Students wear graduate caps and gowns for a ceremony
 

Commencement Frequently Asked Questions

When is the intent to graduate deadline?

It is important that students who expect to graduate in spring 2026 file their intent to graduate during the determined window (January 2-26, 2026).

If I do not file during the intent to graduate window of January 2-26, 2026, does that prevent me from attending graduation?

Not filing your intent to graduate in the time period (January 2-26, 2026), may mean a delay in receiving email communication regarding spring 2026 plans, including information that will be shared about the possibility of ticketing.

Students who miss the intent to file deadline should contact their major Department to be added to the graduation list.

Why is there a guest limit and how many guests/tickets will be allowed for each graduate at the 2026 Spring Commencement?

Based on the number of students in our college who have now filed their intent to graduate in May, we have determined that each graduate will be able to receive up to five (5) tickets for their guests to attend commencement due to capacity limits in the Bryce Jordan Center. This will provide each graduating student with the same opportunity to invite their friends, family and loved ones. We ask that you please reserve only the tickets you need, so we can accommodate as many people as possible.

Are tickets free of charge?

Yes. There is no cost to reserve guest tickets for spring 2026 commencement. Graduating students do not need a ticket to attend the ceremony.   

When does the ticket window open?

The ticket window will open on Monday, March 23 at 10 a.m. and will close on Friday, April 10 at 5 p.m. On Monday, March 23, graduating students will receive an initial email from our college commencement team on how to secure free tickets for your guests.

How do graduates reserve tickets?

Graduating students can reserve up to five tickets for their guests during the ticket window from March 23 through April 10. To reserve tickets, on March 23, at 10 a.m., graduates can log in to the BJC Account Manager using their Penn State email and Ticketmaster password. If you haven’t logged on before or are unsure of your password, use the “Forgot Password?” link to reset or create a password. Once reserved, mobile tickets will be available to transfer to guests via email. Guests will receive an email with instructions on accepting their mobile ticket. For more information, follow these instructions for transferring and accepting tickets.

Do graduating students have to reserve all their tickets at the same time?

Students can visit the ticket portal up to two times while the ticket window is open from March 23 – April 10 to reserve up to five tickets total. For example, students can reserve two tickets in the first order and three tickets in the second order.

Will there be a second ticket window to reserve unclaimed tickets later in the semester?

When the ticket request window ends on April 10, our college will review the allotment of tickets reserved by graduates. If additional tickets remain, students will receive notification during the week of April 13. They will be available on a first-come, first-served basis until they are no longer available.

What if my plans changed, and I now can go to my graduation, but I missed the April 10 deadline to secure tickets?

Graduates can attend commencement no matter if they reserved guest tickets or not, as graduates do not need a ticket for themselves to attend. If there is a possibility that you might attend your graduation, students are highly encouraged to secure the tickets for your guests during the ticket window between March 23 and April 10. On April 13, remaining tickets will become available on a first-come, first-served basis—including for students who did not originally request tickets by April 10.

I'm having trouble reserving tickets on the ticket portal. What should I do?

If you are having issues accessing the ticket portal, please try the following troubleshooting steps:

  • First, log out of your Penn State email Ticketmaster account
  • Delete cookies or try using a private/incognito browser
  • Log back in using your Penn State email/Ticketmaster password
  • Check your “My Events” area to see if they are there

If these steps do not work, please take a screenshot and reach out to our college's commencement team at commencement@engr.psu.edu.

Can guests reserve their own tickets?

Graduating students will use their Penn State email address and Ticketmaster password to reserve tickets for their guests. 

How do graduates send tickets to their guests?

Within the Bryce Jordan Center (BJC) Account Manager, students can transfer mobile tickets to guests via email. Guests will receive an email with instructions on accepting their mobile ticket. For more information, follow these instructions for transferring and accepting tickets.

Can students transfer all of their reserved tickets to one guest/family member?

Yes. Students can transfer tickets for multiple guests in their party to one guest (for example, tickets for children or extended family members can be shared with one person to keep track of). In this case, all guests (up to five people) will need to meet and enter the Bryce Jordan Center at the same time.

Can tickets be transferred back to the graduating student to transfer to a different guest?

Yes, tickets can be transferred as many times as needed. Once a ticket has been accepted by a guest, that guest can transfer their ticket back to the graduating student, who can then share with another guest via the BJC Account Manager portal. For more information, follow these instructions for transferring and accepting tickets.

Can tickets be returned to the Bryce Jordan Center if they are not going to be used?

Yes. Once tickets are reserved, they can be returned to the Bryce Jordan Center. You may also transfer tickets to another graduating student that they can use for their guests.

Can graduating students transfer tickets to friends/other graduating students to share with their guests?

Yes, tickets can be transferred via the BJC Account Manager portal as many times as needed, including to friends and other graduating students to transfer to their guests.

Can students print tickets for their guests?

Tickets cannot be printed in advance. Prior to commencement, only mobile tickets are available to reserve and transfer. However, on the day of the commencement ceremony, guests with mobile tickets can visit the box office at the Bryce Jordan Center for assistance if they are having an issue accessing their ticket.

Will there be assigned guest seating in the Bryce Jordan Center?

Seating will be general admission (not assigned) and doors will open 90 minutes prior to each ceremony. ADA seating and accommodations are available and can be requested during the ticket request process.

Will there be an opportunity to obtain ADA guest seats?

If a guest requires Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, there will be wheelchair accessible, sight/hearing, or limited mobility tickets available. ADA options will be available when the graduate obtains their tickets and each graduate can select up to four ADA-accessible seats, which allow for companion seating.

Are ADA tickets part of the five-ticket allotment?

Yes. Up to four ADA tickets may be reserved and count toward the five-ticket allotment for each graduating student. ADA accessible tickets will be available for guest requesting seats for Wheelchair Accessibility, Limited Mobility (can navigate up to 9 steps), or Sight/Hearing Impairment.

Can I participate in the Spring 2026 Commencement ceremony if I still have credits remaining to complete?

Please note that our college cannot accommodate students who are not officially completing ALL degree requirements to walk during spring ceremonies for any reason. We do, however, allow students who have not completed all degree requirements to participate in the summer and fall ceremonies.

Can I participate in Spring 2026 Commencement ceremony if I have completed my degree requirements in a previous semester?

Please note that our college cannot accommodate past graduates from a previous semester.

Why did I not receive an email to reserve graduation tickets?

Only students who are still in applied status for graduation as of March 15, 2026, will be able to reserve tickets for the spring ceremony. Please visit the LionPATH tutorial for information on how to verify your graduation status.

Are graduating students and guests allowed to bring bags into the BJC?

Please review the BJC’s full bag policy. Guests are permitted to bring one bag into the arena. Permitted bags include:

  • Bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” x 6” x 12”
  • One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar)
  • Small clutch bags, with or without a handle or strap, that do not exceed 4.5” x 6.5” x 1"

Please note: An exception will be made for medically necessary items that cannot fit into a clear bag, after proper inspection. No backpacks are allowed.

What is the bag policy?

Bryce Jordan Center Bag Policy: In line with the best practices at major entertainment venues, the BJC utilizes walk-through metal detectors at all entry gates and restrictions on the size and type of bag that may be carried into the arena for all events. Check out the Bryce Jordan Center Bag Policy website for more information.