Master's Ceremony Details
Apply to Graduate
If you plan on completing the requirements for your degree during the spring semester or have less than two courses remaining for summer and plan to attend commencement, you are required to apply to graduate by March 15, 2024. If you do not submit a graduation application by the deadline, your degree will not be awarded on time.
Please note, that you must apply to graduate, even if you do not plan on participating in the Commencement ceremony. Your degree will not be conferred unless you submit a graduation application. Also note, that all curriculum changes must be made prior to submitting your graduation application. Majors and minors cannot be changed after submitting a graduation application.
Instructions on how to apply to graduate can be found on the Registrar's knowledge base.
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Ceremony Details
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On May 16, graduates should arrive beginning at 7:30 a.m. The Commencement marshals will request that all graduates line up for the procession in the Mandeville parking lot near Sweeney Field beginning at 8 a.m. You will check in and pick up your Graduate Name Card when entering the parking lot. There will be lines organized alphabetically by last name to pick up your card. There will be two procession lines, one for the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education and Human Development and one for the Erivan K. Haub School of Business and School of Health Professions. Students should carefully ensure they are in the correct set of lines by college.
Faculty marshals for each school will lead the procession to the graduate seating area, beginning at approximately 8:30 a.m. Graduates should process in with their hoods draped over their left arms.
For information on guest arrival and additional information, please visit the Guest page.
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At the appointed time in the program, the appropriate dean will present the degree candidates from each school to the President, who will officially confer the degrees on the graduates.
Upon direction from the faculty marshals, graduates will approach the stage for the presentation of degrees. Graduates must have their Graduate Name Card with them at this time. Each college will be called separately based on the order of its founding (College of Arts and Sciences; Haub School of Business; School of Education and Human Development; School of Health Professions, including the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy), and each name will be read individually. Students should proceed quickly to the center of the stage, shake hands with the President as a photo is taken, receive the diploma translation, shake hands with their Dean, and exit at the opposite end of the stage. Upon exiting the stage, another photo will be taken and graduates will return to their seats.
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Following the benediction, the stage party and faculty will lead the procession to conclude the ceremony. The faculty marshals will instruct graduates to leave the seating area.
Caps and Gowns
Cap and gowns are available for purchase in the Saint Joseph’s University Bookstore or during Graduate Salute. If you are unable to purchase your regalia in person, you may do so online here. Graduates should order their regalia by May 1 to ensure it arrives in time for Commencement on May 20.
Class Rings, Announcements and Diploma Frames
Class rings, graduation announcements and diploma frames are also available for purchase in the University Bookstore. Graduates can also purchase their ring, announcements or frame online. Shipping time for class rings is approximately six to eight weeks.
Diplomas
Approximately six weeks after Commencement, you will receive your diploma and a translation through the mail. It is delivered to the address you selected when you applied to graduate. For purposes of framing, your diploma is 20 inches wide and 16 inches high.
Why is the text of my Saint Joseph’s University diploma printed in Latin?
Higher Education is steeped in tradition. Some of these traditions date from the Middle Ages and are common to many colleges and universities. University diplomas printed in Latin are one of those traditions at North American institutions founded in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The first Jesuit college, founded in Messina, Italy, in 1548 embraced the literary and rhetorical program of the Italian humanists according to patterns laid down by Cicero and Quintilian. The Jesuits focused their plan of studies on the so-called studia humanitatis, works of poetry, drama, oratory, and history. These essentially literary works were presumed not only to produce eloquence in those studying them but also to inspire noble and uplifting ideals. They would render the student a better human being, imbued especially with an ideal of service to the common good, in imitation of the great heroes of antiquity. One line from Cicero’s De officiis, especially embraced by the Jesuits, sums up this aspect of their educational ideal: “We are not born for ourselves alone,” thus: the contemporary Jesuit mantra, “Men and Women for Others.”
Throughout the formative years of Saint Joseph’s University, the curriculum was grounded in the Jesuit plan of studies, the Ratio Studiorum, which included courses in both Latin and Greek — twenty credit hours of Latin to be taken during freshman and sophomore years.
Given this training and cultural immersion, it’s understandable that Saint Joseph’s and other institutions committed to classical education would have expected proficiency in Latin from their alumni and to announce that accomplishment proudly by awarding Latin diplomas at commencement ceremonies. Saint Joseph’s is proud to uphold this tradition of providing its graduates their diploma in Latin.
Why is the date on my diploma different than my commencement date (doctoral degrees only)?
All students who graduate in a given term are awarded on the same date. The date on the graduation application, and ultimately, the date on your diploma and transcript, reflect the date in which your degree is awarded and not necessarily the date of your specific ceremony.
Which University will be on my diploma when I graduate?
All students will receive a Saint Joseph’s diploma after August 30, 2024. PA College will no longer be accredited after that date and, therefore cannot issue diplomas. As is the practice at both Universities, the college or school will also appear on the diploma.
For students graduating from PA College legacy programs over the course of the 2022-2023 Academic Year, the schedule is as follows:
Graduation Application Due | Degree Conferral | Diploma | Programs |
April 1, 2024 | May 18, 2024 | PA College | All |
August 1, 2024 | August 31, 2024 | Saint Joseph’s | All |
December 1, 2024 | January 15, 2025 | Saint Joseph’s | All |
January 2025 and after | January 2025 and after | Saint Joseph’s | All |
Visit the Lancaster Ceremony page for more information.
English Translation of Your Saint Joseph’s University Diploma
As is tradition at Jesuit institutions in the United States, graduates are presented with a large and ornate degree certificate, the text of which is printed in Latin. Below is an English translation of the text.
The Administrators of Saint Joseph's University and the Society of Jesus in Philadelphia
For the Greater Glory of God
To all who view these present letters, greetings in the Lord
By these letters we, given charge of this function by the highest authority of the State testify
that (Name) duly approved,
has been advanced to the Baccalaureate/Master of (Arts) OR (Sciences) OR (Business Administration), and has been presented by us with all the rights and
privileges attached to that degree. And that all might know, we have given these present letters, secured by our corporate seal and by the signature of the President of this University in our academic building in Philadelphia.
NOTE : Each graduate receives an English translation of their diploma during the Commencement ceremony and with their diplomas.
Photography
Ceremony photography will be provided by Melissa Kelly Photography. Please visit the gallery website or text SJU2024 to 90738 to receive graduation photo communications via text. You can also subscribe to email updates here. Photos will be available to view and purchase on or before May 30. For more information, please email them.
During Graduate Salute, you have the opportunity for a photo session of yourself in your cap and gown with Melissa Kelly Photography, with photos to be purchased.