When, Where, and What to Expect
Ceremony Information
The Commencement ceremony will recognize the 1,700+ candidates who make up the CUNY School of Professional Studies Class of 2026.
Over 800 students are expected to take part in the ceremony in-person, at Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY, with another 150 taking part virtually.
The ceremony begins promptly at 4:30 pm, and is expected to conclude by 7:00pm. Graduates should plan to attend the full ceremony.
Arrival Time
Gates will open at 3:00 pm for graduates and guests.
Graduates must be through the gates by 3:45pm in order to find their designated seating area, pick up their pompoms, program, if emailed, honor cords, and meet their fellow graduates.
Students are expected to be in their seats by 4:15pm, and the ceremony will begin promptly at 4:30pm.
Tickets
Graduates do not need tickets to attend but are required to have their cap and gown on/present when entering on Dean Street.
All guests age 3 and up are required to have a ticket and may only enter via the main entrance.
Metal Detectors and Bag Checks
All attendees, including graduates, will go through metal detectors and will be subject to bag checks in order to enter the Barclays Center grounds. Please minimize what you bring with you in order to facilitate a fast, easy entrance for everyone.
Prohibited Items
The following items are prohibited from the grounds of the Barclays Center. Please be certain that you and your guests review this list prior to the ceremony.
- Backpacks (Exception: single compartment drawstring bags)
- Hard coolers or like containers
- Sealed packages of any kind
- Glass bottles or cans (Exception: reusable water bottles-25 oz. or less, metal and plastic)
- Aerosol cans or noise-making devices
- Alcohol
- Video cameras or recording devices (Exception: cell phones and SLR cameras, with lenses up to and not exceeding 300mm, with video or recording capabilities)
- Computers or laptops
- Weapons (regardless of permit)
- Animals (Exception: service animals)
- Flags, banners or signs
- Tents
- Balloons
- Bullhorns, megaphones, and other portable microphones/vocal amplifying devices
- Any materials, items or apparel constituting unauthorized advertising or promotion
- Laser pointing devices
- Drones (UAS-Unmanned Aircraft Systems) or other model aircraft
- Selfie-sticks or other telescopic devices
Seating
Graduates will be seated on the court in order of the their degree type and major.
Guests will be seated in the lower bowl seats off the Main Concourse.
Wheelchair seating is available.
Elevators and escalators are available for use in getting to the seating area.
ADA Accommodations
Live captioning and ASL interpretation will be provided throughout the ceremony.
The ceremony will feature a large Jumbotron above the court, so that guests may better see the moment that their graduate crosses the stage.
Travel Directions
Driving & Public Transportation Directions to Barclays Center
Subway: Take the 2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q, R trains (all stop at Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center station). Head toward the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center station (depending on the line you're taking; this could be in the direction of either Manhattan or Brooklyn). Once you exit the train, follow signs within the station to the Barclays Center. Exit the station at Atlantic Avenue and Flatbush Avenue. Barclays Center is directly above the subway station, so you’ll walk right out onto the street and be at the arena entrance.
Long Island Rail Road: Barclays Center coordinates subway/rail service with the MTA and LIRR. Barclays Center/Atlantic Terminal is just 20 minutes from Jamaica Station.
Parking: SpotHero, is a parking reservations app that allows you to book convenient and affordable parking in advance of your event. SpotHero is an Official Partner of Barclays Center.