Graduation Information for Graduate and Professional School Students
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Baccalaureate Services
The Baccalaureate is a service inherited from the universities of Western Europe and associated with the commencement exercises of American colleges and universities since colonial times. The baccalaureate service remains an integral part of the commencement activities of many of America’s privately endowed institutions and symbolizes the connection between these increasingly secular institutions and their historic origins.

There are three identical Baccalaureate Services during Commencement Weekend. Degree candidates may exchange baccalaureate tickets among themselves, but admission to a given service is only by tickets for that designated service. Each degree candidate is entitled to three guest tickets for the Baccalaureate Service, which allows for seating in Page Auditorium or Duke Chapel. Tickets are not required for candidates for degrees.