Graduates

1. Submit your Petition for Conferral before March 15.
2. Register to attend Commencement and the reception on campus.
3. Reserve your guest tickets.
4. Order your regalia.
5. Plan your Commencement Weekend. Tell your guests to visit our Commencement page for important information.
6. #SNHU2020– 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 - Graduates can make arrangements with our Accessibility Team for the ceremony through this form. Guests cannot pre-register. Please review the Commencement Accessibility Information for more information.
9. Day of Commencement - Arrive at SNHU Arena at 555 Elm Street, Manchester, NH. (Graduates please enter through the loading dock area off of Cedar Street or Auburn Street side) one hour prior to your ceremony. Bring your cap, gown, hood, and tassel but leave your personal items with guests. There is no storage provided for graduates.
10. 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.

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 when you check in with the Registrar at the Arena on the day of Commencement. You can ask them to refresh your academic record to have the most current honors status reflected when your name is read during the ceremony. If you cannot attend the ceremony, and are eligible they will be shipped to you with your regalia.

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.

Please arrive one hour before your ceremony. Guests doors open 90 minutes before the ceremony.

When you arrive at the SNHU Arena:

• Please leave your personal items (including coats and purses) with your family and friends. After the ceremony is finished, you may 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.
• Go through security. Safety is our number one concern.
• Check in at the Registrar’s table. Here, you’ll receive your name card and any eligible honors cords. Graduates may write pronunciations on their cards for our name readers.
  • Doctoral programs: Please check in at the Registrar’s table, they will direct you to the appropriate staff member to give you further instructions.
  • University Campus programs: Once you’re checked in, please line up in the loading dock area with the appropriate School. Staff will signal when the processional will begin.
  • Global Campus programs: Once you’re checked in, proceed inside of the SNHU Arena; an aisle marshal will direct you to your seat.
• Meet with staff. SNHU staff will guide you to the stage at the appropriate time to hand your name card to the name reader, and walk across the stage. A photo will be taken of you as you receive your diploma cover while shaking hands with a SNHU Senior Leader. Proceed down the center aisle to the back of the Arena for your Commencement portrait before you sit down. (You may not arrive back at the same seat).
• Find your guests. Please plan to meet your guests after the ceremony has finished at the front of the SNHU Arena.

Graduates who would like accommodations for the ceremony are asked to complete this form by May 1st to receive assistance from our Accessibility Team.

Guests of graduates cannot pre-register for accommodations. Members of our Accessibility Team will meet guests at the entrances of the Arena to assist them with seating and other requests. Please read the Commencement Accessibility Information document for more information.

Participation Eligibility

To be considered for eligibility to participate in the Spring Commencement ceremony, you must submit your Petition for Conferral prior to March 15 of that year.

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

• 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 keeps the ceremony running on time.
• 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.
• In accordance with SNHU Arena 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 in the building. SNHU Arena security reserves the right to confiscate these items.
• Large bags/backpacks, alcohol, and weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited at the SNHU Arena.

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

To order a class ring, visit the Balfour online store.
For other items such as diploma frames and apparel, visit SNHU's Official Bookstore.