciate your cooperation in presenting a valid government-issued ID when entering the reception as part of our security protocol.

The Federal Triangle Metro Station (orange/blue/silver lines) is onsite and connected to the building by a covered passageway. 
 
Also, the Metro Center Metro Station (red line) is two blocks away. 

Tickets are required for graduates, faculty, staff, and guests. Tickets reservations are not required for reception tickets.

Each graduate who indicated their intent to participate in commencement events will receive up to three tickets for entry of themselves plus two guests.

No, you must secure your tickets ahead of the reception. 

No, there are separate ticket types for the ceremony and reception. 

Children are allowed at the event. A ticket is required for children over 2 years old. 

Guest are expected to be dressed in business casual attire.