Commencement FAQ

 


Eligibility

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.

Graduates who have had Federal Direct Loans while at Stockton must complete EXIT counseling. EXIT Counseling provides important information to prepare students to repay their federal student loan(s). Complete EXIT Counseling. A holdwill be placed on your account until you complete the Exit Counseling requirement. You will not be able to receive your official transcript of diploma until you complete this requirement. Graduates with questions about loans should contact Financial Aid at (609) 652-4203.

Learn more about participating in the Commencement ceremony before completing degree requirements.

Regalia

Grad Finale has concluded.

Graduates who would like to participate in Commencement and have not picked up their cap, gown, and guest tickets should complete the Regalia Request Form 2023. An email will be sent from commencement@stockton.edu once your regalia and 8 guest tickets are ready for pick up. Please note this may take 10 business days. Do not attempt to pick up regalia prior to receiving that email. It will not be available. 

Regalia is required for participation in the ceremony. Baccalaureate and Master's degree candidates between 4'10" and 7'0" gown fitting and distribution will be done on-site at Grad Finale. Graduates who do not fall within this height range should email commencement@stockton.edu by April 1 to make alternate arrangements.

Pre-ordered regalia is required for participation in the ceremony 

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”. Samples of both the Sussex and Windsor style gowns can be found at the Campus Center Bookstore.The deadline has passed to place a Fine Quality Order. If you need assistance with regalia please email commencement@stockton.edu.
  • 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. 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. The deadline has passsed to place a rental order. If you need assistance with regalia please email commencement@stockton.edu.
      

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. 

Yes, the individual picking must have the graduate's Z number, height and weight to determine the size of your gown.

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 as appropriate commencement regalia. Please refer to the information below.

Required Regalia:

  • Black Gown
  • Black Mortarboard or Cap
  • Tassel
  • Hood
  • Shoes

Optional Regalia:

  • Latin Honors Cord, if earned, for Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude or Cum Laude
  • Veterans Cord, for student veterans
  • Stole or pin to signify membership in a Stockton-authorized group, i.e., sororities, EOF, a specific program, etc.

Inappropriate and unauthorized adornments:

  • Any cord other than those mentioned above
  • Any medallion
  • More than one stole
  • 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.

Only Baccalaureate degree candidates with Latin honors will receive an official honor cord. Latin honor cords will be distributed the day of Commencement at check-in.

Questions pertaining to all other specialized regalia should be directed to your group's advisor, coach, program leader etc. 

Master's and Baccalaureate degree candidates may keep their cap, tassel, gown and hood. Faculty, staff and Doctoral degree candidates who rented regalia need to return their rented gown and hood to the designated location after the ceremony. They may keep their cap and tassel.

Ticketing

Each graduate will receive 8 guest tickets.

Extra tickets are not available. Graduates are encouraged to ask fellow graduates if they have tickets they do not plan to use. Commencement guest tickets are University property and are not be sold.

No, guest seating is general admission. The row and seat numbers on the tickets can be disregarded.

Yes, all guests need a ticket regardless of age.

Please email commencement@stockton.edu. There will be a replacement fee.

No, please see the section below labeled accessibility.

Commencement Day Information

10:00 a.m. 
School of Arts and Humanities
School of Health Sciences
School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

2:30 p.m.
School of Business
School of Education
School of General Studies
School of Social & Behavioral Sciences

If a graduate is unsure of which academic school their major falls in, they should visit www.stockton.edu/academic-affairs/academic-schools-programs.

No, Boardwalk Hall is not the same location as the Atlantic City Convention Center. Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall is located directly on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. The address is 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401.

Please visit our Commencement Parking website.

No, there is no dress code.

The doors to Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall will open 90 minutes prior to the start of the ceremony. 

Items that are prohibited in Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall 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 were emailed an invitation from Marching Order to utilize a call-in feature to advise on pronunciation.

Island Photography is our official Commencement Photographer for 2023. 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, there will be concessions available for guests to purchase on the concourse level.

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.

The ceremony is estimated to be approximately 2 hours.

Baccalaureate degree candidates should wear their hood to Boardwalk Hall. Watch this helpful video about baccalaureate regalia and how to wear your hood.

Master’s and Doctoral graduates should not put on their hood prior to the Commencement ceremony. Instead Master’s and Doctoral graduates should carry their hood with them and drape it over their left arm when approaching the hooding station.

Yes, there will be flower sales on the concourse level. Net proceeds will benefit the Stockton University Women's Volleyball Team.

Yes, the bookstore will be on site with a selection of Stockton University items for purchase.

Yes, re-entry will be allowed, but all guests must have a ticket.

Yes, links to the live streams will be posted to stockton.edu/commencement.

The ceremony is scheduled to end approximately 2 hours after the start. Making a reservations 2.5 to 3 hours after the start of the ceremony should be sufficient. However, please factor in time to exit the building, meet your party, and travel to your destination.

Accessibility

Please note that while Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall is fully compliant with the American Disabilities Act, the facility is very large. Due to the sheer size, it may be difficult for individuals with limited mobility to navigate the distance from the available parking area(s) to the arena or concourse seating areas. Please refer to the following special needs parking and seating information as you make decisions and arrangements. Special needs parking and seating accommodations are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Special needs parking is available in the parking garage below Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. Please follow signage and attendant direction upon arrival. 

Special needs seating is limited, so please arrive early and see an usher for assistance. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer reserved seating. Additionally, special needs seating locations will be restricted to guests with special seating needs and one companion. Guests who are unable to navigate stairs or the escalator will be given priority access to elevators.

Yes, there will be American Sign Language interpreters at the ceremony. The interpreters will be shown as a picture-in-picture on the arena projection screens.

No, there are no rental wheelchairs available. If an individual has mobility issues it is suggested that they rent a wheelchair prior to coming to the ceremony.

Diploma

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.