Commencement for the Classes of 2020 and 2021

The in-person commencement ceremony and receptions for 2020 and 2021 graduates of Berklee College of Music, Berklee Online, and Boston Conservatory at Berklee*:

Sunday, December 4, 2022
Ceremony starts promptly at 10:00 a.m.
Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston Street, Boston

Event Details

The commencement celebration will feature remarks by members of our community.
Following the event, we invite you to continue the celebration at a reception for your school (also at the Hynes Convention Center), where you will have an opportunity to take photos.
We encourage you to wear formal attire.
This event will be broadcast live for those unable to attend (the link will be posted on this page before the event).

Information for International Student Graduates and Families

International alumni residing outside the U.S. are welcome to attend the commencement ceremony. You will need to enter the U.S. in tourist status. Qualified citizens/nationals of participating Visa Waiver Program countries(Opens in a new window) may apply for the ESTA(Opens in a new window); all other citizens/nationals will need to apply for a B-2 (tourist) visa(Opens in a new window) at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country. It is not possible to issue an I-20 or F-1 visa for the purpose of participating in a commencement ceremony.

Berklee does not issue invitation letters. The U.S. Department of State has let us know that invitation letters from colleges and universities are not reviewed by immigration officers and do not affect the outcome of a visa application. We suggest that you bring the following documents with you to support your visa application and/or when you enter the U.S.:

A printed copy of the email confirming your participation in the commencement ceremony. Make sure the email includes the date, time, and location of the ceremony.

A copy of your transcript or diploma certificate. Request your transcript here.

Other Berklee Events to Check Out While Visiting Boston

Susannah (an opera) at the Boston Conservatory Theater, Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4
Swing! at the Virginia Wimberly Theater, Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 3
One Night, One Mic: A Two Track Experience at the BPC, Thursday, December 1
The 8-Bit Big Band at the BPC, Saturday, December 3
Mountain Stage, Hosted by Kathy Mattea and Featuring Rosanne Cash at the BPC, Sunday, December 4
Closing Doors at Red Room at Cafe 939, Wednesday, December 7

Request an Accessibility Accommodation

Hynes Convention Center Directions and Information

The Hynes Convention Center is located at 900 Boylston Street.

Driving directions(Opens in a new window) and parking facilities(Opens in a new window)
Public Transportation
- Green Line B, C, D trains: exit at Hynes Convention Center. Turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue and left again onto Boylston Street. The entrance to the Hynes will be on your right.
- Green Line E trains: enter the Prudential Center and proceed up the escalators. Walk down corridor towards information booth and turn left. The Hynes will be on your right before the Sheraton Hotel.
- Orange Line: exit at Back Bay. The Hynes is a 10-minute walk. Follow directions to the Dartmouth Street entrance, cross Dartmouth Street and enter Copley Place Mall. Walk straight through Copley Place to the Shops at the Prudential Center. Continue through Prudential Center to the Hynes entrance.

Hynes Convention Center Guidelines

Personal belongings: You may only bring a small purse or wallet, which will be subject to search. Large bags, backpacks, gift bags, helium balloons, confetti/glitter, musical instruments, etc. will not be permitted, and we will be unable to hold them for you. Please leave these items at home.
Food and drink: Absolutely no food or drink will be permitted in the theater, and will need to be discarded at the entrance.
Photography: You are welcome to take photos or video throughout the event, but professional camera setups and tripods are not permitted.

Continue your celebration with brunch reservations or grab a bite to eat

It's not too early to make reservations:

Terra @ Eataly(Opens in a new window)

Abe & Louie's(Opens in a new window)

Back Bay Social Club(Opens in a new window)

Dillon’s(Opens in a new window)

Earl’s(Opens in a new window)

Rochambeau(Opens in a new window)

PURO ceviche bar(Opens in a new window)

or think about where to grab a bite to eat before leaving Boston.

at the Prudential Center:

Ben & Jerry’s(Opens in a new window)

Blue Bottle Coffee(Opens in a new window)

California Pizza Kitchen(Opens in a new window)

Clover Food Lab(Opens in a new window) (vegan)

Cold Stone Creamery(Opens in a new window)

DIG(Opens in a new window)

Dunkin’ Donuts(Opens in a new window)

Sweetgreen(Opens in a new window)

Wagamama(Opens in a new window)

Close by:

Shah’s Halal(Opens in a new window)

The Bebop(Opens in a new window)

Amelia’s Taqueria(Opens in a new window)

Flour Bakery + Cafe(Opens in a new window) (Dalton Street)

Love Art Sushi(Opens in a new window)

Tatte Bakery & Cafe(Opens in a new window) (160 Mass Ave)

Hakata Ramen(Opens in a new window)

Pho Basil(Opens in a new window)

Mumbai Spice(Opens in a new window)

Question or comments? email studentaffairs@berklee.edu.

* The class of 2020 includes December 2019, May 2020, and August 2020 graduates; the class of 2021 includes December 2020, May 2021, and August 2021 graduates.