Communications Archive—Graduate Studies
Commencement 2025 Communications Archive: School of Graduate Studies
An archive of emails sent to students graduating with a master's degree who plan to participate in the spring 2025 commencement and hooding ceremony.
Congratulations graduate! It's time to celebrate!
To help ensure a pleasant experience for all attendees, FIT is pleased to provide information regarding access, logistics, and general instructions for the 2025 Commencement and Hooding Ceremony at the Haft Theater at FIT.
Graduate Attire
Don't forget your regalia: It's required. Monday, May 19, is the last day to pick up your regalia at the FIT Campus Store.
Regalia will not be sold at the ceremony.
Security
As you know, FIT is monitored by Public Safety officers throughout campus, but there
is no storage for personal belongings at the Haft Theater. Please bring yourself,
essential personal items, or a small bag that you can keep with you during the ceremony.
Graduate Arrival Time
Arrive at 5 pm robed in your regalia (carry your hood with you) to be seated with
your degree program. Look for the commencement signage at the entrance to the Haft
Theater on West 27th Street. Your ticket and your guests' tickets were emailed to
your FIT email address. If you haven't received your ticket, email [email protected].
Guest Arrival, Entrance, and Seating
Guests should use the Haft Theater entrance on West 27th Street. Look for the commencement
signage marking the entrance. Guests can enter at 5 pm; don’t forget, they will need
their tickets to enter!
Accessibility and Special Accommodations
If you or your guests have accommodations requests, please use the Request for Accommodations Form.
Ceremony Duration
The program will be approximately one hour long from the start of the procession.
Group Photos
Immediately following the ceremony, graduates will be guided to Room C205 for department
group photos.
Post-Ceremony Celebration
After your group photo, be sure to stop by the reception in the FIT Dining Hall and
Breezeway. There will be tables hosted by Alumni Relations, the FIT Campus Store,
and The Commencement Group and pick up refreshments and gifts, or you can order commemorative merchandise ahead of time.
Livestream
The ceremony will be streamed live on the commencement website and on Vimeo. The stream will also provide live captioning.
Code of Conduct
Students, please remember at this event you will be held to the same expectations
and standards outlined in the Code of Student Conduct. Any individuals who violate these policies will be asked to leave the ceremony.
All of this information can also be found on the Master's Ceremony website, fitnyc.edu/sgscommencement.
We look forward to celebrating this milestone with you!
Master's Regalia Pickup Begins May 5!
Regalia can be picked up at the FIT Campus Store on the following dates:
Pickup for prepaid orders only
Starts May 5
New in-store purchases
Starts May 7
FIT Campus Store hours are Monday–Friday, 11 am–6 pm.
Anyone still needing to purchase regalia may stop by the FIT Campus Store during general pickup to inquire about availability.
How to wear your regalia
- Traditionally, the gown is worn closed. It should sit comfortably on your shoulders, and it should fall below your knees, but not so low that it is a tripping hazard.
- Place the cap so that the front point is aligned with the center of your forehead. The top of the mortarboard should be parallel to the ground. You may need hair clips to secure the cap to your head.
- Since you all have previously received your bachelor's degrees, wear your tassels on the left side of your mortarboard.
- Carry your master's hood with you. When it is your turn to cross the stage, hand it to your department chair and they will place it over your shoulders.
The 2025 Commencement ticket request window will close on March 31.
If you have not requested tickets to attend the ceremony, time is running out!
REQUEST YOUR COMMENCEMENT TICKETS
March 31 is also the deadline for other commencement-related matters:
- Requesting to be added to the waitlist for an additional guest ticket
- Applying to graduate
- Ordering your cap, gown, and tassel, etc.
Find details about all of these tasks on the Student Checklist.
The deadline is March 31.
Have you requested your tickets and ordered regalia? Don't miss the deadline. These two steps are REQUIRED to participate in the School of Graduate Studies Commencement and Hooding Ceremony.
Order a Cap and Gown from Herff Jones*
*Regalia is required attire for all students attending commencement ceremonies. You may order your regalia to be picked up at the FIT Campus Store in May or have it delivered to your home for an extra charge. See the FAQs for details.
Tickets for the 2025 Commencement and Hooding Ceremony are now available!
Here's what you need to know:
- You must complete the ticket form below to attend your ceremony—whether you're bringing guests or not! Don't miss out on securing your spot.
- Each graduate can request up to four (4) guest tickets.
- Graduates must use their FIT email address to complete the ticket form. Duplicate requests or requests made from a non-FIT email address will be deleted.
RESERVE YOUR MASTER'S CEREMONY TICKET(S)
Reminder
Check your FIT email inbox and review the master’s ceremony checklist to make sure all deadlines are met.
The best place to go for the most comprehensive details and information about commencement is fitnyc.edu/sgscommencement.
The form to request tickets for the 2025 Master's Commencement Ceremony at Haft Theater will open on Monday, March 3 at noon!
You will receive an email with a link to the form on Monday or you may access it directly on the commencement website. You must complete this form to attend commencement and to request guest tickets for your ceremony.
And don’t forget:
- Review the master's ceremony checklist to make sure all deadlines are met.
- Keep checking your FIT email for updates.
As always, the best place to go for the most updated information about commencement is fitnyc.edu/sgscommencement.
Let’s get ready to celebrate!
Dear Graduating Students,
Each year, commencement is an opportunity for students, their families, and their loved ones, along with the FIT community, to celebrate the academic journey that led to this significant milestone—achieving a degree.
This year’s conferral of degrees and a hooding ceremony for the master’s degree candidates of the School of Graduate Studies will take place at 6 pm on Tuesday, May 20, in the Morris W. and Fannie B. Haft Theater on FIT’s campus.
The ceremony will be approximately one hour long and will be followed by a celebration reception where you and your guests can enjoy refreshments and take photos at our official step-and-repeat backdrop.
Please make sure you review the master's ceremony checklist for important deadlines, information, and helpful tips.
I wish you a productive semester and I look forward to celebrating with you in May!
Dr. Joyce F. Brown
President
Fashion Institute of Technology
I am very pleased to announce the dates for the 2025 undergraduate and graduate commencement exercises next spring.
Similar to last year, FIT will hold six undergraduate ceremonies at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park, on Wednesday and Thursday, May 21 and 22, 2025.
We will also hold a Family Celebration event before and after each ceremony so all can enjoy refreshments, take family photos at our official step-and-repeat backdrop, and partake of special commencement activities and gifts.
I am delighted to share that the ceremonies have been grouped by school and major to enable you to participate with your classmates.
The 2025 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremonies will be held on:
- Wednesday, May 21: Jay and Patty Baker School of Business and Technology
- Thursday, May 22: School of Art and Design; School of Liberal Arts and Sciences
You may find the time of your ceremony by going to the commencement website at fitnyc.edu/commencement.
The conferral of degrees and a hooding ceremony for the master’s degree candidates of the School of Graduate Studies will take place at 6 pm on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in the Morris W. and Fannie B. Haft Theater at FIT.
Periodically throughout the spring 2025 semester, commencement information will be sent to you including reminders of important deadlines to register for graduation, order graduation regalia, make guest ticket reservations, etc. You are also encouraged to check fitnyc.edu/commencement regularly for updates.
I hope you have a productive rest of the fall semester and I look forward to seeing you at next spring’s commencement exercises.
Dr. Joyce F. Brown
President
Fashion Institute of Technology
This page last updated: May 19, 2025.