We are looking forward to celebrating our graduates from the Class of 2025 on May 23 at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Please check this page for updates and announcements about our plans for Commencement 2025. If you have any questions regarding commencement, please contact Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Dean of Students for Upper-Division Gemma Forest at forest@cua.edu.
Cap and Gown
All graduates who attend commencement are required to wear academic regalia. Graduating students who are members of the United States Armed Services are allowed to wear dress uniform in lieu of academic apparel.
Information on how to purchase Commencement regalia will be sent to students in January.
Announcements
Share the good news about your graduation with family and friends!
Our partners at Balfour offer a variety of personalized announcements. Review pricing and packages here.
Area Lodging
The Catholic University of America is located in Northeast Washington, D.C., at 620 Michigan Ave., NE. There are hundreds of hotels in the area, but ones suggested on this page are easily Metro accessible or close to campus.
Commencement Schedule of Events
Thursday, May 22
Ex Corde Fellowship Ceremony — 1 p.m., Walter A. Slowinski Courtroom, Law School A ceremony for graduating students designated as Ex Corde Fellows. The program will take place at 1 p.m., with a reception to follow. For further information, please contact Elizabeth Kirk at kirke@cua.edu, Marc DeGirolami at degirolami@cua.edu, or Kevin Walsh at walshkc@cua.edu.
Institutes and Special Programs Certificate Ceremony — 2 p.m., Byron Auditorium, Law School
A certificate presentation ceremony for students in the Comparative and International Law Institute, the Compliance, Investigations & Corporate Responsibility Program, the Law and Public Policy Program, the Law and Technology Institute, and the Securities Law Program will take place at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow. For further information, please call the Office of Institutes and Special Programs (319-6081) or email Constantia Dedoulis at dedoulis@law.edu.
Mass — 4:30 p.m., St. Vincent’s Chapel, John McCormack Road
A Mass of Thanksgiving will be celebrated for the graduates at 4:30 p.m. at St. Vincent’s Chapel. All graduates are invited to attend with family and friends. Graduates should sit with their families and academic apparel should not be worn to the Mass. A shuttle will be available from the Law School to St. Vincent’s Chapel, which is a short walk from the Law School. If you have a family member who is a Roman Catholic priest and interested in concelebrating the Mass, please contact the Office of Student Life and Special Events as soon as possible.
The Graduation Committee presents the Class of 2025 Friends and Family Celebration — 5:45 p.m., Heritage Hall, 597-599 Michigan Avenue.
Friday, May 23
Commencement Ceremony — 10:30 a.m., Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Seating for guests attending the law school commencement will begin after 10 a.m. The academic procession will enter the Shrine at 10:20 a.m.
Reception — approximately 12 p.m., University Lawn
Immediately following the Commencement ceremony, Dean Payne and the Faculty will host a reception for graduates, families and friends on the lawn. In case of inclement weather, the reception will be moved indoors.
Parking
Guests attending the Law School commencement ceremony are encouraged to park in the lot across the street from the Shrine in the Shrine’s West parking lot on Harewood Road and Michigan Avenue, or the McMahon Parking lot adjacent to the Pryzbyla Center. The University garage will also be open for parking, but your guests will have an easier trip to the Shrine from the first two parking areas.
Webcast
The commencement ceremony will be live-streamed. The Class of 2024's Commencement Ceremony may be viewed here.