Graduates

Order your regalia here.

Regalia:

• Doctoral:
  Gowns are black, have full, bell-shaped sleeves, each with three velvet bands matching the velvet facing of the gown opening.
  Tams are made from velvet, and are “poofed” at the top of the head instead of flat.
• Masters:
  Gowns are black, have long, closed sleeves with slits at the arms at the elbows.
  Caps are flat, black, have 4 sides and have a tassel with a single button at the top.
  Hoods are black and lined with University colors. The border of the hood color indicates the academic discipline in which the degree was earned.
• Bachelors: Gowns are black, have long, pointed sleeves and are worn closed.
  Caps are flat, black, have 4 sides and have a tassel with a single button at the top.
  Hoods are black and lined with University colors. The border of the hood color indicates the academic discipline in which the degree was earned.
• Associates: Gowns are black, have long, pointed sleeves and are worn closed.
  Caps are flat, black, have four sides and have a tassel with a single button at the top.
  Hood: The Associate’s hood displays the University colors on the lining and lays flat on the back.

Honors cords:
Undergraduate learners who are eligible for Ceremonial or Latin honors will receive honors cords shipped to them as part of the regalia package. If your academic record has been updated since receiving regalia, you can either receive honors cords at the ceremony, or contact commencement@snhu.edu for more information. A copy of the honors policy can be found here.

Military cords:
Current and former servicemembers are eligible for military honors cords. You will receive them when you check in with the Registrar at the Arena on the day of Commencement. If you cannot attend the ceremony, they will be shipped to you with your regalia.

Honor Society Regalia:
If you have received an honor society cord and/or stole mailed to you from a nationally recognized honor society, you will be allowed to wear them at your ceremony. If you are an inducted member of a SNHU-affiliated honor society, you can purchase the items individually from the National Office and have it mailed to you prior to Commencement weekend. No online program honor society items can be purchased at Commencement or through the SNHU Bookstore. SNHU-Affiliated Honor Society regalia questions should be sent to AcadHonorSociety@snhu.edu.

Study-Abroad/International Stoles:
If you have been issued an international stole from a SNHU study abroad program or from a previous institution, you may wear it over your regalia at the ceremony. International stoles must be purchased from a reputable regalia provider to be permitted to be worn at Commencement (i.e. Oak Hall, Vision Wear, etc.). No stoles will be available for purchase at the Arena. University Campus students only: Please contact studyabroad@snhu.edu with questions.

Keepsake Stoles:
SNHU has coordinated discount pricing for graduates interested in purchasing First Generation, LGBTQA+ or Kente stoles during the regalia ordering process. Graduates are encouraged to wear these stoles on Commencement day.

1. Submit your Petition for Conferral before March 1 to be considered eligible for the Spring ceremony and October 1 to be considered eligible for the Fall ceremony. Additional details are in the Policies and Etiquette tab below.
2. Please check your SNHU email for the invitation to your ceremony. Register to attend and reserve your guest tickets. Registration deadlines are clearly specified in your email invitation.
3. Order your regalia.
4. Plan your Commencement Weekend. Tell your guests to visit our Commencement page for important information.
5. Send announcements and order your class ring at the Balfour Online Store.
6. #SNHUCelebrate - Share your good news and follow Commencement Weekend happenings on social media: SNHU Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
7. Confirm your alumni profile. Update your information and get involved with the Office of Alumni Engagement.
8. Accessibility Services - If you need accessibility support, please see the Accessibility Support tab below for more information.

1. Graduates, you will receive your guest tickets via email during the week before your Commencement ceremony. Please have your guest bring a printed or digital copy with them to the event; graduates do not need a ticket to enter. Bring your SNHU issued cap, gown, tassel and hood with you, and any SNHU affiliated honor society regalia you have ordered in advance.

2. Please arrive at Delta Dental Stadium at 1 Line Dr, Manchester, NH, 90 minutes before your ceremony and enter through the Main Gate. Parking is available in the SNHU Millyard Parking Garage at 75 South Commercial Street, Manchester, NH and on city streets.

