Pitt adds a doctoral hooding ceremony to its annual winter commencement celebrations

The University of Pittsburgh is announcing changes to its December commencement schedule, separating the University-wide commencement ceremony - which previously included all degrees earned - into two distinct events. For the first time, Pitt will hold a dedicated doctoral hooding ceremony to honor our doctoral graduates.

Beginning this December, Pitt will host:

A Doctoral Hooding Ceremony, held on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2026, at 4 p.m. in Victory Heights Arena. This new event will recognize students earning doctoral degrees (both professional doctoral degrees and PhD degrees) between May and December 2026.

A University-wide Commencement Ceremony, held on Sunday, Dec. 13, at 3 p.m. in the Petersen Events Center. This ceremony will celebrate all summer and winter graduates who have earned or are earning their bachelor's and master's degrees.

The University is committed to ensuring all commencement events celebrate the accomplishments of our students in meaningful ways. Doctoral candidates undertake a distinct academic journey. A dedicated hooding ceremony allows us to honor that with the recognition it deserves. In addition, the University-wide commencement ceremony will be more efficiently paced, shorter in duration and focused on the celebration of our undergraduate and master's graduates and their families.

Given that this is our first dedicated doctoral hooding ceremony, we recognize that flexibility will be important and so, for this year only, doctoral students who wish to attend the University-wide commencement ceremony may do so. Please note that doctoral candidates will only be hooded at the Dec. 9 ceremony.

Pitt is committed to celebrating each and every graduate - along with their families and friends - as they achieve their amazing and hard-won academic milestones.

Further details for both events, including ticketing, guest information and livestream links, will be available in the coming weeks at commencement.pitt.edu. For additional information on either event, please contact the Office of Special Events at 412-624-7100 or commencement [at] pitt.edu.