Commencement FAQs

Due to the number of students who graduate each year, Adelphi’s Commencement ceremonies have grown lengthy in recent years. Our 2023 ceremony came in at around five hours.

In the interest of hosting ceremonies of a shorter duration, Adelphi’s leadership has made the decision to hold two ceremonies tailored specifically for our undergraduate and graduate degree students and their guests.

All students must participate in the appropriate ceremony for the degree they are receiving. If you have questions, email commencement@adelphi.edu.

Students who completed their degrees in December 2023 or will complete them in May 2024 or August 2024 are eligible to walk in our May 2024 ceremonies.

Each graduate may invite up to ten (10) guests to their Commencement ceremony. The Commencement office will not issue any additional tickets beyond this number. If you need extra tickets, you may ask a fellow graduate if they have extra to share. All guest tickets will be emailed to the graduate from boxoffice@nassaucoliseum.com in mid-May.

Students do not need a ticket for themselves. All graduates who register to attend commencement will be emailed a GradPass, which will admit them to the venue.

Applying to graduate is a step that must be completed with the One-Stop Student Services Center, which will confirm your completion of all degree requirements.

To attend one of Adelphi’s 2024 Commencement ceremonies, registration through MarchingOrder is also required to let us know you will be present and ensure your name is read during the ceremony.

You will receive an email in the March 2024 semester with details for logging into MarchingOrder, where you will complete the Commencement registration form and indicate your attendance at one of our ceremonies on May 21. The MarchingOrder system will be available to access your information and make changes to your submission through April 18.

Graduates receiving their undergraduate degrees should arrive at Nassau Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale, by 9:30 a.m. on May 21. The Commencement ceremony will begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. Graduate students should arrive at 3:00 p.m. for the 4:00 p.m. ceremony.

Adelphi’s Commencement ceremonies, to be held on May 21, 2024, are for graduates who have earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Doctoral Hooding, which will be held on May 20, 2024, is only for candidates who have earned their doctoral degrees.

Yes, Adelphi will livestream the Commencement ceremonies so that loved ones not in attendance can be part of this important occasion. Links to the livestream for each ceremony will be provided during the week before Commencement and posted on the Commencement website.

Accessible parking is located on both the north and south sides of the Coliseum and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. A state or local handicap parking permit or license plate is required.

Nassau Coliseum has clearly marked sections for wheelchair-accessible seating. These sections are limited to one companion per guest using a wheelchair. Please note that Adelphi University and the Coliseum do not have wheelchairs available for Commencement. Guests interested in renting a wheelchair for the ceremony are encouraged to contact a home healthcare supplier in the area. It is strongly suggested that guests with mobility limitations consider using assistive devices.

There are ADA compliant restrooms conveniently located throughout the Coliseum concourse and in the lower lobby, and the elevator to access the lower level Coliseum Expo Center for student and faculty robing, lineup and procession are located near the main entrance.

Please refer to the Nassau Coliseum website for the facility’s policies.

Graduates will be seated with their college or school. Guest seats are not assigned, and are first come, first served.

Including the student procession, the undergraduate Commencement ceremony will last approximately 2.5 hours. The graduate Commencement ceremony will be approximately 2 hours.

No, there will be no charge for parking for the 2024 Commencement ceremony. Enter the parking lot via the Earle Ovington Boulevard entrance and proceed to Lot 1. Parking staff will be on-site to assist you.

International students in valid F-1 status who are inviting guests from outside the United States to Adelphi’s Commencement should request a letter of invitation for invited guests for Visa purposes.

Complete your request through the International Services Portal using your eCampus credentials.

Yes, any international student who was unable to attend Adelphi’s Commencement ceremony in their designated graduation year due to U.S. visa restrictions may attend Commencement in a subsequent year. 

Please send an email to commencement@adelphi.edu to inquire. 

Adelphi’s yearbook, The Oracle, is free of charge to all graduating, undergraduate seniors and can be ordered online. The deadline to order your copy is May 31, 2024. For questions about the yearbook, please email engage@adelphi.edu.

We will soon share an updated Important Dates and Information page to learn more about dates and deadlines pertaining to the May 2024 Commencement.

A full listing for all senior events can be found on the Graduating Senior site. For questions about senior events, please email engage@adelphi.edu.

Please contact the University Bookstore at bookstore@adelphi.edu for more information. All orders must be placed by April 18 in order to receive them in time for the May 2024 Commencement ceremony. Students who have already placed their regalia orders can use the order lookup tool to track their orders. You will also receive an email with tracking information when your order ships.

Unfortunately, there is no option to rent or borrow Commencement attire.

Please watch the following videos to learn the proper way to wear your academic regalia:

• Bachelor’s Attire Instructions
• Master’s Attire Instructions
• Doctoral Attire Instructions

Degrees for the spring and summer semesters are conferred on May 31 and August 31. Diplomas will be mailed to the address in your student record, which is on file with the Registrar’s Office. Students typically receive their diplomas in the mail eight to 10 weeks after their degrees are posted. If you need to change your mailing address on file, please contact onestop@adelphi.edu.

• December 2023 graduates are considered Class of 2024.
• August 2024 graduates are considered Class of 2024.

Students must apply to graduate before March 31 to ensure that their names appear in the commencement listing.

In the interest of sustainability, Adelphi does not issue printed copies of the Commencement listing. The listing will be available online and is free. We will share a link on the Commencement website when it is available.

Undergraduate students must have at least fifty-six credits of graded courses (excluding P grades) taken at Adelphi to be considered for Latin Honors. Students who meet that requirement will graduate cum laude (with distinction) with a GPA between 3.3 and 3.599, magna cum laude (with high distinction) with a GPA between 3.6 and 3.849, and summa cum laude (with highest distinction) with a GPA of 3.85 or higher.

Graduate students do not receive Latin Honors.

At the time the listing is created, Latin Honors are tentative, pending the receipt of final grades. Latin Honors are finalized when spring/summer courses are graded.

Various organizations and departmental honor societies have stoles and/or cords available for their cohort. Graduates should reach out to any organizations they belonged to on campus to see if they participate. Currently, Adelphi does not provide cords or stoles for Latin Honors.

Visit our Important Dates and Information page to learn more about dates and deadlines pertaining to May 2024 Commencement.

Degrees for the spring and summer semesters are conferred on May 31 and August 31. Diplomas will be mailed to the address in your student record. Students typically receive their diplomas in the mail eight to 10 weeks after their degrees are posted.

Please reach out to commencement@adelphi.edu regarding a diploma cover.

Please email your request to onestop@adelphi.edu. Requests must be received before your conferral date and must be sent from your Adelphi Gmail account.

Your diploma will note your name, school/college, degree, graduation date, and Latin Honors (if eligible). Your major, minor, concentration, track, cluster, and/or specialization will be noted on your transcript.

If you requested the diploma name change after March 31, the change will be reflected on your diploma.

Your preferred name is appearing in the listing because you checked the box indicating that you wanted to use your preferred name when you completed your graduation application. If you would like this changed to be your diploma name, please email onestop@adelphi.edu from your Adelphi Gmail account.