Frequently Asked Questions
The SAIS Commencement ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, beginning at 11:00 am ET at DAR Constitution Hall, 1776 D Street NW, Washington, DC 20006.
We are planning for an in-person 2023 Commencement at which we hope to welcome friends, family, and graduates who wish to participate. Tickets are required. For guests who are unable to attend, this event will be live-streamed.
Guest will not be admitted in the venue until 10:00 am. The doors will close at 10:50 am and reopen only after the academic procession.
We reserve the right to change the date, time, location or policies of the ceremony in the best interest of public health and safety. We will provide updates, up to the date of the event, by email and on this website.
Visit the SAIS Commencement homepage and continue to monitor your JH email for updates up to the ceremony day. Information will come from both the SEAM and SAIS Commencement Team via email.
The universitywide Commencement ceremony will be Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 9 a.m. The ceremony will take place on Homewood Field, Johns Hopkins Homewood campus.
Please be advised that while master’s students are invited and welcome to attend the universitywide ceremony, they will not cross the stage but will be recognized as a group from their seats. The master’s degree ceremonies will be the primary ceremonies for master’s students at which they will cross the stage as their names are announced.
Each graduate will need to wear appropriate regalia (cap and gown) or military gear in order to participate in the school-specific and universitywide ceremonies.
Yes, students participating in on-campus commencement ceremonies and events must comply with the JHU vaccination mandate and must have received either an FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccination or an approved medical or religious exception prior to coming on-campus, even if they were fully “online” students during their course of study.
Balloons, posters, wrapped gifts and flowers are not permitted in DAR Constitution Hall. Backpacks, bags and purses larger than 13 5/8” x 15 ¼” are not permitted in the arena. All bags and purses are subject to be searched upon entrance. Food and drinks may not be brought into the arena unless medically necessary or for small children
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. For convenience, we would recommend downloading Park Mobile app via the App store on your smart phone.
There are parking garages located in the area on New York and Pennsylvania Avenues and 17th and 18th Streets.
DAR is an indoor venue. Guest will not be admitted in the venue until 10:00 am. Ensure you have adequate protection from the elements if you arrive before 10:00 am. The doors will close at 10:50 am and reopen only after the academic procession.
Stay connected to the school and to John Hopkins SAIS Alumni, contact the Development and Alumni Relations Office.
Diplomas for May and June graduates will be shipped from the vendor in July, and CeDiplomas will be made available at that time. Please make sure your cell number and diploma address is applicable to this timeframe. If you need to adjust the mailing address, please contact the Registrar Office
From the Orange and Blue lines (A 10-15 minute walk):
- Take the Farragut West metro stop.
- Exit the station on 17th Street, and walk south on 17th Street towards Constitution. Turn right on D Street.
- The hall is on the corner of 18th and D Streets.
- Take the Farragut North metro stop.
- Exit the station on 17th Street, and walk south on 17th Street towards Constitution. Turn right on D Street.
- The hall is on the corner of 18th and D Streets.
The ceremony will be livestreamed and anyone with internet access will be able to view it. In following weeks, the information about the livestream will be added to this page.
Tickets
Tickets are required.
Each graduate, who indicated their intent to participate in the ceremony, will receive up to five tickets for family and guests to attend. Graduates will be able to claim tickets during the Grad Fair. Tickets are required for family and guest entry into the venue.
There are two types of tickets available: general admission and accessible seating. A total of up to five tickets will be issued to each graduate who indicated their intent to participate in the ceremony.
Accessible seating ticket holders are required to be accompanied by one adult.
Infants and small children in lap will not be required to have a ticket. A ticket is only needed if they 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 physical copy of the tickets. A photocopy of the ticket will not be accepted 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 in the ceremony and are unable to attend the Grad Fair, will receive information on the alternative pickup office hours and locations. This information will be shared only after the Grad Fair. Dates will be available up until the day before the ceremony.
Tickets will not be available on graduation day. Graduates will need to secure tickets ahead of graduation day.
Please reach out to SAIS Commencement Team for alternative pickup office hours and location.
Tickets will not be available on graduation day. Graduates will need to secure tickets ahead of graduation day.
The 2023 Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies Graduation Toast and Reception is from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, May 23rd, at the Woodrow Wilson Plaza of the Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004.
Tickets are required for graduates, faculty, staff and guests.
Each graduate, who indicated their intent to participate, will receive up to three tickets for entry of themselves plus 2 additional guests.
No, you will need to secure your tickets prior to the day of the reception.
Tickets are required for graduates.
Children are allowed at the event. A ticket is only needed for those over 2 years of age.
No, there are separate ticket types for the ceremony and reception.
The plaza is located on the external grounds of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center near the Wilson Center. For reference, here are directions to the Wilson Center.
Tickets are issued to each graduate and cannot be picked up by a friend or fellow classmate. If you are unable to attend office hours, reach out to your degree manager to coordinate a time to pick up your items.
Garage Parking is available onsite. Visit here for more information on the rates.
The Federal Triangle Metro Station (orange/blue/silver lines) is located onsite and is connected to the building by a covered passageway.
The Metro Center Metro Station (red line) is located just two blocks away.