UMass Amherst Graduate School Confers Over 2200 Degrees at May 15 Master’s and …

The Graduate School at the University of Massachusetts Amherst conferred 2,274 master’s degrees and 20 education specialist degrees on May 15, 2026. These conferments were part of the university’s 156th Commencement, a series of events held from May 15 to May 17.

The graduate ceremonies contributed to a total of more than 2,300 graduate degrees awarded during the commencement period. In total, the university expected to grant degrees to over 9,300 students across its undergraduate and graduate programs.

More than 7,050 undergraduate students were also expected to receive degrees. The undergraduate Class of 2026 includes students ranging in age from 20 to 78, representing 70 countries and 48 U.S. States.

The main Commencement Ceremony for the undergraduate class took place on May 15, 2026, at 5 p.m. At McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Fouad Abd-El Khalick presided over the ceremony, with additional remarks provided by UMass President Marty Meehan and Board of Trustees member Jose Delgado ’18.

Kimberly S. Budd, the 38th Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, delivered the keynote address during the event. In recognition of her record of public service, the university conferred an honorary degree upon her.

The university also granted an honorary degree to Eric Swanson ’82. The institution noted that Swanson’s professional career has included applied engineering, entrepreneurship, foundational scientific research, and industry work, contributing to technologies and infrastructure used globally.

The scale of these graduations reflects the institution’s position as the number one public research university in New England based on non-medical school research and development expenditures.

The commencement events drew a significant crowd, with more than 20,000 attendees expected to witness the conferment of degrees over the three-day period.