The Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremonies are scheduled depending on the School your department is a part of: Dates are as follows: 

Thursday, May 28th, 2026: 

School of Arts and Humanities, School of Business and School of Continuing and Professional Studies

School of Natural and Social Sciences 

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026

School of Health Sciences, Human Services, and Nursing

The Graduate Ceremony (All students receiving Advanced Degrees, Master's, and Doctoral Degrees 

There will not be a rehearsal for the ceremony, but a full walkthrough will be conducted via Zoom. A recording of that session will be posted on the website and sent to the graduating students. Additionally, staff will provide instructions during the ceremony.

Yes, Honors will be recognized at the ceremony. Honors recognition is only designated for Undegraduate students. 

Students are eligible for College Latin honors at graduation if they have completed at least 50 indexable credits in residence at Lehman College, with a minimum cumulative index of 3.5. The following Latin honors may be awarded:

The official physical commencement program will be available to students at Commencement. A digital version will also be available on the morning of the ceremony online.

If you are unable to attend the ceremony, the student can be added to a later ceremony. This process is manual, and it is the student's responsibility to contact Student Affairs to be included in ceremony communications.

The Office of the Registrar notifies graduates by e-mail when diplomas are available. Ensure that your e-mail is updated in CUNYFirst. For more information, visit the Registrar’s webpage on Diploma Distribution.

 Your preferred name and gender are honored at CUNY and Lehman College.  Your preferred name as listed in CUNYfirst will be used in the program at commencement.

To change your preferred name at Lehman College, use this form.  Here are the instructions for changing your preferred name for CUNY.  If you also want your preferred name to appear on your diploma, you would need to do a legal name change.  For more information on how to obtain a legal name change, go to information via NY Courts. The process can take as long as three months, so don’t hesitate to begin now! You can request a fee waiver as well as per the information in the link.

Spring graduates who would like to participate in the Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremonies must have filed for graduation by February 18th through March 11th.

Summer graduates who would like to participate in the Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremonies must have filed for graduation by March 18th through April 8th   

Note: Students who file for graduation after April 8th  may not have their names listed in the commencement program, but will still be able to participate in the appropriate graduation ceremony. 

While those who miss the deadline would still be able to participate in the ceremony, their name may not be in the ceremony booklet, and guest tickets will be reserved for the Lovinger theatre viewing room. 

Eligible students are required to wear the official Lehman College cap and gown to Commencement. Please check the commencement website for further details.

Undergraduate students wear a black cap and gown with the college seal on the front in addition to a hood that indicates the academic school. The purchase price is $74. It is recommended students ship their cap and gown to their home for faster delivery.

Lehman College is divided into 6 Academic Schools. Every academic department belongs to one of the schools. Find out which Programs by school your department belongs to.

Distribution of Tickets will be based on your RSVP, only students who both registered for graduation and RSVP'ed for the ceremony will receive tickets to the event. 

Students can request up to 3 tickets. You will not need a ticket yourself. Gradudates can pick up their guest tickets at the Performing Arts Center ticket office during the first week in May 

Unfortunately, extra tickets are not available in advance. The availability of extra tickets will be determined only after regular ticket distribution ends. The process for requesting extra tickets is on the commencement website. There is no guarantee that extra tickets will become available.

No. Only guests need a ticket to enter campus. Guest and students use separate entrances.

Children, with the exception of infants and toddlers who remain on an adult’s lap, must have a ticket. Children are not permitted to march or sit with the graduates.

No. Commencement tickets are free. Any student engaging in the selling of tickets may be subject to disciplinary action by the college.

Refreshments may be purchased at the Performing Arts Center

Guests must remain seated so that all guests may see their graduate. Guests will not be permitted to enter the student seating area. There will be large screens visible to all guest broadcasting the ceremony 

Graduates and guests will be using various exits. Arrange a meeting location prior to the ceremony.

If you are a graduating student who requires accessible seating, please email the Office of Student Disability Services at disability.services@lehman.cuny.edu or call us at (718) 960-8441

EMS will be on standby. Consult with the nearest staff member to obtain assistance.