Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) UMSON Operations | UMB General Info
For information about Commencement 2020 and how to receive your diploma, visit the UMB COVID-19 FAQs page. Click on the "Student" button.
All students must complete the graduation application by the deadline on the academic calendar to graduate.
To complete the form:
photo of a stringing ceremony from the 1983 yearbook
Uniform stringing is a longstanding tradition for our graduates. The class of 1974 decorated their student uniforms to celebrate the completion of their studies. They held a "stringing party," hanging the uniforms on clotheslines that stretched from the Parson’s Hall dormitory across Lombard Street, proclaiming to the world their enthusiasm for their new careers.
This tradition was revived in 2009 and now takes place at both our UMSON Baltimore and Universities at Shady Grove locations.
Stringing is an UMSON tradition in which graduating BSN and CNL students decorate their uniform tops. Tops are then displayed and voted on by staff, faculty, and other students for creativity. Uniforms are "strung" as part of graduation activities.
| Winter | Graduation | |
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Graduation is a commencement ceremony for all summer and fall graduates. Each location (Universities at Shady Grove and Baltimore) hosts separate events for their students. At the events:
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Summer and fall graduates are also invited to participate in University of Maryland, Baltimore's Commencement in the spring (see below), but they do not participate in UMSON's spring convocation. |
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| Spring | Convocation | Commencement |
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Convocation honors spring nursing school graduates. At the event:
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All graduates are invited to participate in University of Maryland, Baltimore's Commencement. At the event:
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Yes! All students must wear regalia.
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Population |
Academic Regalia |
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BSN, RN-BSN, RN-MSN |
Bachelor’s cap, gown, tassel and red stole with UMB logo |
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CNL |
Master’s cap, gown, hood and red stole with UMB logo |
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MSN (except CNL) |
Master’s cap, gown, and hood |
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DNP |
Doctoral cap, gown, and tassel with doctoral hood |
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PhD |
Doctoral cap, gown, and tassel.
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It depends on how many students participate. The ceremony should last no longer than two hours.
Tickets are not required and there is no limit to the number of guests who may attend.
Commencement requires a lot of walking for both graduates and pinners. Handicapped seating is limited at both venues; to ensure seating for wheelchairs or other seating requirements graduates must reserve a space. Please email nrsregistration@umaryland.edu or call 410-706-2799 if you have any mobility concerns.
There is no storage at either venue for personal items. Please give articles to a family member or friend to hold for you. Storing items under your chair is not an option, as graduates may not return to the same seat after leaving the stage. UMSON staff cannot take responsibility for personal items.
A photographer captures individual photos of graduates as they approach the stage and while on stage, including pinners for BSN and CNL, and offer students the opportunity to purchase photographs of this special occasion. Candid photos prior and during the ceremony may be taken by other graduates, guests, and School of Nursing staff for possible publication. Privately hired photographers and guests are not allowed in the graduate line up area or the arena floor during the ceremony.
If you would like to order a transcript with your degree, click the "Hold for Degree" box when you fill out your transcript request. After degrees are applied, transcripts will be mailed to the address provided on the request form.
Hooding for all doctoral (DNP and PhD) students occurs during graduation. To prepare, all doctoral students should watch this "How to Wear a Doctoral Hood" video (do not pin your cap, as you will remove it for hooding). DNP students receive their hood with their regalia. Hoods provided to PhD students at UMB Commencement or the Graduate Hooding Ceremony.
Student receiving their master’s degree are called to the stage by specialty. Upon reaching the stage each student is announced. Students process across the stage to shake hands with the dean and academic associate dean. CNL students are pinned.
All BSN and CNL students are pinned. RN-to-BSN students who may have previously been pinned will receive a second pin from UMB to signify their completion of the BSN degree. RN-to-MSN students completing their undergraduate degree are also pinned.
Students are announced on stage along with the relationship of their pinner. BSN and CNL students are strongly encouraged to attend the pinning rehearsal. All CNL and baccalaureate students, including RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN students, must purchase a red stole for pinning from the UMB Bookstore. See the regalia section above for purchase information.
Pinning is a time-honored nursing tradition. During the ceremony graduates of the baccalaureate and Clinical Nurse Leader programs are presented with the UMSON nursing pin by a person they chose.
You may choose one person to pin you. Pinners sit with graduates in a section separate from other guests. Due to safety concerns, children under 12 are not allowed on the theatre floor. If you do not have a pinner a faculty member will perform the honor. We strongly encourage graduates and pinners arrive together.
No. Each BSN and CNL student will receive a replica pin at the ceremony, however, you must purchase the red stole. The stole is included in the regalia package if ordered from Oak Hall, or it may also be purchased separately from the bookstore.
Nursing pins can be ordered through Herff-Jones or in person at the UMB Bookstore. If you purchase a pin from the bookstore, you may use it during graduation or use the replica pin.
To be certified as having completed all graduation requirements and to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) exam, BSN and CNL students are required to complete an NCLEX review provided by the School. The three-part review is offered at both Baltimore and Universities at Shady Grove locations and consists of:
We recommend all students plan for the NCLEX review to be held sometime between the week before, of, or immediately after graduation. Current NCLEX review dates are available on the Academic Calendar.
For more information regarding the NCLEX review and applying for an RN license, consult the "National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and Kaplan Resources" information on the Student Forms webpage.
For any questions, contact the Office of the Academic Deans at 410-706-4359 or nrsacademicdeans@umaryland.edu.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact the office of Registration Services by email (nrsregistration@umaryland.edu) or phone (410-706-2799).
For questions about the NCLEX, NCLEX Live Review, or applying for your RN license, contact:
| Maryland license questions | Office of the Academic Deans nrsacademicdeans@umaryland.edu 410-706-4359 |
| Out of state license questions |
Office of Registration and Clinical Placements |
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