General Information for Students and Guests

Eligibility

Graduate students may participate in the Hooding and Recognition Ceremony and Commencement if they have received their Ph.D. or final Master’s degree during Academic Year 24-25, or will complete all degree requirements and submit final paperwork to the Graduate School by Thursday, May 8, 2025.  

The Hooding and Recognition Ceremony is for graduate students who have completed all degree requirements for a Ph.D. or a final master’s degree. Students who have completed the requirements for a master’s degree during their course of study toward a doctoral degree are not recognized in this ceremony. 

Hooding and Commencement Registration 

All graduate students received an email on Thursday, January 30, 2025. If you are eligible to participate in this year's ceremonies, follow the instructions to register. The registration form will instruct you to register for three events: the Hooding and Recognition Ceremony, the Hooding Luncheon, and the University Commencement. Register by April 25, 2025. For questions, contact [email protected].

SPIA students: Please note that the School of Public and International Affairs holds an additional advanced degree ceremony for SPIA MPA and MPP students. Registration for the SPIA ceremony is a separate process and does not register you for the Graduate School's Hooding and Recognition Ceremony, or the University's Commencement. Please be sure to complete both registrations. 

Selecting Faculty to Hood You

If you are receiving a Ph.D. in the Hooding & Recognition Ceremony, you must select and ask one Princeton faculty member to hood you. This information will be requested on the ceremony registration form. In most cases, either your adviser or someone from your dissertation committee will be available and an enthusiastic participant in the celebration! Occasionally, your preferred faculty member is not available due to travel or other commitments. In that case, the University marshal will hood you.

Although all Princeton faculty members can attend the ceremony, you must select one person to hood you. 

You may not be hooded by anyone other than a Princeton faculty member.

Diplomas

  • Advanced degree recipients for the May degree period will receive their diplomas by mail. Please make sure to submit your advanced degree application by May 8, 2025. Your diploma will be mailed to the address provided on your advanced degree application. Please note that it may take 6-8 weeks after the degree date for your diploma to arrive. We strongly encourage you to provide an address that you will have access to for at least 6 months after graduation. 
  • September '24, November '24, January '25, and March ’25 advanced degree recipients should have already received their diplomas by mail.

Class Rings, Degree Frames and Printed Announcements

The Ring and Frame Agency will be set up on Cannon Green on May 26, 2025. Please visit their website for information on their products.

Event Tickets

Tickets are not required for the Hooding and Recognition Ceremony. Please limit luncheon guests to two people.

Commencement tickets will be mailed to graduates starting in mid-March. Please allow 3-5 weeks for delivery.  If you choose to pick up your Commencement tickets, you may do so at the Frist A Level Ticketing Office, from Monday, May 19 to Sunday, May 25 between noon-3 pm; and on Monday, May 26 between 9 a.m. and noon. For ticketing questions, contact [email protected].

International Guests

If you need an invitation letter for international guests to attend to obtain a visa to travel, please send requests to [email protected] as soon as possible.

Accessibility

There are a limited number of accessible seats at the Hooding and Recognition Ceremony. Accessible seating is also available at the indoor simulcast sites in Frist Campus Center: B Level Multipurpose Rooms; 100 Level TV Lounge; and Room 302 (3rd Floor). If you or another member of your family needs accommodation for a disability, please contact the Office of Disability Services  at 609-258-8840 as soon as possible and no later than May 1 with information about your particular needs.

Hooding and Recognition Photography

The Graduate School will have professional photographers on hand to capture the ceremony, and take photos of each graduate. Graduates will be notified by email when photos are available to downloaded.  

Students and guests may take their own photos but must remain seated and not block the aisles. This ensures the ceremony is on schedule and safe and comfortable for all attendees.