This year, advance degree recipients in the MIT School of Science can participate in a Commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 3pm in Kresge Auditorium. More information can be found below.

Last year, graduates of all master’s and doctoral programs through the MIT School of Science were recognized during an in-person, school-specific ceremony that took place on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

Watch the 2023 ceremony below.

Advanced degree ceremony

Honoring graduates of master’s and doctoral programs in the MIT School of Science

Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Location: Kresge Auditorium, Lord Swraj Paul PC ’52 and Angad Paul ’92 Theater
Time: 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

• Graduates, 2:00pm, line up at Johnson Ice Rink
• Guests, doors open (time TBD), four (4) tickets per graduate.
  • A ticket is required for all those ages three (3) and older. Children ages two (2) and under do not need tickets.
  • A closed caption stream provided by MIT Audiovisual Services.

Keynote speaker: Lydia Villa-Komaroff

“I was one of the early group of scientists who first used the ability to join DNA from animals or people to DNA from bacteria to make useful proteins and to study biological processes and human diseases. I’ve run an academic lab, taught medical students and graduate students, served as Vice President for Research at Northwestern University and the Whitehead Institute. I’ve been Chief Scientific Officer and CEO of Cytonome, a company that builds purpose-built cell sorters and am a member of the Board of Directors. The first company board of directors I served on was Transkaryotic Therapies (TKT). I became Chair of that board when Shire made an unsolicited offer to buy TKT, an offer that the Board and shareholders ultimately accepted. I served on the board of ATCC for 12 years and was a member of the several committees including the executive committee which I chaired for 4 years. I am a founding member of SACNAS, the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science and currently serve on the finance committee and the committee of senior advisors (COSA).”

Frequently asked questions

ADA Seating

Please fill out this form.

Regalia

Please refer to the Commencement site for additional information about obtaining regalia for the ceremony.

Guest tickets

Each graduating student will be allotted 4 guest tickets. Guest tickets are provided to candidates who are on the degree list and participating in Commencement. You will receive an email in mid-May with instructions for downloading digital guest tickets (PDFs). The tickets themselves will be available at the end of May—they are not released on completion of regalia orders.

Where do I pick up my diploma?

For more information about diplomas, please visit: registrar.mit.edu/transcripts-records/diplomas.

Advanced degree recipients may pick up their diplomas on the first floor of the Stata Center (Building 32) during the following times:

Thursday, May 30: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Friday, May 31: 10:00am to 3:00pm

Please bring your diploma case with you for pick-up; while not required, this will allow you to place the paper within right away.

More details about diplomas – paper and digital – are available on the Registrar’s Office website.

How do I order graduation photos?

Photo ordering information for the Class of 2024 will be mailed directly following the ceremonies from GradImages. Graduates will receive an email and a hard copy packet will be sent to the mailing address on file.

Where is my program and/or departmental reception?

Following the main school reception, graduates are invited by their home departments for program-specific receptions and celebrations. Please contact the individual program director or department for more information about the time and location for these events.