Tufts University School of Medicine

Information for Master's Degree Graduates

The Phase II Ceremony is for the School of Medicine's graduate programs: Master of Public Health (MPH),  MS - Biomedical Sciences (MBS), MS - Health Informatics and Analytics (HIA), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), and MS - Physician Assistant (PA) Program.

The Phase II ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 4pm on the Tufts University main campus on the Carmichael Quadrangle.

Arrival Time

Graduates attending the Phase II TUSM Graduate Programs ceremony should report to Carmichael Hall and check in with the Student Services Staff by 3:00pm for line up.

Caps & Gowns

You will be required to apply to graduate through SIS in order to walk in the commencement ceremony. As part of the application, you’ll include your height in feet and inches and we will use that information to order your cap and gown at no cost to you. Once you have applied you will be notified by the TUSM GP Office of Student Services when to pick up your cap and gown. Information about how to apply will be sent to you from the Office of the Registrar in early spring.

Seating

The commencement ceremony does not offer reserved or ticketed seating. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Photographs

Guests are welcome to take photographs but are asked to refrain from blocking the aisles or interfering with the other guests’ views of the ceremony. Please be respectful of all graduates and guests. There will also be plenty of opportunities to take photographs after the ceremony. We have arranged for photographs to be taken of each graduate at the ceremony. Detailed information about ordering photos will be sent directly to graduating students.

Weather & Attire

The weather in May is sometimes unpredictable and we encourage guests to dress accordingly. We recommend dressing appropriately and wearing comfortable shoes (heels are discouraged) as the tent is set up in a grassy area. Do not bring any personal belongings that cannot be taken with you. We will not have the ability to store personal items.

Accommodations

Accommodations for guests with disabilities and special needs:  If students or guests require access accommodations at Commencement, please email the Office of Student Services at tusmgpstudentservices@tufts.edu before April 1.  Requests made after this date may impact the University's ability to effectively provide reasonable accommodation.

Service Animals

Whether you are a graduating student or a guest, service animals—as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are allowed at commencement ceremonies. All other animals are prohibited from university commencement ceremonies. Please note that emotional support animals, comfort animals, and therapy dogs are not service animals under Title II and Title III of the ADA.

Parking

Parking on Commencement Day will be available in all university parking areas. Parking facilities will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The university is located in a residential neighborhood and street parking is extremely limited. You should allow yourself extra time to secure parking since there will be significant traffic on the Medford campus that morning. We recommend that you carpool if possible. Some guests have found it to be more convenient to use a taxi service or public transportation. A university shuttle will be making regular trips from the Davis Square - Red Line MBTA station to the main campus. More information regarding the shuttle service is available on the Commencement website.

Hotel Reservations & Travel Arrangements

There are a number of hotels in the Boston area. Please inquire with the hotels directly to see if they offer special Tufts rates. Family members are urged to make arrangements and reservations as soon as possible because space is at a premium this time of year. For more information on planning your visit to Tufts, including listings for local hotels, please visit the Tufts Travel website. In addition, a limited amount of on-campus housing for Commencement Weekend is available in the dormitories on the Medford Campus at a significantly reduced rate. More information is available on the Housing Page of the main Commencement web site.

Calendar of Events During Commencement Week

Join us for other activities and events to celebrate your accomplishment.

  • May 2, 2024 – must rsvp by 4/22.

    • Indigenous Center Graduation Ceremony
      • Cabot Center, 170 Packard Ave, Medford Campus 4:00pm. All are invited to join the Indigenous community in celebrating the graduation of our Indigenous students! Our students have undoubtedly made their mark on the indigenous community at Tufts, and we want to give them the warmest of departures from our campus into the real world. As a community, we know our graduates will continue to be trailblazers and advocates for all Indigenous people! RSVP by April 22nd : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfzNL4M1b8Epufgu9QsL2uap0rzZiV1XfW11fs9lmMb-LklQg/viewform

    • Class of 2024 Brunch: School of Medicine, TUSM Graduate Programs, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, and Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy: 
      • President Kumar will host a brunch to celebrate the Class of 2024 graduates of the School of Medicine, TUSM Graduate Programs, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, and Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. The brunch will be held on Friday, May 10 from 11a.m. – 1 p.m. at Tufts University School of Medicine, 4th Floor, 145 Harrison Avenue, Boston. RSVP here by May 1. Questions can be emailed to president@tufts.edu.
    • TUSM GP Student Senate Celebration at Sissy K’s: 
      • Details TBA

    • Lavender Graduation
      • Lav Grad will take place on Tuesday, May 14 from 5-6:30pm in Alumnae Lounge. Participants will be provided with dinner and dessert with community to celebrate one another and your accomplishments. Register by May 1.

    • TUSM GP Class of 2024 Graduation Dinner: 
      • Graduating students are invited to a fun-filled night at the Hyatt to celebrate each other and their accomplishments! Invites are emailed directly to graduating students. Questions? Email: tusmgpstudentservices@tufts.edu
    • Alumni and Guests Chaplaincy Open House: 
      • Goddard Chapel, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
    • Tufts Night at Pops: 
      • Boston Pops Concert, Symphony Hall. Don’t miss fellow Tufts families, students, alumni, and Jumbo community members at the 121st Tufts Night at Pops—our longest-running tradition and a special way to celebrate both commencement and reunion weekend. The deadline for purchasing tickets is April 21. To purchase tickets, visit the Alumni and Friends website or contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at alumni@tufts.edu or 617-627-3532.

    • Honos Civicus Induction Ceremony: 
      • The Honos Civicus induction ceremony at 11:00am in Cohen Auditorium. Honos Civicus inductees will be honored during special ceremonies alongside their peers, get a certificate from the dean of their school and the dean of Tisch College, receive a pin to wear on their commencement gown, and are officially recognized during graduation.

    • Medical Dean's Open House:
      • Dean Helen Boucher, MD, is hosting an open house in honor of the Class of 2024. The Open House will be held in the Medical Education Building, 4th Floor Café on the Boston campus. This event is an informal gathering with passed hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. We hope you take this opportunity socialize with classmates and their families, faculty, and administration (there is no formal program). Many families find that stopping in at this event is a nice start to a celebratory evening. Guests are welcome to stop by anytime between 3pm - 5pm. Due to space limitations, we ask that students RSVP to the email invitation that was sent to you with a maximum of 5 guests.
    • Candlelight Procession Up the Hill:
      • Starting at the Mayer Campus Center patio, 10:30 p.m.
    • Illumination Ceremony: 
      • President's Lawn, 10:45 p.m. Ceremonial welcome to Tufts' newest alumni, the Class of 2024. Call the Office of Alumni Engagement, 617-627-3526, for information about this event and other Alumni Weekend activities, or visit the Office of Alumni Engagement web site at alumniandfriends.tufts.edu.