School of Public Health Graduation Information Spring 2025

You can find an up to date "Timeline To Commencement" on the UMD Commencement website.

It is never too early to start planning for graduation. However there are many dates, deadlines and requirements you must meet in order to attend commencement and receive your degree. 

To earn a Bachelor's degree from the School of Public Health, students must:

• Fulfill the requirements for the chosen major;
• Complete major required courses with a grade of C- or better;
• Earn a minimum of 120 unduplicated credit hours (or 150 for double degree) with at least a 2.0 GPA for all UMD coursework attempted;
• Earn at least 12 credits of major required coursework during their last 30 credits;
• Earn at least 15 credits of upper-level (300 or 400) coursework in their last 30 credits;
• Fulfill General Education or CORE requirements.

To earn a Graduate degree from the School of Public Health, students must:

• Fulfill the requirements for the chosen degree (MA, MS, MPH & PhD).

Doctoral Degree Completion Checklist

Master's Degree Completion Checklist

It is important to understand that applying for graduation does not guarantee that you will earn your degree. Students in the current semester may apply for graduation through their TESTUDOt prior to the end of schedule adjustment. As a candidate for graduation, your record will be reviewed by your department prior to commencement, as well as after commencement, once grades have posted for the current semester. Once you have been cleared by your department your degree will be posted to your record and your diploma sent. Students MUST BE on track to completing all degree requirements in that given semester in order to remain on the graduation list and walk in the commencement ceremony. If a student is finishing a final course over summer or winter, that student should apply for graduation in the following term. Students will not be permitted to walk early in a commencement ceremony.  

Apply for graduation through Testudo

If you have missed the deadline to apply for graduation through TESTUDO (last day of schedule adjustment in the semester in which you apply), you will need to contact your SPH major department advisor for further instructions.

SPH Undergraduate or Graduate Students that have 2 or few courses to complete their degree can request permission to participate in SPH and/or University's commencement ceremonies. Submitting this request does not automatically grant students permission to participate in any commencement ceremony. If you complete this form, you will be notified via email of the department's decision after a review of your transcript.

Commencement Participation Request Form.

• Be sure you have met with your department advisor to confirm all University requirements have been met;
• Settle your student account (financial holds or administrative holds) with student financial services & cashiering;
• Update your address and email address on Testudo;
• Purchasing Regalia. Regalia is required to participate in both UMD Main and SPH Commencement ceremonies. The deadline to order regalia online for Undergraduates from the University Book Center is April 18, 2025. Online ordering for Doctoral regalia is April 12. Detailed information is on the Commencement page;
• Conduct an exit interview with the Office of Financial Aid.

To deliver the student commencement address is a great honor and a true challenge. A great commencement speaker shares something about themselves and their journey in the school; engages with students and parents; reflects on opportunities and inspires us for the future; and helps us understand what a career in public health means to them.

To be considered you must be an undergraduate student in the School of Public Health who is graduating in the current semester. A committee will review all applications and invite select applicants to deliver a three minute speech before making a final selection. The selected student speaker will be asked to attend commencement rehearsal. 

Please apply here. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 28, 2025.

• Arrival Time:  We recommend getting to the Xfinity Center around 5:15pm.
  • Students participating in the SPH Commencement Ceremony should report to the Xfinity Center Small Gym (Pavilion, room 0601) by 5:45pm to line up. Use Gates C and D for easy access to room 0601.

  • Each graduate should:

    • Find the Check-In/Registration tables in the Pavilion Room 0601
    • Complete the survey on the back of the card.
    • Look for the sign with your degree/major and lineup.
    • Hold on to the announcement card and give to the person reading names on stage.

  • The processional into the Xfinity Center begins at 6:oopm sharp. Students participating in commencement must be checked in at the Pavilion and lined up to process by 6:15pm. 

• Security
  • IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL GRADUATES ARRIVE ON TIME! Security measures, such as wanding or bag checks, will be in place for entrance into the Xfinity Center. Students should leave all coats, purses, etc. with a friend or family member, as no personal items will be permitted on the arena floor.
  • Clutch-sized bags no larger than 4.5" x 6.5" are permitted and do not have to be clear. Backpacks and bags larger than 4.5"x6.5" are prohibited. See bag policy. Any student who chooses to bring personal items through security will be required to go through a security check. Please be sure to allow enough time for this potential delay.
  • Visit the Items Allowed and Security Procedures link for additional information about security in the Xfinity Center 
• Personal Items
  • Students should leave all coats, purses, etc. with a friend or family member as personal items are not permitted on the arena floor. There will be no place to lock up personal belongings; neither SPH nor Xfinity Center will be responsible for lost items.

