December 2026 Commencement

Tickets are not required at the Altria Theater. Graduates may bring as many guests as they would like.

December 2026 Commencement

Parking will be free for graduates and their guests at the VCU West Main Street Deck and the West Cary Street Deck, the closest locations to the Altria.

Students should arrive wearing their cap, gown and hood for check-in. You will enter through a rear door at Altria along Main Street and facing back toward Cherry Street. You will go downstairs to the ballroom to prepare for the ceremony.

At check-in, students will be given a name (also referred to as a reader card) card to fill out. Students will line up based on the number on this card to ensure they come on stage as noted in the program and friends and family will know when their student’s turn is coming. Students will have the opportunity to write out their name phonetically on this card to ensure their name is read accurately. Students will need to hold onto this card until they cross the stage.

December 2026 Commencement

Order regalia and class rings from the Monroe Park Barnes & Noble or order online. 

Check the VCU Commencement site for updates about fall Grad Fair dates for December graduates.

Be advised that the processional and recessional involve navigating several sets of stairs. Please wear shoes that you can comfortably walk in. See below for information on wheelchair accessibility.

December 2026 Commencement

The following items are prohibited at the Altria Theater. See more details and information about the venue's bag policy. 

• Oversized bags (maximum size allowed is 12" x 8" x 6")
• Backpacks
• Laptop Bags
• Boxes
• Briefcases
• Outside food items
• Outside beverage items
• Cans, bottles, coolers, or similar containers
• Video cameras
• Audio recorders
• Laser pens or laser products
• Noisemaking devices (horns, whistles, etc)
• Projectiles (frisbees, beach balls, etc)
• Banners or signs
• Stickers
• Skateboards, skates, or scooters
• Firearms or weapons of any kind
• Sticks or poles
• Illegal drugs or substances
• Fireworks or other incendiary devices
• Strollers (must remain in lobby)
• Any other item deemed unacceptable by Altria Theater management, performing Artists, or promoters

No outside food or drink is permitted. Please note that staff will not allow balloons or glass into the building, including gifts such as picture frames.

A professional photographer will photograph each graduate during the ceremony. Graduates must fill out their contact information on the reader card in order to be contacted by the photography company after the ceremony. 

December 2026 Commencement

VCU's university-wide ceremony will be at 10 a.m. ET Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Siegel Center. 

Check the graduate info page for more details as VCU begins to update for fall semester.

December 2026 Commencement

The Mosaic Celebration is a joyful and vibrant gathering that honors the perseverance and academic accomplishments of graduates while recognizing the rich history, culture, traditions and contributions that shape the VCU community. This celebration, sponsored by the VCU Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, embraces the fullness of our campus community, and is open to all graduating students. 

Stay tuned for more details about registering for fall ceremonies for December graduates. For general questions or updates on the ceremony please email Jair Lecky (leckyjj@vcu.edu).

December 2026 Commencement

Accessibility at the Altria Theater: Please review the Altria website for details around service animals, elevators, restrooms, wheelchair seating and more. 

Parking: the VCU West Main Street and West Cary Street parking decks are both nearby and offer accommodative parking options. Details 

December 2026 Commencement

Check VCU's grad info page for official dates later in Fall 2026.

Degrees typically post 2-3 weeks after graduation and will then show on your academic transcript. Physical diplomas are typically mailed in late January. 

VCU now offers digital diplomas! These are certified electronic credentials known as a CeDiploma! You will receive an email with a link to download your credential when it is available from our trusted partner, CeCredentialTrust. This service is available to students at a charge of $17.95. Digital (CeDiplomas) diplomas will be available for download at the same time physical diplomas are mailed.

To receive your diploma, you must meet all financial obligations to the university. Diplomas will not be released for those students who have not met their financial obligations. Please contact the Office of the University Registrar at (804) 827-1673 or graduation@vcu.edu once those obligations have been met.

Graduates, we hope you will continue to remain engaged with the School of Social Work as alumni and take pride in our national standing as one of the nation’s top schools of social work and the highest-ranked in Virginia.

Whether it's making small contributions to the school when you can, working with your employer to serve as a field placement site, or volunteering your time, your participation in the life of the school has an amazing impact on the students who come next. Join the 12,000+ alumni of the School of Social Work nationwide, and together we can open doors for the next generation of changemakers!

We want to stay connected by sending you our alumni newsletter; and by sharing events, networking and professional development or continuing education opportunities.

SSW connections

• Share your interests.
• View SSW continuing education opportunities.
• Browse SSW alumni events.
• Join our LinkedIn alumni group.
• Continue to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

VCU connections

• Update your contact information, including a permanent, non-VCU email address that you regularly check.
• Sign up for VCULink, VCU’s online community for connecting students, alumni and friends of the university for career advice, industry contacts and meaningful professional relationships.
• Explore VCU continuing education opportunities.
• Check out volunteer and mentoring opportunities.
• Browse the VCU alumni calendar.
• Make a donation.
• Sign up with Handshake to find or share job postings.

If you have questions or need assistance, you can contact the school’s alumni team at (804) 828-0154 or give2vcussw@vcu.edu.