Event Information

SPRING 2026

UMKC School of Medicine Hooding Ceremony at the Swinney Center on Volker Campus.
- Date/Time: Thursday, May 14th at 4:00pm
  - This event is School of Medicine specific. This event will be a student-centered celebration and inclusive of all SOM graduates!
    - Hooding for MS, MMS, MPHE and MD students
    - Senior award acknowledgement
    - Recognition of membership (AOA, Gold Humanism, etc)
    - Reading of the Professional Oaths
UMKC University-wide Commencement ceremony at T-Mobile Center.
- Date/Time: Saturday, May 16th at 2:00pm
  - This is the official UMKC commencement ceremony.
    - All commencement related events are optional.
  - Please review the UMKC Commencement website for additional information: https://www.umkc.edu/commencement

**Hooding Ceremony Live-Stream:

7:00pm – School of Medicine - TBD

FALL 2026

UMKC School of Medicine Hooding Ceremony at TBD
- Date/Time: TBD
UMKC University-wide Commencement ceremony at TBD
- Date/Time: TBD

RSVP Request & Student Spotlight

We do not anticipate a limit to the number of guests, however, for planning purposes we do ask that you RSVP.

This is crucial for effective planning.

Additionally, as part of the RSVP, we will be collecting information for both the Student Spotlight and a Thank You Message.

Student Spotlight:

We will highlight individual students across UMKC social media platforms in recognition of your accomplishments.
Your responses to the prompts below may be used.
- Who would you like to thank for support during your academic career? (max 150 characters)
- What are your future plans? (max 150 characters)
- What is your favorite School of Medicine memory? (max 150 characters)
- What advice do you have for current and future students? (max 150 characters)
We will also include the professional headshot you provide below

Thank-You message:

This will be used as you walk across stage during the Hooding Ceremony
We will announce your name followed by the "thank you statement" you provide below.
"Thank you" statements should be inclusive, professional, and appropriate to be read aloud during the Hooding Ceremony.
- Note--future job locations, specialty areas, etc., will not be read aloud. This information may be included in the printed program.

RSVP & Student Spotlight link:
- Deadline: March 31, 2026

Optional: Name Pronunciation Audio

Additionally, Student Affairs staff is dedicated to improving the event experience for our students. To assist, we want to provide the opportunity for students to submit an audio file of the pronunciation of their name.
- This is not required. Only submit if you are concerned with the potential mispronunciation of your name.
  - Please speak clearly. (say your full preferred name, then repeat to emphasize each name, then say your full-name naturally once more)
  - Optional Name Pronunciation Audio: Submit Here

Regalia

Students planning to participate in any of the commencement events (School of Medicine Hooding Ceremony and/or UMKC Commencement Ceremony) will need to purchase regalia from the UMKC Bookstore. Costs are currently listed on the UMKC Bookstore’s website:
- There is no deadline for students to purchase regalia.
- Regalia links:
- If you have any questions regarding regalia orders, please contact UMKC Bookstore directly:
  - 816-235-2665

UMKC Bookstore Grad Fair: Tuesday March 10^th 10am-5pm, Wednesday March 11^th 8am-4pm.

- 25% Off Diploma Frames
- 10% off regalia including Fine Quality
- 25% off clothing and gift items (Volker store only; discounts applicable for online orders) ONLY TUESDAY MARCH 10.

Roo Regalia Closet

The School of Medicine Office of Student Affairs has started a Roo Regalia Closet and has various regalia items that you may borrow, if needed.

- - Please complete the Roo Regalia Request Form by TBD to inquire.
    - this request is not a guarantee. Regalia selections are determined by need and available inventory

Donation Opportunity: Following the ceremony, you may donate your cap, hood, and/or gown. The regalia collected will be placed in the School of Medicine Roo Regalia Closet and made available in future years for graduates to borrow.

Optional Additional Hooder Request

Hooding ceremonies are carried out by institutions of higher education to recognize students who have earned an advanced degree beyond the bachelor's degree.  At UMKC School of Medicine docents or program directors hood their students because of their significant contribution to the academic growth, development and success of their students throughout the advanced degree program.  When the docent or program director places the hood on their student it formally acknowledges and celebrates the achievement of the student by the UMKC medical school faculty.

OPTIONAL Additional Hooder Option: a graduate may request ONE additional hooder to participate in the hooding ceremony. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the Commencement Committee.
* The individual, at minimum, must hold a degree equivalent to the degree the graduate is being hooded for. (example: if earning an MD, hooder must already hold any doctorate level degree; if being hooded for Master's degree, the hooder must already hold a Master's or higher)

* The optional hooder is not required to wear regalia. If they wish to wear regalia, it is their responsibility to obtain appropriate regalia.
*Student must also receive approval of their docent/faculty advisor.

*In the event that your docent is unable to attend, a designated faculty member will serve as your primary hooder. Please note that this does not allow for the inclusion of two additional hooders.

** All additional hooding requests must be made by March 31, 2026

Additional Hooder Request Link

Graduation Application

All students who anticipate graduating Spring 2026 must submit an application for graduation via Pathway.

Application for Graduation Pathway Instructions
- Deadline: March 31, 2026

"Day-of" Information

School of Medicine Fall Hooding Ceremony "Talk-Through"

Date: May 8th, 2026 - 3pm

Recording:

Parking information: TBD

FAQs

What is the difference between the hooding ceremony and commencement ceremony?

The hooding ceremony is School of Medicine specific. This student-centered ceremony recognizes School of Medicine individual student achievements. Students walk across stage after having their name called, and a faculty member places the hooding regalia on the student in recognition of earning their advanced degree.

The commencement ceremony is the campus-wide ceremony in which students from all colleges and programs participate. The UMKC campus leadership officially confers degrees upon graduating students at this ceremony.

Do we need tickets for the ceremony?

You don’t need tickets for the hooding ceremony or the commencement ceremony. Early arrival guarantees the best seating.

Where can I get local hotel information?

The Visit KC Visitors Bureau can provide information about local accommodations. Detailed information and a search feature are available online at the Visit KC website.

How is Latin Honors calculated for Doctor of Medicine?

Latin Honors information can be found here: https://med.umkc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/COE-Policy-Manual-Guidelines-031424.pdf (Pages 27-28)