Commencement Season FAQs - Advanced Degree Students

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Get Your Questions Answered

Here are the answers to a few common questions from graduate students as they make their way toward commencement. If your question is not addressed here, eligibility questions can be directed to the Registrar's Office, and questions about the ceremony can be directed to the Commencement Office.

Email Registrar's Office Email Commencement Office

Frequently Asked Questions

Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 5:30 pm in The Murray Center on the Rhode Island College Campus. Doors will open at 4 pm.

You can still purchase your regalia for the ceremony at RIC's Official Bookstore, beginning April 3.

Bookstore Hours

  • Monday–Friday: 9 am–4 pm

Graduates were able to obtain up to 6 tickets at Grad Fest. 

At this time, we are not able to offer additional tickets to the Advanced Degree Ceremony on May 15th.  

Please be there no later than 4:15 pm. Enter in the Lower Level of the building. Signs will be posted to direct you to the correct location. The procession will begin promptly at 5:30 pm.

All graduates are required to stay for the length of the ceremony. We expect the ceremony to last approximately 2 hours. With a start time of 5:30 pm, you can plan your post celebrations confidently any time after 7:30 pm. There will be a reception for family and friends to follow on the Quad. Please allow time for traffic delays leaving the campus. 

Parking is available in several lots on campus. Signs will be posted for graduate and guest parking. Parking Lots H, I and J are the closest to the lower entrance of the Murray Center, where all graduates are asked to enter.

Please contact the Commencement Office or the Center for Disability Access for further information on registering guests. 

Only those attending the Commencement ceremony will receive tickets. Acceptance of tickets indicates you are registering to attend the ceremony.

Please check with the Registrar's Office or contact your academic advisor for your eligibility status.

Commencement is an official convocation and ceremony of the college. Regalia (cap and gown) is required for participation.

  • Diploma size for all masters degree candidates is 8" x 10".
  • DNP and Ph.D. candidates will receive a diploma that is 11" x 14".

Diplomas will be mailed approximately 6–8 weeks after the graduation date.

Diplomas are mailed from the vendor 6–8 weeks after the ceremony. The diplomas are not mailed directly from the Registrar's Office. 

Advanced Degree candidates do not receive or wear academic honor cords. Your advanced degree regalia signifies academic excellence. To attain a masters degree or higher, one must have achieved the academic GPA which denotes such excellence. 

No. For safety and security for all our guests, only the graduate will be allowed and cleared to cross the stage.

Cap and Gown

You may purchase your regalia (cap and gown) at the RIC Official Bookstore beginning April 3. 

Bookstore Hours

  • Monday–Friday: 9 am–4 pm
Rhode Island College entrance

Contact Us

Commencement Office

The Commencement Office works to ensure that our graduates, their families, and our campus community enjoys a memorable ceremony and celebration that is student-centered and family oriented.