SCAD Atlanta Commencement 2025
Gateway Center Arena @ College Park
Congratulations, SCAD class of 2025! Celebrate your accomplishments at the SCAD Atlanta Commencement ceremonies. The Presidential Conferment and Presentation of Degrees ceremonies will take place at Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta.
During the Presidential Conferment of Degrees ceremony, graduates, faculty, and guests will unite to hear remarks from a guest commencement speaker, outstanding graduates, and SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace. Graduates will receive their degrees as they cross the stage during the Presentation of Degrees ceremony. For those unable to attend in person, all ceremonies will be live streamed on the main commencement page.
Questions? Email graduation@scad.edu.
Schedule of events
All the times listed are Eastern Time.
Saturday, May 31
11 a.m. | Presidential Conferment and Presentation of Degrees ceremonies
Doors open at 9:30 a.m.
The De Sole School of Business Innovation
Advertising
Advertising and branding
Creative business leadership
Luxury and brand management
School of Animation and Motion
Animation
Motion media design
Visual effects
School of Building Arts
Interior design
School of Creative Technology
Game development
Interactive design and game development
School of Design
Graphic design
User experience (UX) design
Industrial design
School of Fashion
Fashion
Fashion marketing and management
School of Film and Acting
Acting
Film and television
Sound design
School of Fine Arts
Painting
Sculpture
School of Liberal Arts
Dramatic writing
Writing
School of Visual Communication
Illustration
Photography
Sequential art
Unsure which commencement to attend? View details about SCAD’s academic schools.
SCADnow graduates and virtual enrollees
SCADnow (eLearning) graduates are invited to participate in Savannah's Presidential Conferment of Degrees and Presentation of Degrees ceremony. All other students can participate in the ceremonies at the SCAD location where they are enrolled.
If you have any questions, email graduation@scad.edu.
Ticket allotment
Each graduate will be allotted four (4) guest tickets for the Atlanta Presidential Conferment of Degrees and Presentation of Degrees ceremonies.
SCAD does not regulate the private redistribution of tickets and strictly forbids the sale of commencement tickets.
Graduates will receive an email with a link to claim graduation tickets from Tassel (formerly Marching Order) by Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Graduates
How do I share my commencement moments on social media?
Use #SCADGRAD and #SCAD2025 to share your experience. Be sure to tag and follow @scaddotedu.
When is the deadline to order a cap and gown?
The deadline to order a cap and gown is Monday, April 7, 2025. We encourage students to place their orders ahead of this deadline to ensure they receive them before the ceremony.
Do I need a cap and gown to participate?
A cap and gown are required to participate in the Presidential Conferment and Presentation of Degrees ceremonies.
Where do I submit requests for ADA seating?
For any special seating requests for graduates and guests, email atlevents@scad.edu. Be sure to include your name and SCAD ID number.
When can graduates expect to receive their diplomas?
Graduates will receive a congratulatory letter from President Wallace inside their SCAD diploma cover during the ceremony. The actual diploma will be mailed once spring grades are submitted and the student's graduation requirements are confirmed. Graduates can expect to receive their diploma within 12 weeks of commencement at the mailing address they provided on their graduation application.
What time should graduates plan to arrive?
Graduates should plan to arrive at the venue an hour and a half before the start of the ceremony.
Whom do I contact for more information about the ceremonies?
Email graduation@scad.edu.
Can I share with my friends and family?
Yes, your friends and family can livestream graduation on the main commencement page. You can also share your experience using #SCADGRAD and by following @scaddotedu.
FAQs: Guests
Are you streaming the Presentation of Degrees ceremonies?
Yes, all ceremonies will be streamed live on the main commencement page. A link to the livestream will appear on scad.edu/commencement one hour before the start of each ceremony.
Do I have to register to view the livestream?
No, you do not have to register to view the livestream of the ceremonies.
How do I access the commencement ceremonies?
The main commencement page will have a livestream of the commencement ceremonies. You may find the link on scad.edu/commencement one hour prior to the start of each ceremony. Review the troubleshooting to ensure a seamless streaming experience.
Whom do I contact if I have issues streaming the ceremony (e.g., audio lagging)?
Please refer to the troubleshooting guide if you have streaming issues.
Where do I park?
The Gateway Center Arena and GICC parking area has five conjoined surface parking lots accessible at the East and West entrances. Payment must be made at a kiosk before exiting the lot. We highly encourage guests to carpool and reserve parking in advance with the ParkMobile app.
Are you providing transportation from SCAD?
We will not be providing transportation from SCAD for guests or faculty. Shuttle transportation will be offered at select hotels on the Convention Center Concourse beginning at 9:15 a.m.
Will group rates be available for hotels?
Group rates are available for your stay in Atlanta at Tru by Hilton and Home2 Suites by Hilton. Both hotels are in College Park, near the commencement venue and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Reserve Tru by Hilton Atlanta Airport College Park
Reserve Home2 Suites by Hilton Atlanta Airport College Park
Where do I submit requests for ADA seating?
For any special seating requests for graduates and guests, email atlevents@scad.edu. Be sure to include your name and SCAD ID number.
Whom do I contact for more information about the ceremonies?
Email graduation@scad.edu
FAQs: General information
When do doors open?
Doors will open at the Gateway Center Arena an hour and a half before the start of the Presidential Conferment of Degrees ceremony.
What is the Gateway Center Arena’s security policy?
All guests must pass through a metal detector or wand to ensure the safety of ceremony guests.
What is the bag policy?
The Gateway Center Arena clear bag policy strictly limits the size and types of bags that are permitted to keep guests safe. Backpacks, purses (other than small clutches no larger than 4.5 x 6.5 inches with or without a handle or strap), diaper bags (diapers and wipes may be carried in a clear bag), and suitcases are not permitted. The Gateway Center Arena strongly encourages guests not to bring bags, but each guest may carry one bag that is clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC no larger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches or a one-gallon clear plastic Ziploc bag. Children may also carry an approved bag.
If carried loosely or in an approved clear bag, small cameras, binoculars, and cell phones are permitted. Cameras cannot exceed 90mm. Seat cushions without metal seatbacks, pockets, zippers, or concealable areas are allowed but must not exceed 18 inches wide.
There are no provisions to check prohibited bags or items at the arena. Guests will be asked to return prohibited items to a parked vehicle if they have not entered the arena or dispose of prohibited items at the entrance. The Gateway Center Arena is not responsible for items left behind, lost, stolen, or damaged. No balloons will be permitted within the venue.