Frequently Asked Questions

For friends and family who are unable to attend the concert or ceremony, both events will be streamed live on the Berklee Vimeo platform. 

Students and guests, please complete this form if you need an accessibility accommodation at the concert or the ceremony.

Agganis Arena fully complies and exceeds all requirements as set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act. Find more information about on the 2024 Commencement Accessibility page.

All concert and ceremony attendees must follow the venue's COVID-19 protocols (protocols are established by Agganis Arena, not by Berklee).

Berklee College of Music's commencement ceremony will celebrate students who are graduating during the fall 2023, spring 2024, and summer 2024 semesters. Students planning to complete all requirements and graduate in the summer 2024 semester must have 16 or fewer course credits remaining (13 credits for diploma students) by the spring 2024 add/drop deadline and no course sequences that would require future enrollment beyond the summer 2024 semester. Please note that you are only permitted to participate in one commencement ceremony (virtual or in-person) per degree or diploma earned. See the Requirements for Graduation and Applying to Graduate pages for more information.

We anticipate that the ceremony will last approximately three to four hours.

• You ordered your cap and gown when you applied for graduation. 

• Starting Monday, April 29 through Friday, May 3, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., you will need to pick up your cap and gown at the Berklee Bookstore. Caps and gowns will not be available at the venue.

• If you want someone else to pick up your cap and gown between April 29 and May 3, you must fill out this designation form by Thursday, April 25.

• On Saturday, May 11, you must arrive “robed and ready” (wearing your cap and gown).

To be eligible to participate in the 2024 commencement concert, you must first be approved to graduate in the 2024 commencement ceremony. If your 2024 application was received by the December deadline and approved by the Office of the Registrar, you will automatically receive an email in February 2024 with detailed instructions—and a submittable application link—to formally apply and audition to participate in the Berklee College of Music commencement concert. There will be opportunities for performers, arrangers, and track production assistants within the concert, which will pay tribute to the body of work of the 2024 honorary doctorates. You may apply for multiple roles within the concert. The deadline to submit your application form(s) and supporting material will be around early March. 

To be considered, you must be eligible to participate in the May 2024 Berklee College of Music commencement ceremony. Make sure you are eligible to graduate and have been approved to graduate prior to submitting a request to be the student commencement speaker. 

Information about the application process and deadline will be mailed to applicants in February. The student commencement speaker will be announced in April.  

Personalized graduation announcements that can be sent to family and friends can be ordered online at Balfour.com.

International graduates 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 may apply for the ESTA; all other citizens/nationals will need to apply for a B-2 (tourist) visa 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.

For general questions about commencement, please complete this form (login required) or email commencement@berklee.edu. For questions about graduation requirements, diplomas, transcripts, and how honors are determined, contact gradspecialist@berklee.edu. For questions about the commencement concert, please email: commencementconcert@berklee.edu.