Commencement

Phase I Ceremony

Phase I consists of the All-University Commencement ceremony in which all Tufts schools participate. It includes the Academic Procession, the awarding of honorary degrees, the All-University Commencement address, recognition of faculty emeriti, presentation of degree candidates by school, and the granting of degrees by the Board of Trustees.

Phase I takes place on The Green, between Ballou Hall and Bendetson Hall on the Medford/Somerville campus (Maps and Parking).

Phase II Ceremony

Phase II of Commencement at Tufts consists of individual degree ceremonies. Following the Phase I (All-University Commencement), individual department and school ceremonies will take place. It is at these ceremonies that graduates’ names are announced and students are individually recognized.

Events

Friday, May 15
4 p.m. to 5 p.m: MFA Hooding Ceremony with remarks from SMFA Dean Scheri Fultineer and Program Director Laurel Nakadate. Balch Arena Theater, Medford.
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Exhibition Closing Receptions at Tufts University Art Galleries in Medford. SMFA at Tufts proudly presents Passages, the 2026 MFA Thesis Program Exhibition. Tufts University Art Galleries, 40 Talbot Ave, Medford.

Saturday, May 16
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.: SMFA Year-End Celebration honoring our graduating Master of Fine Arts, Post Baccalaureate, Combined Degree, and Bachelor of Fine Arts students. Features the 2026 BFA Senior Thesis Exhibition, Until We Run Out of Space (on view May 6 through May 17), showcasing work by graduating BFA and Combined Degree seniors across the SMFA campus, including the Atrium, Anderson Auditorium, Grossman Gallery, B305 and B307 Galleries, and the SMFA Library. The exhibition will also include work by the 2026 Annual Student Awards winners and students from the 2026 Post Baccalaureate Certificate Program.