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.

All graduates are invited to attend the Grad Fair, the one-stop event for all graduation essentials, including the distribution of regalia and tickets.

Grad Fair Date:
Tuesday, April 23rd
10:00 am – 7:00 pm

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.

This event will be livestreamed. The link will be available closer to the event date.

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.

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.

SAIS negotiated a discounted rate at the Courtyard Washington DC/ Foggy Bottom for $379 USD per night. The rate is available from May 21st- May 23rd. The deadline to book your room is Tuesday, April 23, 2024. Reservation can be booked here or by Marriott Reservations at 800-321-2211.

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.   
  
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.

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. 

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. 
 
All SAIS graduates are invited to attend the Grad Fair for cap and gown and ticket distribution. 

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.