From the pop and sparkle of fireworks to the buzz and beat of New Orleans Jazz, Tulane's commencement is an experience unlike any other. In New Orleans and at Tulane we march to the beat of our own drum, and that spirit is infused into every part of commencement weekend. The University Commencement ceremony, where degrees are conferred, as well as individual school ceremonies and other Commencement activities will be held the week of May 11, 2026 with ceremonies taking place Thursday, May 14, Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16.
The Unified Commencement ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 16, 5:00 p.m. at the Caesars Superdome. At this special milestone ceremony, which will feature an academic procession, keynote speaker, and live jazz, President Michael A. Fitts will officially confer degrees upon all Tulane University degree candidates (undergraduate, graduate, and professional).
Gates open at 3:30 p.m. for guests.
The Unified Commencement ceremony will be livestreamed on this website.
In addition to the Unified Commencement ceremony, graduates are invited to the ceremony of the school awarding their degree. At these ceremonies, graduates’ names are called individually as they cross the stage. Visit the Schedule page for the full list of school ceremonies.
For questions regarding individual school ceremonies and events, please contact the following:
- A. B. Freeman School of Business: Business.Commencement@tulane.edu
- Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine: sphtmgraduation@tulane.edu
- Law School: lawacademicservices@tulane.edu
- School of Architecture and Built Environment: acruz5@tulane.edu
- School of Liberal Arts: libarts@tulane.edu
- School of Medicine: SOMevents@tulane.edu
- School of Professional Advancement: ehoff@tulane.edu
- School of Science and Engineering: sseevents@tulane.edu
- School of Social Work: tsswgraduation@tulane.edu
Check back in May for the school ceremonies' livestream information.
Tickets will be required for everyone (graduates and guests) to enter the Caesars Superdome and student lineup areas. Graduates received an email in April from TUgrad@tulane.edu with the subject line “Register Now for the 2026 Tulane Unified Commencement Ceremony” containing instructions to register and retrieve Unified Commencement tickets via Tassel. Once graduates register, they are able to print tickets and/or send them to guests’ email addresses.
- Graduates will receive a separate graduate ticket from their guest tickets.
- Each graduate will receive up to 20 guest tickets (not including the graduate’s ticket).
- All guests 2 years and older must have their own ticket.
- Graduates can send all tickets to the same email address(es), but the tickets will arrive in individual emails.
Tickets will not be required for individual ceremonies.
Guest Parking & Shuttle Service
Parking is available for purchase at Caesars Superdome both Friday (school diploma ceremonies) and Saturday (unified ceremony). Parking can be purchased at the following links:
See the Caesars Superdome Maps for reference regarding locations.
Parking for ceremonies on the Uptown campus will be in in the Diboll Parking Garage.
There will also be a shuttle on a continuous loop from the Diboll Garage uptown to the Caesars Superdome.
Friday, May 15
Continuous shuttle service: Diboll Garage ↔ Superdome
Start: 7:00 AM
Last departure from Superdome: 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 16
Continuous shuttle service: Diboll Garage ↔ Superdome
Start: 2:00 PM
Last departure from Superdome: 9:00 p.m.
Graduates and guests can also arrive via taxi or rideshare drop off by setting their destination to Poydras Street between Lasalle and Loyola (outside the Superdome on Poydras).
Guest entrances are located at Gates B and C on the Plaza Level of the Caesars Superdome. Seating is general admission and available on a first come, first served basis. Guests may also consult the Superdome maps for additional guidance on accessing seating.
Please note that only working staff/volunteers, graduates, faculty and platform party members are permitted in the graduate line-up area or on the floor of the Caesars Superdome. Guests are encouraged to arrange a meeting location with their graduates after the ceremony for photographs.
The University's Clear Bag Policy will be in effect for Unified Commencement and all other school-based diploma and hooding ceremonies. Approved bags are as follows:
- Clear totes or bags no larger than 12" x 12" x 6".
- Small, non-clear clutch bags no larger than 4.5" x 6.5".
- Plastic, resealable storage bags no larger than one (1) gallon.
The following items are not allowed into any commencement-related event or student line-up areas and will be confiscated: flags, banners, signs of any size or type; alcohol; artificial noisemakers (including drums, thunder sticks, or other instruments); any type of bag not permitted by the Clear Bag Policy; contraband; containers of any kind; bottles and cans; coolers; fireworks; flammables; footballs or throwing objects; glass; laser pointers; outside food and beverages; projectiles; stadium seatback chairs with aluminum/metal; stickers; sticks; bats; poles; clubs; strollers (collapsible umbrella strollers that fit under guest’s seat are permitted); weapons (even with concealed weapons permit); drones; or any other item(s) deemed unacceptable by stadium security and Tulane University.
- Handheld umbrellas, including graduating students' second line umbrellas, are permitted and will be inspected upon arrival.
Details about any commencement-related changes will be communicated by:
- Updates on the Commencement website.
- Commencement update emails: sign up here.
- Sign up for text alerts by texting tugrad to 888777.Text message updates will be sent by the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response.
- The university's main social media channels (Instagram: @tulaneu, Twitter/X: @Tulane).
It is generally warm and humid in New Orleans in May, so graduates and guests should plan their attire accordingly. While there is no set dress code for most of the activities during commencement weekend, attire usually ranges from business casual to dressier options and is highly dependent on the variety of activities guests have planned.
Tulane University strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To be respectful of those with allergies and environmental sensitivities, we ask that you please refrain from wearing strong fragrances.
ADA entrance and drop-off will be available at Gate A Ground Level (Poydras side). Superdome staff will be willing and able to assist guests in need of a wheelchair or assistance to their seats.
Guests using the ADA Entrance at Gate A Ground are limited to one person to assist them with entry. They may connect with the rest of their party once inside of the Caesars Superdome.
ADA parking will be available in the VIP East lot as well as West Gate A Ground, and it is pay-to-park and first come, first serve.
Superdome staff are available to assist guests. Wheelchairs may be requested for transport only and are not available for personal use during the ceremony.
Accessible seating, including semi-ambulatory options and removable armrests, are available throughout the Caesars Superdome. Group seating cannot be guaranteed, but nearby first-come, first-served seating is often available; early arrival is recommended.
Guests who are able to transfer to a standard seat and bring a walker or wheelchair should note that these mobility devices cannot be kept in aisles or beside seats. Superdome staff will collect and securely store the device nearby during the ceremony. A companion may retrieve it from the designated storage area at the conclusion of the event.
Closed-captioning will be provided on video monitors and on the ceremony livestream.
Tulane University provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with the ADA and Section 504 with advance notice.
Mobility devices cannot be kept in aisles or beside seats and will be securely stored during the ceremony.
Tulane University will provide reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act with sufficient notice.
Photographers will be at each ceremony to take photos as students are graduating, and information regarding ordering these photos will be communicated at a later date closer to the ceremonies.
Tulane memorabilia including diploma frames are available to order from the Tulane Bookstore. Contact the bookstore at 504-865-5913 for more information or to place an order by phone.
Show your pride with your Tulane class ring and share your graduation news with official Tulane announcements! Undergraduate students who have completed 60 credit hours and graduate students who have completed half of their required coursework are eligible to purchase their Tulane Ring. Order your rings and announcements from the Balfour website or by calling 1-866-255-3687 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Production time for announcements is 7-10 business days.
Visit the Travel Information page for details about special discounts and benefits for Tulane travelers attending Spring Commencement.
Commencement Questions? Please check the Commencement FAQs page for any updates and direct any other questions to TUgrad@tulane.edu.
Sign up to receive updates from the Commencement planning team.
