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Graduation

IWP Graduates at Commencement

Requirements for Graduation

To be eligible for the degree, each M.A. student will be required to:

  1. Complete the Application for Graduation in Empower and pay the $250 graduation fee (required of all students);
  2. Have fulfilled all credit and course requirements for the degree. This includes completing all outstanding Incomplete grades (please contact Jason Johnsrud at jjohnsrud@iwp.edu if you have any questions);
  3. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as outlined in the Catalog and Student Handbook (min. 3.00 GPA, etc.);
  4. Pass the oral and written comprehensive examinations. If you intend to “walk” at the annual Commencement in May but finish your coursework in the Summer, you must take your comps according to the Spring deadlines;
  5. Pass a language proficiency exam (for the M.A. in Statecraft and International Affairs only; there is a $100 fee for this exam);
  6. Complete Financial Aid Exit Counseling (contact TJ Snowden at financialaid@iwp.edu);
  7. Return all library books and pay any outstanding fines; and
  8. Ensure that all tuition and fee balances have been paid in full. Contact the Business Office at Student.Finances@iwp.edu if you have any questions. IMPORTANT: To be eligible to participate in the annual Commencement ceremony, students must also have zero tuition and fee balances.

Awards Ceremony and Open House for Graduates, Families, and Guests

Friday, May 15, 2026
5:00 PM Awards Ceremony
6:00-8:00 PM Open House for Graduates, Families, and Guests
IWP’s Washington, D.C. campus

Commencement for the Class of 2026

Ceremony

Saturday, May 16, 2026
The Fairmont, Washington, D.C.
2401 M St NW, Washington, DC 20037
9:00 AM Headshots available for graduates.
10:00 AM Graduates should arrive no later than 10:00 AM. Caps and gowns will be available at the hotel.
Ceremony begins at 11:00 AM
Reception begins at approximately 1:00 PM

Tickets

To request tickets for Commencement, please contact RSVP@iwp.edu.

Accommodations

IWP has a limited room block at the Fairmont for the nights of May 14-16, 2026, for a rate of $399 per night. Book a room online or call 1-800-441-1414. Make sure you mention “The Institute of World Politics Commencement” when making the reservation. The deadline to book a guest room is April 20.

Parking

If you and your guests plan to drive to the hotel, there is a garage at the hotel (for a daily fee). There is also the US News Garage (managed by Colonial Parking) about one block north of the hotel at 1223 24th Street, NW. You may also look at other parking options. The nearest Metro stop is Foggy Bottom (Orange/Blue line). This stop is about 4 blocks from the hotel.

Regalia

IWP will rent regalia for Master’s degree recipients. Doctorate recipients may purchase regalia or have IWP rent it. For information on purchasing doctoral regalia, see this pdf: IWP Doctoral Regalia Ordering

Please stay tuned for information about picking up your regalia. Graduates will be able to claim their diploma upon returning the regalia, with package, to IWP. Graduates who already have their diplomas may simply return their regalia at the end of the ceremony.

Class of 2022