Logistics

Location

The Rialto Center for the Arts

80 Forsyth St., NW

Atlanta, GA 30303

Parking

Equitable Parking Deck

Parking on the street is FREE on Sundays

Commencement Schedule

IF YOU HAVE NOT COMPLETED YOUR FINANCIAL AID COUNSELING AND CAREER SERVICES EXIT INTERVIEWS, YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMENCEMENT. ANY RESERVED TICKETS WILL BE DEACTIVATED.

Announcement Cards: A table will be located in the graduate holding area with announcement cards. There will be a sign to direct you to this area. No friends and family are permitted in this area. Please hold on to these cards, as they will be used to call your name during the ceremony.

11:00 a.m.

  • Parking WILL NOT be accessible until 11:00 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

  • Graduate Arrival
    • Graduates are to arrive ROBED to the graduate holding area (Presidential Suite), located on the lower level. This area will be used to hold personal items during the ceremony. Please limit the number of items brought with you.
  • Graduates, please arrive no later than 11:40 a.m. A table will be set up in the holding area. All graduates MUST complete the announcement card. Please remember that family and friends are not permitted into the graduate holding area and no exceptions will be made. Security will be provided to secure all robing rooms.

12:00 p.m.

  • Commencement practice (Theater).
  • You will be directed to the theater and directed where to sit.

12:30 p.m.

  • Class photo (NO STOLES OR CORDS)
  • After the photo, you will be escorted back to the holding area to prepare for line-up.

12:45 p.m.

  • Doors open for guest seating.

1:00 p.m.

  • Processional line-up.
  • Line-up is as follows:
    • Valedictorians
    • Award Recipients
    • 2023 graduates (A-Z)

1:30 p.m.

  • Processional begins- commencement ceremony.
  • Please note that once the procession starts, graduates will not be permitted to enter the line.
  • Please do not stop the processional line for pictures, hugs, etc.
  • Be prepared for commencement exercises to last a minimum of 2.5 hours. Of course, this depends on our speakers.

Guest Seating

  • Guests will not have access into the theater until 12:30 p.m.
  • NO BALLOONS ARE ALLOWED INSIDE OF THE THEATER.
  • Guests will not be required to have a ticket, however we do ask that graduates be mindful and considerate of your classmates with the number of guests you plan to invite.
  • The theater seats 833 guests.
  • There will be no overflow seating!
  • There will be live streaming!
  • Please let your guests know that there will be several sections roped off for the graduates and distinguished guests. These areas are not to be sat in.
  • Please communicate with your guests, that saving seats, placing items in seats, or anything that may prohibit a guest from sitting is prohibited.
  • Once the music for the processional begins, family and guests will not be allowed in or seated until after the invocation has completed. No exceptions will be made. Please remind your guests to be courteous and wait until ushers open the doors and are able to seat them.
  • Guests are not permitted to walk down the center aisles to take photographs. We will have professional photographers on site capturing the event.

After the Ceremony

  • Immediately after the ceremony, you MUST return to the graduate robing room to return the diploma covers in order to receive your diploma.
  • Please note, if you received a loan during your time at AJMLS and have not completed your Financial Aid Exit Counseling, you will not be eligible to receive your diploma. No exceptions will be made.
  • Please note, if you have not completed your Career Services Graduate Interview, you will not receive your diploma. No exceptions will be made.
  • Please note, if you have a balance on your student account, you will not receive your diploma. No exceptions will be made.
  • Please note, Graduates who were not eligible to participate in graduation are also not eligible to have a transcript released to any State Bar until all holds have been resolved.

Photographs

A professional photographer will take a photo of you during hooding, with the Dean, and one prior to leaving the stage. A coupon for discounts on photo packages will be included with your regalia upon pick up. In order to receive the discount, you will need to register prior to the ceremony.