Commencement Guide
Overview
Here's everything you need for Saint Joseph's University's 2024 Commencement — from Commencement programs to expectations to parking.
Master’s: 5/16 at 9 a.m.
The Master’s Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 16, at 9 a.m. in Hagan Arena. It will include the following degrees: MS, MA, MBA, EMBA, MHA, MSPAS and MOT.
Schedule:
- 7:30 a.m. Graduate check-in begins in the Mandeville parking lot
- 7:45 a.m. Guest seating opens in Hagan Arena
- 8:40 a.m. Graduates will begin to process to Hagan
- 9 a.m. Ceremony begins
The Commencement ceremony is expected to last no longer than two hours
Doctoral: 5/16 at 1 p.m.
The Doctoral Ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 16, at 1 p.m. in Hagan Arena. It will include the following degrees: PhD, EdD, PharmD, DPT and DrOT.
Schedule:
- 11:30 a.m. Graduate check-in begins in the Mandeville parking lot
- 11:45 a.m. Guest seating opens in Hagan Arena
- 12:40 p.m. Graduates will begin to process to Hagan
- 1 p.m. Ceremony begins
The Commencement ceremony is expected to last no longer than two hours
HSB: 5/17 at 1 p.m.
The Erivan K. Haub School of Business Undergraduate Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 17, at 1 p.m. in Hagan Arena. It will include undergraduate students with a primary major in the Haub School of Business.
Schedule:
- 11:30 a.m. Graduate check-in begins in the Mandeville parking lot
- 11:45 a.m. Guest seating opens in Hagan Arena
- 12:40 p.m. Graduates will begin to process to Hagan. All guests must be seated by this time. Any guests arriving after 12:45 p.m. will be asked to wait until the processional is complete and graduates are seated.
- 1 p.m. Ceremony begins
The Commencement ceremony is expected to last no longer than two hours.
SHP/PCP: 5/18 at 9 a.m.
The School of Health Professions and Philadelphia College of Pharmacy Undergraduate Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 18, at 9 a.m. in Hagan Arena. It will include undergraduate students with a primary major in the School of Health Professions and Philadelphia College of Pharmacy.
Schedule:
- 7:30 a.m. Graduate check-in begins in the Mandeville parking lot
- 7:45 a.m. Guest seating opens in Hagan Arena
- 8:40 a.m. Graduates will begin to process to Hagan. All guests must be seated by this time. Any guests arriving after 8:45 a.m. will be asked to wait until the processional is complete and graduates are seated.
- 9 a.m. Ceremony begins
The Commencement ceremony is expected to last no longer than two hours
CAS/SEHD: 5/18 at 1 p.m.
The College of Arts and Sciences and School of Education and Human Development Undergraduate Ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 18, at 1 p.m. in Hagan Arena. It will include undergraduate students with a primary major in the College of Arts and Sciences or the School of Education and Human Development.
Schedule:
- 11:30 a.m. Graduate check-in begins in the Mandeville parking lot
- 11:45 a.m. Guest seating opens in Hagan Arena
- 12:40 p.m. Graduates will begin to process to Hagan. All guests must be seated by this time. Any guests arriving after 12:45 p.m. will be asked to wait until the processional is complete and graduates are seated.
- 1 p.m. Ceremony begins
The Commencement ceremony is expected to last no longer than two hours
Graduate Expectations
While the University would like your Commencement events and activities to be fun and memorable, we also would like them to be safe and enjoyable for all in attendance. We encourage you to celebrate responsibly and with consideration to your fellow classmates and their families. Please review the following expectations and know that violations will be addressed:
- Keep track of your Graduate Name Card. Each graduate will receive a Graduate Name Card when they check in at the Mandeville parking lot with their name on it. It will be handed to the announcer as you cross the stage. Do not fold or tear your card, as failure to produce a legible Graduate Name Card will result in your name not being announced.
- No alcoholic beverages are permitted on site, and students who appear to be intoxicated and/or unable to stand on their own will be pulled from the line to be evaluated by EMTs on site.
- Large bags should not be brought into the venue (unless it is needed for a medical reason).
- Coolers, glass beverage containers, weapons of any kind, are not permitted. This includes champagne bottles or the like during the procession line up.
- No whistles, horns, inflatables or large signs. These will all be confiscated.
- We ask that students and guests refrain from loud cheering that could result in another student and their guests missing an important moment.
- All graduates must remain for the entire ceremony. Do not leave after you are recognized.
- Graduates and guests are asked to leave campus immediately following the ceremony. Parking is limited and additional ceremonies are being held throughout the week/weekend
Guests Expectations
We prohibit bringing in any of, but not limited to, the following items:
- Noisemakers
- Laser pointers
- Blow horns
- Balloons
- Large signs
- Any other distracting noise-making device that could interfere with the integrity of the event.
Additionally, large bags should not be brought into the venue (unless it is a diaper bag or needed for a medical reason). Coolers, glass beverage containers, weapons of any kind, large signs that could block the view of others, etc., should be left in the guests' car.
Those who try to bring these items in will be asked to return them to their car. Graduates have all worked hard to achieve this accomplishment, and we want to make sure that every student's guests are able to see their graduate walk across the stage and hear their name as it is called.
Lastly, we ask that guests and graduates refrain from standing on chairs or rushing the stage area to try to get a picture; we have hired professional photographers for that purpose.
Parking & Accessibility
The following parking lots are open for guest parking:
- Hawks’ Landing Garage
- Duperreault Hall Lot
- Moore/Townhouse Lot
- Ashwood Apartments Lot
- Merion Gardens Lot
- McShain Hall Lot
- St. Mary’s Hall Lot
- Claver Hall Lot
- Arrupe Hall Lot
- Behind Bronstein
- St. Albert Hall Lot
- Mandeville Hall Lot (limited spaces available/first-come, first-served basis)
Driving and Detours
If you are planning to drive to campus for the ceremonies, please allow adequate time for parking. For the convenience of those in attendance, the University is working with PennDOT and the contractor of Post Crossing (SJU’s Pedestrian Underpass Project that is currently under construction) to reopen all travel lanes on City Avenue during the week of Commencement. The Cardinal Avenue detour from City Avenue will remain in effect and access will need to occur from Wynnefield Avenue or Overbrook Avenue.
Additionally, shuttles will run from Merion Gardens to Mandeville Hall throughout the day.
Handicapped Accessibility
Saint Joseph’s is committed to ensuring that all members of the community are able to celebrate with us at this special time of year. If you or your guests need handicapped seating, please contact Patricia Gregg at 610-660-1620. Handicapped parking is located in the Mandeville Hall lot, and limited availability is on a first-come, first-served basis. Golf carts will be on-site to transport those in need of assistance to/from the Hagan Arena circle area.