Winter 2027 Commencement

Graduation
Graduation entails the completion and fulfillment of all requisite degree or program criteria by the culmination of the last academic term; encompassing grades, examinations, and defenses. Graduation is the conferral of degrees and program completion certificates, which takes place three times during the academic year (in January, May, and August) and results in the issuance of a diploma or certificate of accomplishment. 

IMPORTANT: It is imperative for all students to formally notify the Office of the Registrar regarding their intention to fulfill the degree and program requirements by submitting an application for graduation by the appropriate deadline:

• August 2026 Graduation Application Deadline: August 14, 2026
• January 2027 Graduation Application Deadline: November 2, 2026

It is obligatory for all undergraduate and graduate degree-seeking candidates to inform the Office of the Registrar of their intent to graduate by adhering to the stipulated deadline and remitting a one-time non-refundable University fee, regardless of their intention to attend Commencement.

Commencement
Commencement exercises are formal occasions for undergraduate and graduate degree candidates, signifying the culmination of an academic journey and acknowledging the achievements of graduates. These ceremonies provide an opportunity for graduates, along with their family, friends, and the Montclair State University community to celebrate their accomplishments. Montclair State University will host Winter and Spring Commencement exercises for degree graduates of the university.

Commencement Eligibility
The Office of the Registrar will furnish a list of eligible undergraduate and graduate degree candidates who are on track to successfully fulfill degree requirements.

In order to register for the Commencement exercises and receive pertinent communications, degree candidates must have previously applied for graduation through the Office of the Registrar by the appropriate application deadline. NOTE: Only August 2026, December 2026 and January 2027 candidates who have or will have completed undergraduate or graduate degree requirements by the end of the Winter 2027 term will be eligible to participate in the Winter Commencement. Graduates are not eligible to attend the Spring 2027 Commencement.

Graduation and Commencement University Policy

Winter 2027 Commencement
Only August 2026, December 2026 and January 2027 candidates who have or will have completed all undergraduate or graduate degree requirements by the end of the Winter 2027 term will be eligible to participate in the Winter Commencement exercises.

Spring 2027 Commencement
Only May 2027 candidates who will have completed undergraduate or graduate degree requirements by the end of the Spring 2027 term will be eligible to participate in the Spring Commencement exercises.

Doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degree candidates will celebrate their achievements together. There will not be a separate Graduate Commencement.

Student names will be read and students will walk across the stage at the Commencement. More information about the ceremonies is posted in the Ceremony Details for Graduating Students section on this website.

Montclair State University adopted a Preferred/Used Name Policy. As part of this policy, students are eligible to have their preferred first name printed in Commencement programs and announced during Commencement Exercises as appropriate. This policy pertains only to your first name, and no requests about middle names or last names are considered. You must use the same first name for both the Commencement printed programs and Commencement exercises.

Students wishing to designate a preferred name (already indicated in Nest) displayed at Commencement, in the program, and in related announcements must complete the Preferred Name Display form by Friday, November 6, 2026 for all graduates participating in Winter 2027 Commencement (August 2026, December 2026, and January 2027 graduates only.)

IMPORTANT: If you do not submit the form by the November 6 deadline, your legal/diploma name (first, middle, last, suffix) will be printed in the Commencement program and announced during Commencement Exercises. Preferred name changes cannot be made after the deadline.

Please note, preferred first names will not be listed on diplomas or transcripts. The Preferred/Used Name Policy only pertains to the way your name is announced and printed in Commencement materials. Legal names will be printed on diplomas and transcripts.

If you have any questions, please email names@montclair.edu.

Preferred Name Display Form

The Commencement ceremony will be approximately 3 hours. All students are expected to remain for the duration of the ceremony.  More information about the ceremonies is posted in the Ceremony Details for Graduating Students section on this website.

The Commencement Registration section on this website will provide step by step directions on how to register for the Commencement.

Please make sure you are entering your Montclair email using the @montclair.edu format. Entering @mail.montclair.edu will not be accepted by the system.

If you receive a message stating you are not in the Tassel registration system, it means the Commencement Team has not received your name from The Office of the Registrar. The Office of the Registrar recommends you review your graduation status on your degree audit via Degree Works prior to contacting them at registrar@montclair.edu.

Diplomas and University Certificates will be mailed directly from the diploma company to those students who have no outstanding financial obligations approximately 6-8 weeks after your conferment date. Covers for diplomas will be given out at Commencement. You may track your Diploma/University Certificate order at DiploMatic approximately six-eight weeks after your conferment date. Students can also order an official eDiploma at DiploMatic for a one-time charge of $3.50 once you receive notification from the diploma company that the original diploma has shipped. Your Montclair State University eDiploma is a signed and certified PDF version of your diploma which can be used for easy diploma verification purposes.

Learn More

The SGA no longer distributes yearbooks. Contact the SGA at secretary@sgamsu.org or 973-655-4202 with any questions.

Class rings may be purchased through Balfour at balfour.com/montclair.

A one-time non-refundable $95.00 University fee will be assessed to degree candidates for administrative costs related to your diploma. There is no fee assessed to attend Commencement.

Diploma covers will be distributed at Commencement. Gold honors tassels MUST be picked up during the Graduation Fairs:

• Bloomfield Campus (Bloomfield graduates only): Thursday, December 3 from 12:00 - 6:00 p.m. in Deacon's Den, Talbott Hall
• Montclair Campus (Montclair or Bloomfield graduates): Tuesday, December 8 from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the Student Center Ballrooms

The SGA coordinates with Lors Photography to send communications out to all eligible seniors regarding senior portraits. If you did not receive an email, you can get in touch with the SGA at secretary@sgamsu.org or 973-655-4202.