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.

The ceremony is on Tuesday, May 21, at 6 pm. Students should arrive at 5 pm; guests can arrive at 5:15.

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 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. All students must apply for graduation by March 31, 2024, 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 2023, January 2024, May 2024, or August 2024 are eligible to participate in the May 2024 commencement ceremonies.

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

No, you must fill out the Request for Tickets form on Eventbrite. (You must use your FIT email address to reserve your tickets.) You will receive your tickets via email from Eventbrite immediately following completion of the form. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please reach out to [email protected] ASAP.

Yes. Master’s candidates who have applied for graduation by April 15 need to reserve a ticket for themselves as well as their guests. (Note: You must use your FIT email address to reserve your tickets.) If you encounter a problem with your application for graduation, please contact [email protected].

Each master’s candidate participating in the Commencement and Hooding Ceremony may request up to four (4) guest tickets by April 15 via the Request for Tickets form. 

Each master’s candidate participating in commencement may request up to four (4) guest tickets by April 15 via the Request for Ticket form. (Note: You must use your FIT email address to reserve your tickets.)

If you would like an additional guest ticket, please email [email protected]. Additional tickets will be distributed based on availability on a first-come, first-served basis and are not guaranteed.

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.

You will receive your tickets from Eventbrite via email immediately following submission of the Request for Tickets form. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please reach out to [email protected] ASAP. If an additional guest ticket was requested and is available, it will be distributed to your FIT email one week before the ceremony on a first-come, first-served basis.

Additional guest tickets will be distributed one week before the ceremony, on a first-come, first-served basis.

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.

The deadline to order regalia online has passed. Anyone still needing to purchase their cap and gown may stop by the FIT Campus Store during cap and gown pickup days to inquire about availability. Master's regalia pickup this year is scheduled for: 

Monday–Friday, May 13–17, 9 am–8 pm
Monday, May 20, 9 am–5 pm

Regalia can be picked up at the FIT Campus Store on the following days/times: 

Master's regalia pickup times for preorders and in-store purchases:  
Monday–Friday, May 13–17, 9 am–8 pm
Monday, May 20, 9 am–5 pm

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.

No. FIT academic regalia is required attire.

There is no rehearsal for the Commencement and Hooding Ceremony. 

Students should arrive to the Haft Theater at 5 pm; guests should arrive at 5:15 pm. The ceremony will begin promptly at 6 pm.

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

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. 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 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.

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. To find a parking garage nearby, you can try using SpotHero.

No. Pets and emotional support animals are not allowed.

Bring as little as possible with you. 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. Guest seating is available in the Haft Theater on a first-come, first-served basis; graduating students will sit with their cohort.

Yes! It will be streamed live on the commencement website, fitnyc.edu/commencement. 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 Getting to FIT 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.