Graduate-Level Commencement Exercises

Be sure to stay up-to-date. Visit the commencement website often, check your St. John's email account and St. John's Connect for updated information.

1. Review and print out the Graduate-Level Commencement Exercises 2025 Student Information Book, coming soon.
2. Confirm your eligibility to graduate in May 2025 with your school/college advisor.
3. Order your diploma, starting March 7.
   - Log onto the New University Information System (UIS) via signon.stjohns.edu
   - Go to the Graduation Card
   - Within the Graduation Card - Select Apply for Diploma
4. Register to participate in the Commencement Exercises.
   - An email will be sent to your St. John's email account on March 14
   - You will receive instructions on how to logon to the Tassel site to register for commencement
5. Purchase your keepsake academic attire through the Herff Jones website and visit the Academic Attire page  for instructions on how to purchase attire.
6. Remember to complete the Graduating Student Survey and share your opinions! The Office of Institutional Research will email you a personalized link to the survey.
7. Visit the New University information System (UIS) to:
   - Review your transcript for accuracy of grade changes, transfer credits, etc.
   - Check your account for holds (parking tickets, general fees, etc), and clear all holds with the Bursar's Office
   - Update your home address and contact information
8. Do you have family or guests coming from outside the United States? If they need travel documentation, please visit the Registrar's Office to complete a request form.
9. Register and access your Mass tickets on the Tassel site.
10. Celebrate your graduation in style! Visit the Keepsake Items page. #SJUGrad
11. Send a congratulatory message to fellow graduates on the Celebrate the Class of 2025 page.

Friday, May 16, 2025

Graduate-Level Commencement Exercises for
St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 
The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies
Carnesecca Arena, Queens Campus
10 a.m.

Graduate-Level Commencement Exercises for
The School of Education
The Peter J. Tobin College of Business
Carnesecca Arena, Queens Campus
4 p.m.

Saturday, May 17, 2025

Commencement Mass  
Carnesecca Arena, Queens Campus
4 p.m. 

Graduates must register to attend and participate in the Graduate-Level Commencement Exercises. Students who have been deemed eligible to participate by their respective dean's office may register to attend the Commencement Exercises. To confirm your eligibility status, contact your dean's office.

Graduates will receive communications via their St. John's email with instructions on how to register. 

• Registration begins on Friday, March 14 and ends on Tuesday, April 22.
• Graduates will submit a pronunciation recording and provide the phonetics of their name which will assist in preparing the recording of their name for use as they cross the stage on commencement day. 
• Following registration, graduates will be able to claim their seven (7) guest tickets online.
• Registration must be completed for graduates' personalized Stage Pass to be created.

Each student must complete the registration process on the Tassel Site in order to receive their personalized Stage Pass on Commencement Day. 

• On Commencement Day, students will check-in at their line-up area in Taffner Field House, and receive their Stage Pass.
• As the graduate approaches the stage during the calling of names, their Stage Pass will be scanned.
• The Stage Pass will allow for the pre-recorded name of each graduate to be announced as the graduate walks across the stage. It will also allow for the graduates' name to be displayed on the large viewing screens, as the graduate walks across the stage.
• After the graduate crosses the stage, they are expected to return to their seats for the remainder of the ceremony and to recess out together with their fellow classmates.

All guests are required to present a ticket for entry to the Graduate-Level Commencement Exercises in Carnesecca Arena. Family and guests should arrive early and be seated at least 1 hour prior to the start of the ceremony.

Seating for guests is based on the order of arrival, and seats cannot be saved. All ticket holders must be present at the time of entry to be seated together. Children under the age of two do not require a ticket, however, they must be seated on an adult's lap.

Each graduate participating in the Commencement Exercises will receive seven (7) guest tickets.

Students will be able to assign, print and/or email their seven (7) allotted guest tickets from the the Tassel site.

Students are required to complete their registration, and provide phonetics for the pronunciation of their pre-recorded name before they can assign their guest tickets. 

Guest tickets will be scanned on the day of the ceremony. Tickets cannot be assigned to more than one individual or be duplicated. Tickets can only be scanned once, for admittance into the ceremony.

Additional tickets are not available. It is recommended that Graduates in need of additional tickets, reach out to fellow Johnnies who may not be utilizing all their tickets.

The Commencement Exercises will also be streamed live for those guests unable to attend the ceremony on our Commencement website.

Graduates must submit an online diploma application in order to receive their diploma. The last day to order your diploma is Friday, May 16.

Instructions for the Online Application for Diploma:

1. Log onto the New University Information System (UIS) via signon.stjohns.edu
2. Go to the Graduation Card
3. Within the Graduation Card - Select Apply for Diploma

Diplomas will be available the week of July 14, dependent upon the date the diploma was ordered. Contact your dean's office for more information.

Diplomas are ordered throughout the spring term, if a student applied late for their diploma, it will not be available to pick-up at the beginning of diploma distribution. Be sure to call your dean's office beforehand to confirm your diploma is available. Please contact the Registrar's Office for more information regarding the ordering process. 

