FAQ

October 2023 and February 2024 graduates and May 2024 degree candidates are invited to attend the varying ceremonies in May. October 2024 degree candidates are allowed to participate as a "walk through" if they have no more than six credits to complete the program by the end of the spring 2024 term.  Please contact your academic department for eligibility. It is important to note that "walking" in the ceremony does not constitute degree conferral. 

University Commencement, held on the South Lawn of the Morningside Campus, is a ceremony that includes all of Columbia's schools, colleges, and affiliate institutions. Degrees are symbolically conferred en masse upon candidates by the President of the University. Class Day, held at the Armory, is Mailman School of Public Health's own ceremony to honor the accomplishments of our graduating students where each graduate has the opportunity to be announced and walk across the stage. 

Columbia Public Health degree candidates may request up to six (6) tickets for guests (not including themselves) for the Class Day ceremony and up to two (2) tickets for guests for the University Commencement ceremony. Ticket requests will take place in the same platform. Information on requesting tickets will be posted here. Digital tickets will be distributed to those who request them and will be required at entry. Individuals who do not present a ticket will not be allowed to enter.

Doors will open one hour before the ceremony begins.

Please refer to the University Commencement website for the most up to date information on COVID-19 protocols. 

Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health is committed to providing an accessible and welcoming environment for students and their invited guests, and it encourages all persons to participate in its programs and activities. Students will be given the opportunity to provide any accommodations requests when they RSVP for the Mailman School of Public Health Class Day ceremony. Students or guests are welcome to contact the Office of Enrollment Management should they have any questions or concerns. 

Accessible Seating 

Guests with a mobility or physical disability or the elderly needing assistance should enter the New Balance Track and Field Center (Armory) at 216 Fort Washington Avenue (accessible entrance). Event Host staff will have wheelchairs available to help escort guests needing assistance to the seating area. No reservation is required for assistance or for seating. However, seating in the Accessible section will be limited to parties of 6 and will be available on a first come first serve basis. 

Should attendants prefer, they may contact Disability Services with any specific requests for information about accessibility of the venues for these commencement ceremonies or to request accommodations. Disability Services can be reached via email at access@columbia.edu or at 212-854-2388. 

Parking and Transportation Information 

Due to the limited supply of on-site parking at the Medical Center, the Facilities Office is unable to issue any guest vouchers or parking permits for CUIMC students or guests at this time. Helpful information on arriving to campus and parking is available here.

The live broadcast for the Columbia Public Health Commencement Ceremony is accessible via the Share in the Celebration website.

The more the merrier! The live broadcast for the Columbia Public Health Commencement Ceremony is accessible via the Share in the Celebration website. 

Regalia is required to participate in Commencement activities.

Absolutely. The recording will be posted to the Columbia Public Health YouTube channel and available on our website soon after the ceremony. 

You betcha! Join the celebration with #ColumbiaPublicHealth, #ColumbiaCommencement, and #Columbia2024. Don't forget to tag @columbia and @columbiapublichealth in your posts. 

Diplomas are mailed to students approximately six to eight weeks after graduation. Please be sure to have an updated diploma address in Student Services Online. Note: a permanent address and local address is not a diploma address. Students who did not submit a diploma address will see a delay in their diploma's arrival. 

Any questions should be directed to msph-enrollment@cumc.columbia.edu.