Participation in the ceremony is voluntary. All graduates who plan to attend the Commencement Ceremony must obtain regalia (cap, gown, hood, and tassel). More information can be found under the Important Dates link. There is no rehearsal for Commencement. 

Graduates should remember their guest tickets and regalia (cap, gown, hood, and tassel). Guests cannot enter Boardwalk Hall main entrance without presenting a ticket.

It may be helpful to choose an after ceremony meet up point with your party before entering the building. Cell phone reception is limited inside the building.

Doors open at 8:15am for the morning ceremony and 1:15pm for the afternoon ceremony. Family members and guests will be directed to enter through the main entrance to Boardwalk Hall on the boardwalk. Graduates will be directed to enter through the West Hall entrance on the boardwalk. Graduates should plan to be on site no later than 8:30am for the morning ceremony and 1:30pm for the afternoon ceremony. 

Graduate check-in will take place in West Hall at Boardwalk Hall. Lines will be arranged in alphabetical order by last name. Graduates will receive their name reader card when they check in. This card should be safeguarded. It will be used to read the graduates name as they cross the stage as well as display their name on the screens in Boardwalk Hall.

After checking in and receiving their name reader card graduates will be directed to their line-up location. Line-up locations will be determined by  school and major. Only very limited special needs seating will be available in this area so graduates should wear sensible shoes. Secure storage will not be available. Graduates should not bring anything they do not plan to have with them throughout the ceremony. Graduates should use this time to use the restrooms as the ceremony will be 2.5 hours long.

The procession will start from the line up areas promptly at 9:25am and 2:25pm. Two lines will be processing at the same time. Graduates should make sure to follow the individual in front of them to maintain the correct line order.

Graduates will proceed up the ADA ramp and hand their name card to the reader. When directed, graduates will proceed across the stage to shake hands with the President. A picture will be taken while the President and the graduate are shaking hands.

Next the graduate will recieve their diploma cover from their Dean then exit the platform by proceeding down the ADA ramp at the other end of stage. A second photo will be taken at the bottom of the ramp, in front of a green screen. After the second photo is taken graduates will be directed to return to their seat.

Once graduates have crossed the stage they are asked to please respect their fellow students and their experience of the ceremony by returning to their seat until the recessional.

Proofs of the photos will automatically be mailed and emailed to the graduate in the weeks following the ceremony.

The recessional will be led by the University Grand Marshal followed by the Platform Party and Faculty. The graduates will follow after. The ceremony is expected to be completed in 2 to 2.5 hours.

After exiting Boardwalk Hall, through West Hall, graduates are encouraged to meet their families on Boardwalk. The picturesque environment will be ideal for family photos. Please note, cell phone reception is limited inside the building. It is recommended that graduates connect with their family and friends after they have exited the building. Graduates and guests are encouraged to dine at one of the many restaurants in the Atlantic City area.

For questions regarding diploma delivery, 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