This is it. The moment you stand up and celebrate your success. We’re here to help with everything you need for the big day — from schedules and checklists to guest and faculty info and FAQs. Read on to learn more.
Graduate FAQs
Regalia and Attire
Regalia:
- Doctoral: Gowns are royal blue with two black panels in front, each featuring the SNHU seal embroidered in gold stitching. They have full, bell-shaped sleeves, each with three velvet chevrons and gold metallic cording. 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.
Hood Colors:
The border of the Bachelor or Master hood is trimmed with colors indicative of the earned degree and lined with royal blue and yellow gold satin, the official University colors of SNHU. The shield-style Associate hood displays the University colors on the lining.
- White: Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts
- Golden Yellow: Bachelor of Science, Master of Science
- Drab: Master of Business Administration
- Light Blue: Master of Education
- Brown: Master of Fine Arts
- Salmon Pink: Master of Public Health
- Royal Blue/White: Associate in Arts
- Royal Blue/Yellow: Associate in Science
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 Ceremonial or Latin honors policy can be found in the academic catalog.
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+, Serape or Kente stoles during the regalia ordering process. Graduates are encouraged to wear these stoles on Commencement day.
Pre-Commencement Checklist
- Submit your Petition to Graduate 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.
- The spring/fall ceremony participation policy for eligible graduates is in the catalog for reference.
- 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.
- Order your regalia.
- Plan your Commencement Weekend. Tell your guests to visit our Commencement page for important information.
- Send announcements and order your class ring at the Jostens Online Store.
- #SNHUCelebrate - Share your good news and follow Commencement Weekend happenings on social media: SNHU Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
- Confirm your alumni profile. Update your information and get involved with the Office of Alumni Engagement.
- Accessibility Services - If you need accessibility support, please see the Accessibility Support tab below for more information.
Commencement-Day Checklist
1. Graduates, you will receive a link to your guest tickets in your registration confirmation email. 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 optional while indoors. The upper level of the arena will accommodate guests who prefer extra space to socially distance.
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 front of the arena 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.
7. The event will be livestreamed on the Commencement website and recorded for those unable to attend.
Virtual Ceremony Checklist
- Please check your SNHU email for an invitation to register for the virtual ceremony. To have your name announced in the virtual ceremony, you must register by the deadline specified in the invitation.
- Order your regalia.
- You’ll receive instructions after registering that involve two additional steps: 1. Upload your photo and 150-character written message, 2. Verify your content. If you need assistance with audio or visual accessibility components, contact us at commencement@snhu.edu.
- After filling out the personalization form, you’ll receive an email from snhu@virtualgrads.com to verify your content. Click the link provided to finalize your submission. Please ensure your content is appropriate and not offensive to others.
- You’ll receive a final notification once we have reviewed and approved your content.
- The deadline to personalize your slide is specified in your registration confirmation email. If your personalized information is not received by the production deadline, your slide will still read your name and conferred degree.
- A direct YouTube link to share with family and friends will be emailed to your SNHU email several days prior to the event. This email will include specific details on creating the best viewing experience on a mobile device, tablet, computer or television.
- Virtual Commencement will be presented in immersive, 360-degree virtual reality format via a YouTube link. You can even experience the event with a virtual reality headset via the YouTube app
- If you plan on watching the 360-degree experience on a television, please review our FAQ and preview our demo video ahead of the ceremony.
- 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.
- If you’re unable to stream the ceremony live, the recording will be available to view later.
Accessibility Support
Graduates who need accommodations to participate must complete this form at least 10 days before Commencement to pre-arrange assistance from our Accessibility Team.
Guests may inquire about accessibility with staff members at the entrance. Accessible seating is available in every section on a first-come, first-served basis.
Read the Commencement Accessibility Information document for more information on parking, seating, and visual and hearing access.
Policies and Etiquette
Participation Eligibility
To be considered for eligibility to participate in a Commencement ceremony, you must first work with your advisor to submit your Petition to Graduate, commonly known as the Petition to Graduate.
The Spring/Fall policy for participation eligibility is in the catalog for reference.
Academic Honors, Associate and Baccalaureate Degrees
The university acknowledges outstanding academic performance through Ceremonial Honors and Latin Honors. Ceremonial and Latin Honors apply only to associate and bachelor's degrees completed through non-direct assessment programs. Graduate programs are not eligible for academic honors. To be recognized with Ceremonial or Latin Honors, the student must meet the criteria specified in the academic catalog.
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.
- 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 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.
Post-Commencement
Graduates not attending
You must still file the petition to graduate to receive your diploma. Even if you don't participate in the in-person or virtual ceremonies, you're still eligible to order commencement items including your cap, gown and diploma cover at no additional cost.
Commencement Photos
Graduates will receive a digital proof of the photos taken within a few days following the ceremony. After the ceremony, orders may be placed online at ProPics. For assistance using the ProPics site, please email support@propicsusa.com or call 877-619-7997.
Commencement Memorabilia and Gifts
For other items such as diploma frames and apparel, visit SNHU's Official Bookstore.
Questions? Visit our FAQs page.