Ceremony Details for Graduating Students

To graduate, students must submit an application for graduation via NEST, successfully complete all undergraduate or graduate program requirements by the end of the graduation term/semester, and the degree must be conferred by the Office of the Registrar on the designated conferment date.

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.

If you have questions concerning academic issues relative to your degree, graduate application or teacher certification email the Office of the Registrar at registrar@montclair.edu.

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You must meet all financial obligations prior to receiving your diploma or final transcripts. Financial obligations include, but are not limited to tuition, room, board, course fees, parking fines, library fines, residence hall fines and any special fees or fines charged to your account.

Please review your account summary via NEST for payment methods. For information concerning debt associated with:

• Parking: Please contact Parking Services (located in the Red Hawk Deck) at 973-655-7580 or see the Parking Services website.
• University Libraries: Please call  973-655-4288.
• Room and Board: Please contact Residence Life at 973-655-5188.

For all other financial obligations contact Red Hawk Central at 973-655-7600 for support.

If you received federal loans, you will need to make arrangements for repayment. Please visit the Student Loan Exit Counseling and Repayment web page.

Earning a bachelor’s degree with honors is a tremendous accomplishment! Students who earn this distinction may wear a gold tassel on their cap at Commencement.

Honors Eligibility

Undergraduate students who have completed a minimum of 45 undergraduate credits taken at Montclair by the end of the semester prior to their commencement will be recognized for graduation honors. (Prior to May 2026, a minimum of 51 credits was required).

For recognition of Winter 2027 candidates at Commencement, the honors designation will be based upon the student’s cumulative grade point average as of the Summer 2026 term.

Grades of “A” through “D-” (passing grades that contribute to the GPA) must be earned for a minimum of 45 credits.

Exception: School of Nursing students who have completed a minimum of 32 undergraduate credits at Montclair by the end of the semester prior to their commencement are recognized for graduation honors.

The following standards will be applied to graduates:

• Cumulative GPA of 3.700 – 3.799 cum laude
• Cumulative GPA of 3.800 – 3.899 magna cum laude
• Cumulative GPA of 3.900 – 4.000 summa cum laude

Please note that this calculation is for Commencement program recognition only, and will not determine official honors. The actual awarding of honors will be based on academic statistics earned at the conclusion of the Fall 2026/Winter 2027 semester when the degree is conferred.

Honors Tassel

Undergraduate honors tassels must be picked up at the Graduation Fairs. See Graduation Fair and Commencement Item Pickup below for more information.

• 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, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. in the Student Center Ballrooms

Graduate students do not graduate with honors, such as cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude.

The Graduate Center is host to the Alpha Kappa Chapter of Alpha Epsilon Lambda Honor Society for graduate students.

Students who meet minimum requirements are invited to apply for membership into the Alpha Epsilon Lambda Honor Society.

The invitation requires a completed application, resume, and a membership fee.

Students may be eligible for Alpha Epsilon Lambda (AEL) if they meet the following criteria:

• Are actively matriculated in a graduate degree program.
• Have successfully completed 18 graduate credits.
• Have achieved academic standing in the top 20th percentile of their college or school.
• Have demonstrated leadership through on-campus or off-campus involvement while a graduate student.

Graduate Students who were inducted into AEL may wear their honor cord and pin to Commencement.

For more information, please visit the AEL website or email ael@montclair.edu for more information.

The Post-Graduation Survey is a required part of your graduation process. It is designed to collect information about your experience while studying at Montclair as well as your post-graduation plans. Your prompt response will greatly assist in completing all graduation formalities.

Important: The survey is now open and can be completed on Handshake.

Handshake

Eligible Survey Respondents: August 2026 and January 2027 grads

Learn more about the Post-Graduation Survey.

• Upon entry, event staff will direct graduates to check-in and line-up areas. Guests and children are not permitted in the graduate line-up or seating areas.
• The ceremony will take approximately 3 hours.
• If graduates and guests wish to take pictures outside Prudential Center, we strongly suggest arriving early to take photos before the ceremony.
• Set up a meeting location: before the ceremony begins, plan a spot where you and your guests will meet after the ceremony.
   

Commencement is a dignified ceremony marking a special time of achievement and accomplishment. The ceremony is marked by dignity and seriousness as the conferring of degrees signifies long, hard work on the part of everyone involved including students, faculty members, administrators, family members and friends. Excitement, joy and enthusiasm are expected and welcome!

However, we ask that all of our graduates conduct themselves in an appropriate manner that demonstrates respect toward their fellow graduates, guests, and the speakers on stage. We ask for your commitment to help ensure the ceremonies are a meaningful experience for all by courteously bearing in mind the rights and feelings of all the participants and guests.
 

• The University expects all graduates to remain in the arena until all degrees have been conferred and the platform party has departed. We ask that you be respectful to all graduates attending Commencement. Event staff will cue you to begin the recessional from the arena.
• Arrive at the designated graduate arrival time.
• Follow all instructions by event staff. They are here to assist you and ensure the ceremony is a meaningful experience.
• Remain at your seat for the entire ceremony unless directed by event staff. Movement on the floor where graduates are seated is distracting to guests and your fellow graduates, and it is disrespectful to the speakers on stage.
• Silence all electronic devices during the ceremony as a courtesy to those around you.
• Do not bring prohibited items (i.e. air horns, food, alcoholic beverages, noisemakers, balloons, signs, flags beach balls). For a full list of prohibited items, visit Prudential Center Arena Policy.

IMPORTANT TRAVEL ADVISORY: We anticipate heavier-than-normal traffic in and around the Prudential Center. Plan to allow ample time for traffic, parking, and security screening at the venue.

Prudential Center
25 Lafayette Street
Newark, NJ 07102

We strongly suggest that guests use public transportation, rideshare services, or carpool with family and friends. Highways surrounding the arena include 280, 78, NJ Turnpike, 1 & 9, 21, 22, Garden State Parkway, 80, and NJ 3. For detailed driving directions visit Prudential Center Directions.

Public Transportation

Prudential Center is located in downtown Newark, just two blocks from Newark Penn Station, and is also connected to the Newark Broad Street Station by frequent, convenient bus and light-rail service. Please visit Prudential Center Public Transportation for more information to plan your trip.

Parking

Parking will be available at lots and garages surrounding Prudential Center. Costs are determined by each parking facility. Please visit Prudential Center Parking for a detailed map and directions to these locations.