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 2025, January 2026, May 2026, or August 2026 are eligible to participate in the May 2026 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 date for the 2026 ceremony has not yet been announced. 

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. The form will be published closer to the event.    

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. The form will be published closer to the event.  

You must fill out the ticket request form to request up to four (4) guest tickets. The form will be published closer to the event.   

Each master’s candidate participating in the Commencement and Hooding Ceremony may request up to four (4) guest tickets via the ticket request form. The form will be published closer to the event.  

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.

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.

Information about purchasing regalia will be posted later in the semester.

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.

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.

No. Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed.

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.

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.