Graduate Responsibilities:

• Graduates from St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies, should arrive in Taffner Field House, no later than 8:15 a.m. for check-in.
• Graduates from The School of Education and The Peter J. Tobin College of Business, should arrive in Taffner Field House, no later than 2:15 p.m. for check-in.
• Master degree candidates wear your academic attire (gown, hood, and cap) to the Commencement Exercises. Your tassel should be on the left side of your cap.
• Doctoral degree candidates wear your academic attire (gown and cap) to the ceremony and carry the hood over your right arm. You will be hooded during the ceremony.
• Wear comfortable footwear and clothing.
• It is strongly recommended not to bring personal belongings.
• Follow the line-up, processional and recessional instructions of your academic deans, marshals and event staff.
• Once directed to your row in the graduate seating area, remain standing until the end of the Invocation.
• Follow the instructions for the calling of your name as you are asked to walk across the stage. Be sure to bring your Stage Pass with you.
• If you need assistance during the Commencement, please locate your dean, event staff, or a Public Safety Officer.

Assembly and Line-up Locations:

• There is no rehearsal for the Commencement Exercises.
• The academic deans will be in the assembly area to check-in graduates and to distribute their personalized Stage Pass.

Ceremony Photography and Video

• There will be professional photographers from Grad Images® taking photographs of the graduates on the day of the ceremony.
• A copy of the live streamed video will be available for viewing on the Commencement website following the ceremony.
• Guests will not be able to approach the stage area or graduate seating area prior to the start of the ceremony or for the duration of the ceremony for any reason, including photography and videotaping.

Public Safety

• Please only bring necessary items with you on the day of Commencement. Please visit the Commencement Public Safety Advisory page for a listing of items that are not allowed at the ceremony.

Lost and Found

• The Office of Public Safety will collect and hold any items that are lost or found, during the ceremonies. If you need to report or find a lost item, please see a Public Safety Officer.

Will graduate names be called?

Yes, as an institution, we understand the importance of calling the names of each of our graduates. As part of the ceremony, graduates will scan their Stage Pass prior to crossing the stage allowing for their name to be announced as they walk across the stage and their name and degree to appear on the screens for family and guests to view.

Where can I obtain my Stage Pass?

Students can obtain their personalized Stage Pass on the day of their ceremony. Students must complete the registration process in order for a Stage Pass to be created. The student's Stage Pass is customized for each student and cannot be shared amongst graduates. It will allow for the graduates name to be announced during the ceremony and their name and degree to appear on the screens as the graduate walks across the stage.

Will graduates be hooded on stage?

Doctoral degree students will be hooded on stage and are asked to place their academic hood over their right arm during the procession. Master degree students will not be hooded on stage and are asked to wear their hood to the ceremony.

How long is the Commencement Exercise?

Great care has been taken to ensure the ceremonies are completed as quickly and smoothly as possible. The ceremony is expected to last approximately 2 hours. 

How do I order my diploma?

Eligible students can order diplomas by visiting the New UIS via signon.stjohns.edu, selecting the Graduation Card and then Apply for Diploma. 

When can I expect to receive my diploma?

Diplomas will be available the week of July 14, 2025, dependent upon the date the diploma was ordered. Student's should contact their dean's office for more information.

Do I need to purchase academic attire to attend the Commencement Exercises?

Yes, wearing academic attire (cap, gown and hood) is both a tradition and a requirement to participate in the Commencement Exercises. For more information regarding purchasing keepsake academic attire, please visit the Academic Attire page.

Does the University provide honor society cords for its graduates?

For more information regarding honor society cords and stoles, and how to receive them, students should contact the honor society's administrator or dean's office.

Where can I purchase keepsake items and other stoles for graduation?

Please visit the Keepsake Items page, for information on how to purchase keepsake items for your graduation.

Do guests need tickets to attend the Commencement Exercises?

Yes, guests will need to present and scan their assigned ticket, either electronically or in printed form, upon arrival to Carnesecca Arena. Please note that once a ticket is scanned, it will not allow for additional scans or entry to the ceremony.

Graduates will be able to claim and assign their guest tickets once they complete their registration to attend the ceremony.

Seating for guests is based on the order of arrival, and seats cannot be saved. All ticket holders must be present at the time of entry to be seated together. Children under the age of two, do not require a ticket, however must be seated on an adult's lap. 

Are tickets required to attend the Commencement Mass?

Yes, the Commencement Mass, on Saturday, May 17, does require tickets for entry. Students can register and access their Mass tickets on the Tassel site.

Will the University livestream the Commencement Mass?

Yes, the Commencement Mass will be streamed live and will be available on the Commencement Website to view on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 4 p.m.

Will the Commencement Exercises be streamed live?

Yes, each of the Graduate-Level Commencement Exercises will be streamed live and will be available on the Commencement Website the day of the ceremony.

Will a Commemorative Book with graduate names be available to students?

Yes, the Digital Commemorative Books with graduate names will be available for graduates and family to view, print and download. The digital format can be found on the Commencement website starting Monday, June 23, 2025.

Will students and guests receive a program book on the day of the Commencement Exercises?

Graduates will receive a shortened program book at the Commencement Exercises. Guests will receive a QR code to access a digital copy of the program book.

Who do I contact if I have other questions regarding the Commencement Exercises?

If you have questions regarding Commencement planning, please contact the Office of University Events via email at universityevents@stjohns.edu.

If you have questions regarding academic requirements, please contact your dean's office, their contact information can be found by visiting the Important Contacts page.

Graduates and Guests are permitted to park on campus. Please enter through Gate 3 on Utopia Parkway or Gate 4 on Union Turnpike.

Additional parking is available in the campus garages. Entrances to the garages are off of Union Turnpike.

Allow ample time to find parking and if parking on our neighborhood streets, please be sure to follow local NYC parking regulations where applicable.

Visit the Directions and Area Hotels page for directions and for a listing of local area hotels.

View the Queens Campus map.