CS PhD/MS Ceremony: Important Deadlines & Instructions

If you have completed all degree milestone requirements for your PhD program and have applied to graduate through Axess, you are eligible to attend the CS Ceremony. Please refer to the following pages for detailed requirements:

PhD | Program Requirements | Computer Science
PhD | Progress Guidelines | Computer Science

If you have completed all milestones and expect to finish your Oral Examination by May 22, you must submit a walkthrough petition to phdstudentservices@cs.stanford.edu, with your advisor’s approval, in order to attend the ceremony.

If your degree was conferred during the previous academic year but you did not attend last year’s commencement ceremony, you are still eligible to participate. Please email phdstudentservices@cs.stanford.edu to request approval.

For students eligible to attend the ceremony and participating in the CS commencement, please complete this short survey by Friday, May 22, at 5:00 PM. Please note that the same survey will be sent out via email to all CS PhD students participating in the CS commencement.

For Master's and Coterm Students:

Please check your eligibility status via the CS Commencement Ceremony Dynamic View (this is intended only for BSCS, MSCS, and Coterm students).

If you believe there is an issue with your eligibility status, you are encouraged to check the following (see below) before contacting the CS Ceremony team (commencement@cs.stanford.edu) for support. Our CS Student Services team will continue to monitor your eligibility status weekly in case of any changes, right up until the Final Study List deadline (Friday, April 17th).

You may be eligible to attend the CS Ceremony if one of the following applies to you:

• BS students must have completed 160 undergraduate units
• MS students must have completed 36 graduate units

For Master's, Coterm, and Bachelor's Students:

Once you receive an email confirmation (from SmartSheet or Tassel) that you are listed as eligible to participate in the Spring 2026 CS Department Commencement ceremony, you can confirm your attendance by completing the Tassel form for your respective CS commencement ceremony.

The Tassel form allows our team and faculty readers to collect your phonetic name pronunciation, degree plan(s), and the information you need to access digital tickets for you and your guests.

For PhD Students:
PhD graduates, please confirm eligibility by contacting the CS PhD Student Services team at phdstudentservices@cs.stanford.edu.

No.

CS Coterms must select only one ceremony to attend and participate in.

If you will be conferring or walking for both the BS and MS degrees, your degrees will be displayed on the screen.

No.

Yes, students can participate in one CS Ceremony per degree awarded/received.

Yes! Graduates do not need a ticket to enter Frost. However, you are required to have a stage pass to walk the stage. Reserve your stage pass in advance on Tassel.

Log in to Tassel and reserve your free mobile stage pass in advance. Stage passes will be immediately downloaded on to mobile device.

Please have your stage pass downloaded to your mobile device prior to the CS Ceremony. Don't forget to bring your mobile device to your CS Ceremony.

No.

All guests will need free mobile tickets for entry into the Frost Amphitheater. Tickets can be reserved and sent to guests after completing the Tassel registration form.

Graduates do not need a ticket to enter Frost. However, you are required to have a mobile stage pass to walk the stage.

The Stanford Commencement is a separate event held at the Stanford Stadium, go here for ticketing information. 

Yes.

Guests will need free mobile tickets for entry into the Frost Amphitheater.

Graduates do not need a ticket to enter Frost Amphitheater. However, they are required to have a mobile stage pass to walk the stage. Stage passes will be sent out after completing the Tassel registration form.

Reservations: Graduates may reserve free mobile tickets on Tassel in advance. Tickets can be emailed to guests after completing the Tassel registration form. Graduates can request up to 5 mobile tickets on Tassel and should send tickets to their guests ahead of time, as guests will have a separate entrance.

The Stanford Commencement is a separate event held at the Stanford Stadium, go here for ticketing information. 

Each graduate can request up to 5 guest tickets.

Tassel is a graduation ceremony management platform used by universities and schools to handle things like: ceremony registration, RSVPs and guest ticketing for ceremonies. The Tassel form allows our team and faculty readers to collect your phonetic name pronunciation and degree plan(s). 

Tassel will only be accessible to students who are eligible to attend the ceremony. Once your eligibility has been verified you will receive an email from Tassel to set up an account and register for your stage pass and guest tickets.

May 22, 2026

Professional photographers and videographers will beautifully capture each graduate on stage receiving their diploma.

Our professional photographers know how to shoot without blocking views or creating distractions for the audience. So, be fully present and enjoy the moment rather than viewing it through a screen.

High quality, professional-grade photos and videos will be available for purchase, more details coming.

Yes, each ceremony will have a live YouTube streaming.

Yes, the live YouTube streaming will stay online and can be accessed after the ceremonies using the URL that will be provided.

Commencement is Stanford’s main ceremony held in Stanford Stadium, bringing together all graduating seniors and advanced degree graduates with their families. The event includes:

The procession
President’s address
Keynote speaker
Degree conferrals

The ceremony from the processional start to the recessional of the stage members lasts approximately two hours. Graduates do not have their names called, walk across the stage, or receive diplomas at the main ceremony. This occurs at their individual school or department ceremonies.

Water will be provided.

Please note that food will not be provided at the CS Department Ceremonies. We encourage graduates and their families to plan accordingly.

For PhD/MS graduates:The university-wide, main Commencement ceremony concludes at 11:30 a.m., and the CS department Diploma Ceremony will begin at 1:00 p.m. PhD/MS graduates and their families should plan accordingly and arrange lunch between ceremonies.

After the Ceremony, enjoy mingling, photo opportunities, and cookies at The Grove, located just outside of Frost.

If you are a CS coterminal student and planning on participating as a walkthrough for the MSCS Ceremony, please read the requirements below.

• MSCS walkthroughs require 36 units, including courses in progress on their graduate transcript, to be eligible to participate as a walkthrough for the MSCS commencement ceremony.
• To transfer units from your undergraduate transcript to your graduate transcript, please submit a Coterminal Course Transfer eform in Axess.
• You will not be eligible to participate in the CS PhD & MS Ceremony (for PhD and Master’s students) if the required units do not appear on your graduate transcript.

Please ensure that all required units are transferred before contacting the CS Ceremony team to re-evaluate your eligibility.

There are no letters or documents required by the U.S. Department of State from Stanford University, its schools, or departments related to your family/visitor’s visa application process. For information about the official application process and documentation, visit the U.S. Department of State’s website. We have provided a brief summary page related to the B-2 visa process for general reference purposes.  If you have additional questions, please contact Stanford's Bechtel International Center.

For students who are confirmed eligible to graduate in June 2026, if your family members are not United States citizens or permanent residents of the United States, they will need a temporary tourist visa. For more information regarding visa types and the application process, please visit the U.S. Department of State website.  Your family may also reach out to their nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for information related to their application process. 

• Drop-off for guests with state-issued or temporary Stanford-issued disabled parking permits is available in front of Frost Amphitheater by the Lasuen Gate.
• Guests who require mobility assistance are welcome to bring their own wheelchair. Unfortunately, wheelchairs cannot be supplied for guests.
• ADA seating will be available for guests and one accompanying member of their party.