3. Masks are required while in motion. All graduates and guests may remove their masks once seated. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided for you to wear during the event.

4. When you arrive at the Delta Dental Stadium:

• Every graduate and guest will be subject to a bag check at the entrance. The stadium will permit medical bags, manufactured diaper bags that accompany infants and young children, and 4.5" x 6.5" clutch purses for personal items. We ask that guests only bring necessary items and keep track of their personal belongings at all times.
• Please leave your personal items (including coats and purses) with your family and friends. There is no storage provided for belongings.
• Please note what section and row your party is seated in (suggestion- use your cell phone and take a photo of the section number) as post-ceremony you will be rejoining them. Also, please use this time to use the restroom or get a refreshment.
• Once your guests are seated, proceed out the right field gate to the Fisher Cats rear parking lot and check in with the registrar’s table to receive your card for the announcer and any eligible honors cords you may not have received in the mail. Graduates may write pronunciations on cards for our name readers.
• Line up for the processional by following the directions of staff to line up by school, graduating class and degree earned.
• At the beginning of the ceremony, follow the directions from staff as you process out onto the field. Seats are not assigned.
• During the name-reading portion of the ceremony, staff will guide you to the front of the field at the appropriate time to have your name read and portraits taken. Staff will direct you back to your seat. (You will arrive back at the same seat).
• Outside food and beverages are not allowed. Concession stands will be open to purchase food and drink. No alcohol will be served during the event.

5. After the ceremony is finished, you will be directed to leave the field and join your guests for the fireworks show.

6. Enjoy - Relax and enjoy your moment! The ceremony will last approximately 2 - 2.5 hours. Out of courtesy to all of our graduates, we ask that you remain for the duration.

1. Graduates, you will receive your guest tickets in an email two days before the event. Please have your guest bring a printed or digital copy with them to the event; graduates do not need a ticket to enter. Bring your SNHU issued cap, gown, tassel and hood with you, and any SNHU affiliated honor society regalia you have ordered in advance.

2. Please arrive at SNHU Arena at 555 Elm Street, Manchester, NH, one hour before your ceremony. Graduates, please enter through the loading dock area off of Cedar Street or Auburn Street side. Guest doors open 90 minutes before the ceremony.

3. Masks are required while indoors. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided for you to wear during the event.

4. When you arrive at the SNHU Arena:

• Every graduate and guest will be subject to a bag check at the entrance.
• Please leave your personal items (including coats and purses) with your family and friends. There is no storage provided for belongings.
• Go through security. Safety is our number one concern.
• Check in at the registrar’s table and receive any eligible honors cords you may not have received in the mail. Graduates may write pronunciations on cards for our name readers or plan on speaking their name in real-time to the announcer.
• Once checked in, proceed inside of the SNHU Arena -- an aisle marshal will direct you to your seat.
• Staff will guide you to the stage at the appropriate time to have your name read and portraits taken. Proceed down the center aisle to the back of the arena for your commencement portrait before you sit down. Staff will direct you back to your seat. (You may not arrive back at the same seat).
• Outside food and beverages are not allowed. Concession stands will be open to purchase food and drink. No alcohol will be served during the event.

5. After the ceremony is finished, please plan to meet your family and friends at the front of the SNHU Arena -- graduates are not allowed in the guest seating area and are not allowed to come back into the arena once you have exited the building.

6. Enjoy - Relax and enjoy your moment! The ceremony will last approximately 2 - 2.5 hours. Out of courtesy to all of our graduates, we ask that you remain for the duration.

1. Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021 graduates: Click here to search for your virtual ceremony.
2. Fall 2021 Graduates only: Please check your SNHU email for an invitation to register for the virtual ceremony.
3. Order your regalia.
4. If you choose to attend commencement virtually, your ceremony will begin with a livestream of the in-person event. During the graduate recognition portion of the ceremony, your name will be read aloud and appear on screen along with a photo and/or written message that you provide.
5. You will receive instructions from StageClip approximately one week after registering for uploading your photo, video clip, and 150-word written message. The video will not be part of the livestream but will be included in your personalized digital clip to share with family and friends via social media or email. If you need assistance with audio or visual accessibility components to upload your content to StageClip, contact us at commencement@snhu.edu.
6. Deadline to personalize your slide is Oct. 31, 2021, at 11:59 pm EST.
7. A direct link to your ceremony will be emailed two days prior to the event. You can share this link with family and friends.
8. You do not need to watch the ceremony live. After the live ceremony is completed, the recording will be available to view at your own pace.

Graduates who need accommodations to participate must complete this form by October 8, 2021 for the ceremony on Saturday, October 16, 2021 and by October 29, 2021 for the ceremonies on November 5-7 to receive assistance from our Accessibility Team.

Guests of graduates cannot pre-register for accommodations but can review accessibility information on the Guests page to prepare for their visit.

Participation Eligibility

To be considered for eligibility to participate in a Commencement ceremony, you must submit your Petition for Conferral before October 1 for the fall ceremony or before March 1 for the spring ceremony.

Students who have an anticipated conferral degree date between January 1 and May 31 can participate in a spring Commencement ceremony. Students who have an anticipated conferral degree date between June 1 and Dec. 31 can participate in a fall Commencement ceremony. The Spring/Fall policy for participation eligibility is in the catalog for reference.

Honors Policy

Southern New Hampshire university awards Latin Honors (cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude) to bachelor degree learners who have met GPA requirements and completed a minimum of half of their program of study at SNHU (60 credits).

To be recognized with Ceremonial Honors, the student must meet the following criteria:

To graduate with Latin Honors, the student's must meet the following criteria:

To view the full policy, visit our Knowledge Base page.

Graduates Etiquette for In-Person Ceremonies

• The Commencement ceremonies last approximately 2 - 2.5 hours each. Please plan to stay for the entire ceremony. Leaving the ceremony early is disrespectful to other graduates and their families.
• Graduates are required to wear the SNHU-issued cap, gown, hood and tassel. Graduates may not alter their gowns. Graduates should not add items to the prescribed academic costume. You are permitted to decorate your cap but please refrain from including anything that could be considered offensive or derogatory.
• Graduates should wear appropriate clothing underneath their academic regalia, this includes proper footwear. It is recommended you wear shoes that allow you to stand for periods of time and walk without tripping.
• Cell phones should be placed on “vibrate” or silent mode during the ceremony.
• Graduates will not be allowed to carry small children, pets or personal items across the stage.
• Please leave valuables with family members or guests during the ceremony. There will be no secure location for your belongings.
• Listen to the instructions from the marshals and the commencement team. This helps keep the ceremony running on time.
• SNHU Arena: Graduates are not allowed in the guest seating area, and must remain on the floor level of the SNHU Arena. Once a graduate leaves the SNHU Arena they are unable to re-enter the Arena. Please plan to meet your guests in the front of the SNHU Arena.
• Delta Dental Stadium: We ask that all graduates remain on the field until the ceremony ends. Once a graduate leaves the field they are unable to re-enter. Graduates will be asked to leave the field at the end of the ceremony to join their guests before the fireworks show.
• In accordance with policy, beach balls, fog horns, balloons and other items that might disrupt the ceremony (or others’ ability to view or hear the ceremony) are not allowed. Security reserves the right to confiscate these items.
• Large bags/backpacks, alcohol, and weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited.

Graduates not attending

You must still file a petition to receive your diploma. Make sure you still register as not attending so that you can order your commencement items, including your cap, gown and diploma cover.

Commencement Photos

Graduates will receive a digital proof of the photos taken within a few weeks following the ceremony. Questions may be emailed to service@gradimages.com. After the ceremony orders may be placed online at GradImages or by calling 800.261.2576.

Commencement Memorabilia and Gifts

For other items such as diploma frames and apparel, visit SNHU's Official Bookstore.