Doctoral and Master's Ceremony FAQs
It is the student’s responsibility to apply for graduation for the term that it is anticipated that all graduation requirements will be met. Visit the Office of the Registrar for more information.
Those approved to graduate will have the option to participate in the Commencement ceremony in May.
Graduation is the successful completion of all major requirements AND the awarding of a degree. At Stockton, students can graduate three times a year -- May, August and December. Students must complete the online Graduation Application in order to begin the graduation process.
Commencement is the University's annual celebration of academic accomplishments that occurs in May. Participation in the Commencement ceremony is not required and does not guarantee the awarding of a degree.
Graduate and/or doctoral Student Commencement Speakers are nominated by the Chair of their respective program. Program Chairs are formally notified of this process by the Office of the Provost after the final day of the established deadline for students applying for graduation. The minimum requirements include:
- A cumulative grade point average of 3.95 or higher at the time of application.
- Graduating in the Spring or completed degree requirements during the previous Summer or Fall semester.
- Being in good academic and financial standing with the institution.
The President and the Board of Trustees of Stockton University invite nominations for the Commencement Speaker, Honorary Degree, and Presidential Medal of Distinction recipients. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni may participate in the nomination process.
Commencement Speaker, Honorary Degree, and Presidential Medal Nomination
Cap and gown distribution will take place at Grad Finale:
April 21 & 22, 2025
10:00am - 5:00pm
Campus Center Event Room
Each graduate will receive 10 guest tickets at Grad Finale.
Doctoral Graduates have two options for ordering regalia:
- Graduates may purchase a Fine Quality Custom Regalia Package that includes the Stockton University gown, an academic hood and tam. The gown and tam are custom made to the student's exact measurements. This package ships directly to the graduate’s home and the cost of this package is paid directly to Jostens. Fine quality gowns can be ordered by visiting Jostens.com/Stockton and clicking “Fine Quality Regalia”. Since this is a custom order, please place your order no later than March 1st, 2025. Samples of both the Sussex and Windsor style gowns are available in the Campus Center Bookstore.
- Graduates may pre-order a rental gown package, at no additional cost. The rental package includes a gown, academic hood, souvenir mortar board cap and tassel. Please note, there is a difference in appearance of the rental package gown/cap and the Fine Quality Custom gown/tam. The rental package does not include a tam. The rental package will be shipped directly to the University for pick up and pick up instructions will be sent at a later date. All rental gowns and hoods must be returned after the ceremony. Graduates may keep the souvenir mortar board and tassel. Graduates who do not return the rentals will be charged full price for the missing regalia. Rental regalia orders can be placed using the Doctoral Rental Regalia Order Form. The deadline to place a rental order is March 1st, 2025.
Please note: Candidates may also choose to order a rental gown or hood but purchase a la carte Fine Quality hood and/or tam at an additional cost. Those orders can be placed using the Jostens a la carte order form. All a la carte purchases are shipped directly to the candidate's address by Jostens. All order forms must be faxed to 1-800-655-5725. Students choosing this option must fill out the Doctoral Rental Regalia Order Form and the Jostens a la carte order form.
There is a replacement cost for lost caps and gowns. If you have lost your cap and gown please email commencement@stockton.edu.
Candidates for graduation who will be participating in commencement should pay careful
attention to what Stockton deems appropriate and inappropriate commencement regalia.
Please refer to the information below.
Required Regalia:
- Black Gown
- Black Mortarboard or Cap
- Tassel
- Hood
- Shoes
Optional Regalia:
- Veterans Cord, for student veterans
- Program Distinction stole (for participating programs only, refer to your Program Handbook for more information.)
- Stole or pin to signify membership in a Stockton-authorized group
Inappropriate and unauthorized adornments:
- Any cord other than those mentioned above
- Any adornment that is not specific to the current commencement ceremony (e.g., candidates for the master’s or doctorate should not wear an honors cord they were awarded as an undergraduate)
Candidates who wish to show their creativity or excitement for graduating may decorate the top of their mortarboards; this is the only ornamentation that is permitted.
