Commencement

Q: Do I need tickets for the Commencement ceremony?

A: Please visit the Commencement website for more information.

Q: When is the Commencement Ceremony?

A: Commencement ceremony is held in May. We do not have commencement ceremonies in August or December, those graduating in August or December are invited to participate in May.

Q: When will I be notified regarding my eligibility for graduation/commencement?

A: You will receive an email in the Spring Semester with instructions to complete the Graduation Verification Form if you are pre-certified by your academic department. If you do not receive an email and feel you are eligible to participate, please complete the Commencement Appeal Form (Undergraduates) in Highlander Pipeline or email Commencement@njit.edu.

Q: What is the Grad Fair?

A: The Grad Fair is for all Commencement Ceremony participants (undergraduates, graduates and PhD students). At the Grad Fair, you will receive your cap, gown, and academic honor distinction medal (if applicable). Grad Fair will be held during the Spring semester at the NJIT Joel & Diane Bloom Wellness and Events Center (WEC) from 9 am until 4 pm. You can join us any time to drop in and pick up your items. You do not have to stay for the duration of the event.

Q: What if I can not attend the Grad Fair?

A. If you can not attend the Grad Fair, you may send an authorized representative with a copy of your ID, a copy of their ID, and a letter authorizing him/her to pick up your commencement ceremony materials. You may also contact the bookstore, to have these items mailed to you for a shipping charge. Please see the Grad Fair website for more information and a sample authorization letter.

Q: When do I pick up my cap and gown?

A: Cap and gowns will be available for pick up at the Grad Fair. If you are not able to attend either day, you may send an authorized representative with a copy of your ID, a copy of their ID, and a letter authorizing him/her to pick up your commencement ceremony materials.

Q: Is there a charge for caps and gown?

A: There is no additional charge for your cap and gown.

Q: When will the list of Commencement participants be available?

A. The May Commencement participant list will be available in April. This will contain all May students who are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Q: What does it mean to be pre-certified?

A: Your academic department will determine if you are pre-certified for graduation. Pre-certified students are expected to complete all academic requirements for graduation by the end of the semester.

Q: What do I do if my department says I am not eligible to graduate?

Undergraduates: You can complete a Commencement Appeal Form on Highlander Pipeline if you wish to appeal your academic department's decision regarding your eligibility. The Commencement Appeal Form closes in March.

Graduates: Please contact the Graduates Studies Office at gso@njit.edu if you have questions regarding your academic department's eligibility determination or to request permission to walk (exceptional circumstances only).

Q: What is the difference between pre-certification and eligible to walk? Who determines if I am pre-certified or eligible to walk?

A: Your academic department will determine if you are pre-certified or eligible to walk. Pre-certified students are expected to complete all undergraduate academic requirements for graduation by the end of the Spring term.

Undergraduates: You are eligible to walk if you are within 2 courses of meeting all academic requirements for graduation and you are registered to take both courses during the Summer term. Eligible students will not appear in the May Commencement Booklet. Your name will appear in the next May Commencement Booklet.

Q: What do I do if my department says I am not eligible to graduate or participate in the Commencement Ceremony?

A: Undergraduates: If you feel you will complete all of your academic requirements by the end of May, or you are within 2 courses completing your degree and you are registered for both classes in Summer, please complete the Commencement Appeal Form in Highlander Pipeline.

Graduates: Please contact the Graduate Studies Office at gso@njit.edu if you have questions regarding your academic department's eligibility determination.

Q: If I anticipate graduating in August, can I participate in the May Commencement Ceremony?

A: Undergraduates: You are eligible to participate in the May Commencement Ceremony if you are within 2 courses of completing your degree and you are registered to complete those last 2 courses in Summer. You may also participate in the next May Commencement Ceremony, if you prefer. However, you may not participate in both ceremonies for the same degree. If you have more than 2 courses to graduate in Summer or you can not register for your last 2 courses in Summer, you are welcome to join us the following May.

Graduates: Prior August graduates may participate in the May Commencement Ceremony. Upcoming August graduates may request permission to participate, for exceptional circumstances only, by emailing gso@njit.edu.

Q: If I graduated in August or December, can I participate in the upcoming May Commencement Ceremony?

A: Yes, if you complete your degree in August or December, you may participate in the upcoming May Commencement Ceremony.

You may not participate in more than one ceremony for the same degree.

Q: Can I order rings and/or a diploma frame?

A: You may order rings and/or diploma frames at the NJIT bookstore or at the Grad Fair.

Q: What is the process for signing up for senior portraits?

A: Visit http://ouryear.com and use School Code 216 --> Select your date and appointment time.

Q: How can I order a Nucleus Yearbook?

A: To buy a Nucleus Yearbook, students can visit www.jostensyearbooks.com or by visiting nucleus.njit.edu and selecting “Order Now”. For assistance in buying a yearbook, or buying with a check/cash, and signing up for a portrait session, students can visit Nucleus in the Campus Center, 8:30am-4:30pm M-F Room 464, by calling Nucleus at 973-596-5620, or by e-mailing nucleus@njit.edu

Q: How do I obtain my veteran cord to wear during the Commencement Ceremony?

A: Veteran cords will be available at the Grad Fair.

Q: How do I obtain my academic honor medal (summa cum laude, magna cum laude, cum laude)?

A: Undergraduate academic honor medals will be available at the Grad Fair.

Q: How do my family members obtain a visa?

A: There is a sample Invitation Letter if you need to provide one for your family members to obtain a visa. NJIT does not issue invitation letters.