Graduates participating in the campus-wide commencement ceremony will receive color proofs by mail approximately two weeks after commencement. You are not obligated to purchase prints. For more information, contact GradImages at 800.628.4509 or visit www.gradimages.com.

Regalia Directions for Graduating Students:

• How to order Regalia
• Undergraduates: 6 Tips to Put On Your Graduation Regalia the Right Way 
  • The tassel goes on the right side!
• Masters Graduates: How to PROPERLY Wear Your Graduation Gown (start the video at 00:59);
• Dress for Commencement Success: How to Perform a Flawless Doctoral Hooding;
• Putting On Your Doctoral Hood | CAPGOWN.

Latin Honors

Latin Honors afford recognition for academic excellence achieved over the duration of a student’s entire official undergraduate coursework at the University of Maryland. Summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude are the highest Latin Honors that the university bestows for sustained excellence in scholarship. They are awarded to the top 10% of all students graduating in each College or School.

• Summa cum laude - the highest 2% of GPAs (from the specific College or School)
• Magna cum laude - the next highest 3% of GPAs (after summa cum laude)
• Cum laude - the next highest 5% of GPAs (after magna cum laude)

Latin Honors are officially annotated on the transcripts and diplomas of students who have graduated.

Because final semester grades are processed sometime after Commencement activities, identification of Latin Honors in the university's Commencement Ceremony Program are tentative and unofficial, pending the submission and calculation of all final grades for the semester of commencement.

• Students who are receiving an honors cord or tassel will be notified in early May with instructions for pick up.

Additional information on Latin Honors can be found in the  Academic Catalog.

Parking will be available in any campus parking space. Please follow the directions of any parking attendant. Parking in all pay lots is free on the day of commencement. While no special permits are needed, ADA credentials are still required in marked ADA spaces.

• View Directions to parking and shuttle services.
  • Xfinity Center
  • Terrapin Trail Garage
  • DOTS Shuttle Map 
  • Map of UMD
• Handicap parking 
  • Parking Lot 9
  • Parking Lot 11
  • Parking Lot  6 (Terrapin Trail Parking Garage)

Entrances for guest with disabilities:

• Gate C: Southeast corner of the arena on the Ground Level
• Gate D: Northeast corner of the arena on the Ground Level
• Gate E: Southwest corner of the arena on the Concourse Level
• Gate F: Northwest corner of the arena on the Concourse Level (Student Entrance)
• ADA parking is available on first come first serve basis.
• Extra ADA parking is available in Terrapin Trail Garage.

Disabled seating is available throughout XFINITY Center:

• Top of 120 and 121 - 3rd level concourse
• Elevators at section 217  (near gate A) can be used to go down to level 2 if needed. 
• Section 105 and 110 are wheelchair accessible but behind stage. Guests are welcome to sit here if they choose. 
• For guests with limited mobility issues who can access stairs, it is strongly recommended that you arrive early to ensure you are able to find a seat that meets your needs. Seating is available in section 120 Doors will open at 5:30pm, and all entrances to the stadium are accessible.

Sign Language Interpretation

• An ASL interpreter will be provided during the entire ceremony. Guests needing ASL interpretation services should be seated in section 114.
• See more Xfinity Center Accessibility Information here

Please see the clear bag policy and the Xfinity A-Z Guide for bag policy and prohibited items.

Regarding family coming from overseas: if family members are applying for a B2 tourist visa, they should be provided with a copy of the student's passport and a copy of the student's enrollment verification form. This should be sufficient, and no additional letter would be considered in their application.

Enrollment verification can be requested through Testudo. For additional information please visit the registrar website.

• The event will be live streamed via the SPH YouTube channel.  Guests will be able to follow along via the LIVE tab.
• Bag Policy: Guests - Clear bags no larger than 12"x12"x6" are permitted. They will be searched, which can delay entry, so we recommend avoiding bags if possible. Backpacks are prohibited.
• There are no tickets for this event as we have plenty of room for you and your guests!
• Flower bouquets, teddy bears, and bottles of water will be available for purchase on site.