Preparing for Commencement
It can feel like there's a lot to do before the big day on May 18.
This page is your guide to making sure you've done everything you need to do before the celebration begins!
This page is your guide to making sure you've done everything you need to do before the celebration begins!
Be a Part of the history of YDS!
This class composite will be on the walls for a very long time and will be archived as part of the history of the school, so dress accordingly (clerical collars are ok!) There is no cost for the photoshoot.
REGISTER FOR THE COMPOSITE HERE. (graduating students only).
Every graduate will receive a copy of the final class composite as a personal memento at the Commencement Rehearsal (May 14).
Questions on the photos? Email divinity.alumni@yale.edu
The deadline to change your diploma name is April 6. Don't delay, do it today!
We recommend that your diploma name matches your official legal documents/identification records (e.g., passport, permanent id card, transcript). Degree verifications for employment and future academic study have been complicated in the past due to names not matching official records.
Please Note: Questions under this section should be directed to the Registrar's Office. OSA cannot help with Yale Hub troubleshooting, or your diploma name change.
Regalia ordering for Commencement 2026 opens on February 2. Read below for more information on ordering options.
To read more about your order and distribution dates and instructions, click here: https://asa.yale.edu/agencies/caps-gowns.
You MUST order your regalia through Yale Associated Student Agencies by April 10 , 4PM. No orders will be processed after this time.
A late fee is applied to orders made after March 27, 4:00 PM.
Ordering and distribution is carried out not by YDS/OSA, but by Yale Associated Student Agencies. If you are struggling to afford or purchase regalia, please contact Dean Vicki Flippin.
For the Yale University Ceremony downtown at Old Campus, please refer here for more information on accessibility services.
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Accessibility and accommodations for the YDS Diploma Ceremony are made on as needed basis. Please contact osa.yds@yale.edu should you require assistance or further information by April 13.
All graduating students are required to register for Commencement. Even if you are not attending your Commencement, we require information to assist in the planning of this major event in the school year!
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Registration is completed via this link: cglink.me/2dA/r2316055
You must register by April 24, 5:00 p.m.
Only graduating students register. Families and guests do not need to register their attendance; the graduating student provides details about their guests in the registration process.
Recipients of certificate awards are invited to attend a lunch to receive their certificate on Sat May 16.
For the Yale Ceremony on Old Campus, each graduating student receives two guest tickets.
You will receive an email from “Yale Commencement Office” or "Yale University Events" by March 24 with a link to register for these tickets - check your inbox. You should also notify via this registration process if either of your guests have accessibility needs (assisted listening, ASL interpreters, assisted seating etc.)
Visit the Office of International Student and Scholars (OISS) for more information regarding support of temporary travel visas to visit the USA for Commencement activities.
Depending on which country you are travelling from, there may be delays in processing a visa. Do not delay on starting this process.
Letters of invitation can be requested from the Registrar's Office (divinityregistrar@yale.edu)
Review the information on Yale University's main Commencement website.
HOTELS | TRANSPORTATION | FAQs
Commencement Day occurs rain or shine, so you and your guests should dress according to the weather forecast; sensible shoes are recommended for uneven/slippery ground.
We provide ponchos in the event of rain (branded too!)
Should severe weather occur (such as lightning, thunderstorms etc.) the ceremony is moved inside and split into two parts; MDiv and MAR. Should this be the case, you will receive an email from us, and staff will be onsite to announce this to you and your guests.
It is expected that all graduating YDS students attend the ceremonies on May 19 with their peers. If you have questions, or need to discuss missing either/both ceremonies, please email osa.yds@yale.edu.
We recommend wearing business or business casual attire with comfortable shoes beneath your graduation regalia. Dress according to weather report (heat, rain, etc.)
Distribution is at Payne Whitney Gym - bring your ID card. Check the Yale University Commencement website for more information on pickup instructions.
You can obtain a visa letter from the Registrar's Office of the Yale Divinity School.
Yes! YDS provides a shuttle bus on Commencement Day for families and guests to shuttle from the YDS Campus (409 Prospect St.) to the Yale Ceremony held at Old Campus on the morning of May 19. The shuttle bus drops people off at Phelp's Gate (the main entrance to the downtown ceremony.)
The shuttle bus starts at 8:00 AM and runs until 12:45 PM.
This shuttle also runs after the downtown ceremony to help get people back up to YDS in time for our afternoon ceremony on the YDS campus. (the YDS Diploma Ceremony starts at 12:45 PM.) You can view the map below!
The shuttle bus is marked with a "Divinity" sign in the window.