Faculty, Staff, and Volunteer Information
December Commencement 2026Faculty and staff participating in the December 2026 Commencement can find information on regalia rental, pickup, and academic requests below.
Commencement Day at a Glance
Tuesday, December 15, 2026
DCU Center
50 Foster St., Worcester, MA
8 a.m. — Doors open; faculty and staff check-in begins
9 a.m. — Faculty lineup for the processional
9:30 a.m. — Commencement ceremony begins
11–11:30 a.m. — Approximate ceremony conclusion
Faculty and staff entrance: Doors 1 and 2
Parking: MCPHS parking lot at 10 Lincoln Square
Rental Regalia
Faculty and staff who need rental regalia for Commencement or an academic ceremony must place their order by October 16, 2026.
Faculty and staff who are also graduating from a program participating in the December ceremony should complete the graduate registration form instead.
Rental Regalia Pickup
When ordering rental regalia, select the campus where you plan to pick it up. Pickup locations cannot be changed after your order is submitted.
If you are unable to pick up your rental regalia on these dates, you may pick it up at the DCU Center from 8–9 a.m. on Commencement Day, Tuesday, December 15.
Campus | Thursday, December 11 | Friday, December 12 |
Boston | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. MCPHS Campus Store | Noon–4 p.m. MCPHS Campus Store |
Worcester | 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Student Affairs, 19 Foster St. | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Student Affairs, 19 Foster St. |
Manchester | 10 a.m.–3 p.m. HUB 105 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. HUB 105 |
Special Academic Requests
Program directors and academic deans may request an exception for a student who is out of sequence with course requirements and is now expected to confer their degree in May 2027.
Requests for the student to participate in the December 2026 Commencement must be submitted to the Commencement Team by October 1, 2026. Please include the student's full name, student ID, and a statement of support.
Faculty and Staff Commencement Details
I am bringing my own regalia. Do I need to register?
No. Faculty and staff only need to register if they are ordering rental regalia.
I am a faculty or staff member who is also graduating. What should I do?
Faculty and staff who are also graduating should follow the graduate registration process.
What should I do if something is missing from my rental regalia?
The regalia vendor will be available at the DCU Center before the ceremony to assist with missing or incorrect items. Visit the graduate check-in area for regalia assistance.
Where do I return my rental regalia?
Return all rental regalia to the designated drop-off location at the DCU Center following Commencement. Before returning your regalia, empty all pockets and remove any pins or personal items.
If you forget to return your regalia at the DCU Center, please return it to the MCPHS Campus Store.
What time should faculty and staff arrive?
Doors open at 8 a.m. Faculty and staff should enter through Doors 1 and 2 and proceed to the faculty and staff check-in area. A light breakfast will be available. Commencement volunteers will provide directions and assist participants before the ceremony.
What time does the ceremony begin?
Commencement begins promptly at 9:30 a.m. and is expected to last approximately 90 minutes to two hours.
Do faculty need to stay for the entire ceremony?
Yes. Faculty participating in Commencement are expected to remain for the entire ceremony.
Where should faculty and staff park?
Faculty and staff should park in the MCPHS parking lot at 10 Lincoln Square. For additional transportation options, visit the DCU Center Parking and Directions.
Which entrance should I use?
- Candidates, faculty, and staff: Doors 1 and 2
- Guests: Doors 10, 11, and 12
- Guests requiring an accessible entrance: Door 13
What is the DCU Center bag policy?
Small wristlets measuring no more than 5 x 7 inches are permitted. Medical and diaper bags are also permitted but will be inspected before entry. Larger bags, including crossbody bags, totes, backpacks, and duffel bags, are not permitted.
How can I volunteer at Commencement?
A call for Commencement volunteers will be shared by email. Faculty who plan to robe and participate in the processional should not register as ceremony volunteers.
Where should I direct graduates who have questions about Commencement?
Graduates can find ceremony information and graduate-specific FAQs on the graduate Commencement page.
Additional questions can be directed to the Commencement Team at commencement@mcphs.edu.