Frequently Asked Questions

The May 2022 commencement concert is scheduled for Friday, May 6, 2022, and the Berklee College of Music commencement ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, 2022.

If you are nearing the completion of your degree or diploma requirements (semester level six or above/level eight or above for double majors), you will receive an email in fall 2021 (please remember to check your spam folder regularly) inviting you to complete the application for graduation and to indicate whether you would like to participate in the ceremony on May 7, 2022. The deadline to apply for graduation (fall 2021, spring 2022, or summer 2022) and indicate participation in the May ceremony will be in December 2021. Please note that students are only permitted to participate in one commencement ceremony (virtual or in-person) per degree or diploma earned.

The number of tickets and invitations will not be determined until early spring 2022. Graduates who have applied for graduation will receive an email in the spring with information about ticket and invitation pick-up.

Students who apply for graduation and indicate participation in the May 2022 commencement ceremony will receive a cap, gown, hood, and tassel; these items are provided to graduates at no charge. 

Berklee College of Music's commencement ceremony will celebrate students who are graduating during the fall 2021, spring 2022, and summer 2022 semesters. Students planning to complete all requirements and graduate in the summer 2022 semester must have 16 or fewer course credits remaining (13 credits for diploma students) by the spring 2022 add/drop deadline and no course sequences that would require future enrollment beyond the summer 2022 semester. Please note that students are only permitted to participate in one commencement ceremony (virtual or in-person) per degree or diploma earned. See the Requirements for Graduation and Applying to Graduate pages for more information.

We anticipate that the ceremony will last approximately two and a half hours.

Berklee College of Music will announce honorary degree recipients in March or April.

If your 2022 graduation application is approved by the Office of the Registrar, you will receive detailed information via email in spring 2022 about how to formally apply to participate in the Berklee College of Music commencement concert. There will be opportunities for performers, arrangers, and track/mock-up production assistants within the concert, which will pay tribute to the honorees.

To be considered, you must be eligible to participate in the May 2022 Berklee College of Music commencement ceremony. Check the graduation eligibility requirements and commencement participation information (page 64).

The Commencement Speaker Application (login required) will be available in March. You must attach a copy of your speech to the form. Your speech must not exceed five minutes in length. The student commencement speaker will be announced in April.  

Personalized graduation announcements that can be sent to family and friends can be ordered online at Balfour.com.

For general questions about commencement, please complete this form (login required) or email studentaffairs@berklee.edu. For questions about graduation requirements, diplomas, transcripts, and how honors are determined, contact gradspecialist@berklee.edu.