FAQ: Master's Ceremony

Graduation is the completion of your studies and the earning of a diploma.

Commencement is the ceremony and the celebration! Commencement exercises are ceremonial and symbolic; participation in this event should not be confused with actual graduation from the college.

You do not officially graduate until you have successfully completed all degree requirements as outlined by your major and submitted your graduation application. Once you have met these requirements, your diploma will be mailed to you.

Yes. All students must apply for graduation by March 31, 2025, to be eligible to attend the Commencement and Hooding Ceremony. Any questions regarding your graduation application and/or diploma should be addressed to the Office of the Registrar.

Yes. Students who graduate in December 2024, January 2025, May 2025, or August 2025 are eligible to participate in the May 2025 commencement ceremonies.

It will take place in the Morris W. and Fannie B. Haft Theater, which is located in the Feldman Center on the FIT campus on West 27th Street in Manhattan.

The ceremony is on Tuesday, May 20, at 6 pm. Students should arrive at 5 pm; guests can arrive at 5:15.

The ceremony is approximately 60 minutes long, followed by a celebration reception.

Yes! All master’s candidates attending the Commencement and Hooding Ceremony will walk across the stage to be hooded by their department chair. They will also receive a folder for their diploma. Diplomas will be mailed to students.

Commencement events will take place rain or shine. This event is indoors, so we do not anticipate disruptions due to weather.

Yes. Master’s candidates who have applied for graduation by March 31 need to reserve a ticket for themselves as well as their guests by filling out the ticket request form; however, the deadline to request tickets was March 31 and the form is now closed.    

If you encounter a problem with your application for graduation, please contact SGScommencement@fitnyc.edu. 

No, you must fill out the Request for Tickets Form; however, the deadline to request tickets was March 31 and the form is now closed.  

You must fill out the ticket request form to request up to four (4) guest tickets; however, the deadline to request tickets was March 31 and the form is now closed.   

Each master’s candidate participating in the Commencement and Hooding Ceremony may request up to four (4) guest tickets via the ticket request form;  however, the deadline to request tickets was March 31 and the form is now closed. 

Students who are interested in an additional guest ticket above the four alloted on the ticket request form may choose to be added to a waitlist for one (1) additional guest ticket; the option to join the waitlist is provided on the form. The ticket request form will not accept requests for additional tickets after it is closed. Note: The deadline to request tickets was March 31 and the ticket request form is now closed.

No. Read FIT’s Statement on Sale and Misuse of Commencement Tickets below.

FIT prohibits the sale or purchase of commencement tickets and the posting of advertisements offering tickets for sale or requesting tickets for purchase. FIT also prohibits the duplication of tickets as well as the production and use of counterfeit tickets.

Any student who the college has reason to believe is selling tickets, has purchased tickets, has posted an advertisement offering to buy or sell tickets, or who is found to have produced or attempted to use a duplicated or counterfeit ticket will be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct. Penalties may include denial of permission to participate in commencement. Any guest found to be using such tickets will be refused admission to the ceremony.

Tickets will be emailed to your FIT email address from See Tickets one week prior to your ceremony.

If a student is granted an additional guest ticket, a notification email will be sent by mid- to late April. 

Note: Additional tickets are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis after all initial requests for tickets have been honored.

Yes. All guests 2 years and older require a ticket for entry.

Academic regalia (cap, gown, and hood) is required attire for master’s candidates participating in the Commencement and Hooding Ceremony.

All students must order their regalia directly from Herff Jones. You may choose to have it sent to the FIT Campus Store for pickup during cap and gown pickup days in May or, for an extra charge, you may have it mailed directly to your home.

Regalia can be picked up at the FIT Campus Store on the following dates:  

For those who ordered and pre-paid for regalia online only: Begins May 5

For those making in-store purchases: Begins May 7

FIT Campus Store hours are Monday–Friday, 11 am–6 pm.

Anyone still needing to purchase regalia may stop by the FIT Campus Store during general pickup to inquire about availability. 

The FIT Campus Store entrance is located on the Breezeway between the Dubinsky Student Center and the Business and Liberal Arts Center.

School of Graduate Studies regalia includes a black master’s degree robe, a mortarboard cap, tassel, and a master’s degree hood in the color representing your specific area of study.

If you have FIT regalia from a previous School of Graduate Studies Commencement and Hooding Ceremony that is in good condition, you may reuse it! Keep in mind, FIT undergraduate regalia is bright blue and cannot be used in the master’s degree ceremony.

Stop by the FIT Campus Store beginning May 7 to purchase a tassel or anything else you may need for your regalia.  

• Traditionally, the gown is worn closed. It should sit comfortably on your shoulders, and it should fall below your knees, but not so low that it is a tripping hazard.
• Place the cap so that the front point is aligned with the center of your forehead. The top of the mortarboard should be parallel to the ground. You may need hair clips to secure the cap to your head.
• Since you all have previously received your bachelor's degrees, wear your tassels on the left side of your mortarboard.  
• Carry your master's hood with you. When it is your turn to cross the stage, hand it to your department chair and they will place it over your shoulders.

Please follow campus signage when you arrive at FIT, which is located at 227 West 27th Street in New York City. Directions to FIT.

Students and guests should arrive to the Haft Theater at 5 pm. The ceremony will begin promptly at 6 pm.

Accommodation requests for graduates and their guests may be directed to the Office of Disability Support Services (FIT-ABLE). Attendees with special needs may submit their request via the Request for Accommodations at Commencement form. All requests must be made in advance.

Closed captioning of the ceremonies can be accessed by selecting the captioning option on the commencement livestream—which will be available at fitnyc.edu/commencement and on Vimeo—on your own device.

Submit a request via the Request for Accommodations at Commencement form in advance to the Office of Disability Support Services (FIT-ABLE) for your guest. The office can provide assistance such as wheelchair assistance, FM systems, and other accommodations.

No. Guest seating is available in the Haft Theater on a first-come, first-seated basis; graduating students will sit with their cohort.

There is no rehearsal for the Commencement and Hooding Ceremony. 

We recommend public transportation. FIT is located near the 1, 2, 3, A, B, C, and D subway lines and Penn Station. Learn more about transportation options on the Getting to FIT page.

Parking is not available on the FIT campus. 

No. Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed.

We recommmend you bring as little as possible. There is nowhere to store large bags or valuables. 

Food and beverages are not permitted in the Haft Theater.

Smoking and vaping of any kind are prohibited on FIT’s campus and in all buildings.

No, your diploma will be mailed to you. More information can be found through the Office of the Registrar.

Island Photography, FIT's official photo vendor, will offer on-campus portait photo appointments May 5-7 in the Dubinsky Student Center, Room A734. You must schedule an appointment in advance. 

Schedule a Commencement Portrait

The sitting fee is $10; the fee will be subtracted from any photo package you end up purchasing from Island. At the sitting, students receive 10 poses from the waist up. Business dress is recommended; a cap and gown will be available for poses as well.

Yes! It will be streamed live on the commencement website, fitnyc.edu/commencement, and on Vimeo. Please share the link with friends and family who are not able to join us in person. The video from the ceremony will also be available on demand after it is completed.

You can visit our Hotels with Preferred Rates page page for a list of hotels near campus if overnight accommodations are needed for friends or family who plan to celebrate your graduation with you.