Master's degree candidates may keep their cap, tassel, gown and hood.
Faculty, staff and the Doctor degree candidates, who rented a regalia, will need to return their rented gown and hood to the designated location after the ceremony. They may keep their cap and tassel.
Each graduate will receive 10 guest tickets.
Graduates seeking additional guest tickets are initially advised to ask fellow graduates who may not be utilizing their full allotment. If this option is not successful, you may email commencement@stockton.edu. The email should be titled Request for Additional Guest Tickets (and state which ceremony, AM or PM). Should additional guest tickets be available, an email will be sent with details on when and where to pick them up.
Commencement guest tickets are University property and are not be sold.
No, this event is general admission.
Yes, all guests need a ticket regardless of age.
It is imperative that guest tickets be safeguarded. Please email commencement@stockton.edu. There will be a replacement fee.
No, please see the section below labeled accessibility.
No, there is no dress code.
The hooding ceremony dates back to medieval times when faculty mentors hooded students. At Stockton, this honor is bestowed upon a program faculty member.
No, the hood should remain off and unbuttoned and you will be hooded on stage. You will enter into the Sports Center with the hood draped over our right arm. Again, please make sure the hood remains unbuttoned. More details will be provided during lineup.
Please follow Campus Police direction when you arrive on campus.
Candidates will report to the Campus Center, no later than 1:30pm. The ceremony will begin promptly at 2:00pm.
Doors will open approximately 60 minutes prior to the advertised start time of the ceremony.
Items that are prohibited in the Sports Center include:
- weapons of any kind
- alcoholic beverages
- illegal substances
- noise makers
- balloons
- signs
If you are in possession of them you will be asked to take them back to your vehicle.
Graduates hand the card they received at check-in to the stage assistant. The card’s scan barcode is associated with a professionally pre-recorded reading of the name. The graduate’s name and degree(s) are displayed on the screen.
Graduates will be emailed an invitation from MarchingOrder to utilize a call-in feature to advise on pronunciation.
Island Photography is our official Commencement Photographer. They will be providing professional photo coverage for every graduate as they are recognized during the ceremony. Proofs will be delivered via email within 48-72 hours after the ceremony.
Please contact their customer service team if you have any concerns or questions - custserv@islandphoto.com or 800-869-0908.
Yes, some of the on campus food service operations will be open the day of the ceremony. Please note that food and beverage are not allowed in the Sports Center Arena. There will be a light reception in the Campus Center after the ceremony.
It is recommended that individuals refrain from bringing large bags unless it is absolutely necessary (i.e. - diaper bags). Large bags will be subject to search.
Students and guests are encouraged to meet at the reception, immediately following the ceremony, in the Campus Center Event Room.
Yes, links to the live streams will be posted to stockton.edu/commencement.
The ceremony is scheduled to end approximately 1 hour and fifteen minutes after the start, directly followed by a reception in the Campus Center. Making a reservation 2 hours after the start of the ceremony should be sufficient. However, please give time for departure traffic from the parking lots and the amount of time it takes to reach your destination.
Special-needs seating will be available upon arrival. When the guests arrive they should ask an usher for assistance. Ushers will make every effort to seat the entire party together however it is not guaranteed. Please arrive early to ensure your party will be seated together.
For questions regarding your diploma, please email registrar@stockton.edu.
The Bachelor's diploma size is 8.5' x 11" and the Master's and Doctoral diploma size is 11" x 14".
Stockton University diploma frames are available for purchase at the University Store located in the Campus Center or online at Stockton University Bookstore.
An Official Transcript is a printed transcript that contains an official college seal, which can be used to verify your degree. Most commonly, Official Transcripts are used for employment purposes, applying to graduate school or transferring to another institution. An Unofficial Transcript can only be viewed and printed from the students online account and is primarily used for personal reasons.
More information about transcripts can be found at the Office of the Registrar's About Transcripts webpage.
