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For Guests Planning Your Visit

View Commencement Schedule

This page will be updated as additional Commencement details become available.

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Hotels and Lodging
Transportation & Parking
Ticket Information
Accessibility
Gifts from the Bookstore

There are many hotels convenient to American University. We encourage you to make reservations as early as possible.

The university has negotiated discounted rates with local area hotels located conveniently to the campus. Reservations for travel can be booked directly with the hotel via the Campus Travel Management Portal.

Visiting AU for the first time? View the campus map and the visitor information page. 

Public Transit

We encourage the use of public transportation. The most convenient station is the Tenleytown-AU Metro station on the red line. Shuttle bus service is provided to and from the Tenleytown-AU Metro station. Use Metro’s trip planner and take travel time into consideration.

 

Parking

We urge guests to take the Metro, walk, or take taxis. If you do drive, one (1) parking pass will be issued to each student registered to participate in Commencement at no charge. Additional passes will not be available. Regular parking permits issued by AU Parking and Commuter Services will not be valid. In accordance with our “Good Neighbor Policy,” parking is prohibited on neighborhood streets.

 

Taxis & Rideshare

Taxis are available throughout the city. Please use 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, Washington, DC 20016 when dropping off for the event.

  • Tickets are required for guest admittance to the Fall Commencement ceremonies.
  • For Fall 2024 Commencement, an allotment of 6 tickets will be distributed to students who have registered to participate by ordering their cap and gown. 
  • Registered students will receive a unqiue link to their AU email to access their electronic tickets beginning November 14.
  • Graduates will not need a ticket for themselves. 
  • We are unable to guarantee requests for additional tickets. 

AU is committed to providing universal access to all events. If you have questions about accommodations, contact commencement@american.edu. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for accessibility needs.

Guests with valid state-issued handicapped permits or plates requiring accessible parking will be permitted to park in the Sports Center Garage. Drivers may also drop off guests with limited mobility at an accessible entrance before proceeding to their designated parking garage.

All ceremonies will have large screens with closed-captioning. An area near the front of the arena is available for those who need American sign language interpretation. An array of speakers for sound amplification will be available throughout graduate and guest seating.

A seating section, located next to the ground-level entrance to Bender Arena, will be available for senior citizens and persons with physical disabilities and their families.

Grab a Gift for your Grad!

Check out the American University Bookstore for AU gifts and memorabilia for your graduate!

International Grads & Guests

Students participating in Commencement or their guests who are not in the U.S. at the time of graduation and do not have a U.S. passport may require documentation in order to secure a visa to attend Commencement. 

All documentation requests must be submitted by the graduate via a written request to the Registrar's Office with the following information:

  1. Name of the graduating student
  2. Major or course of study
  3. Date of ceremony

Submission Options:

Mail:

Degree Clearance Team, Office of the Registrar

American University

4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20016

Fax: 202-885-1016

Email: graduation_services@american.edu (Email submissions must have a PDF attachment of the request which includes the student signature)