Graduate Hooding Ceremony
2025 Graduate Hooding Ceremony
Thursday, May 22, 2025
See below for specific ceremony times
*All graduating class of 2025 Doctoral and Master's students (students receiving doctorate degrees, master's degrees and dual degrees) who are eligible candidates for graduation are invited to participate in a Graduate Hooding Ceremony. A Hooding Ceremony adds to the graduation experience by making it possible to focus on advanced degree candidates and their accomplishments. It allows graduates, faculty, staff, family and friends a chance to witness the ceremonial hooding of a graduate student.
Please note that due to space constraints, there are two guest tickets per graduating student. This event is for eligible graduating doctoral and master's degree students who have confirmed their participation by the registration deadline, TBA. The event will be live-streamed via the John Jay YouTube, and we encourage family and friends to tune in. Please note that this ceremony will not replace Commencement for graduate students but this ceremony is in addition to the commencement ceremony.
The Hooding Ceremony consists of two separate ceremonies to be able to provide seating for as many guests as possible to celebrate graduating Doctoral and Master's graduates' accomplishments. Please note that ceremony timing and program breakdown below is subject to change.
AM Ceremony (11:30am Start Time)
- Criminal Justice (including PhD and dual degree programs)
- International Crime and Justice
- Public Administration (including dual degree programs)
- Public Administration - Inspection and Oversight
- Public Administration - Public Policy and Administration
PM Ceremony (2:30pm Start Time)
- Digital Forensics and Cyber Security
- Economics
- Emergency Management
- Forensic Mental Health Counseling
- Forensic Science
- Forensic Psychology (including the dual degree programs)
- Human Rights
- Protection Management
- Security Management
Graduating Students
If you wish to participate in the Graduate Hooding Ceremony, please follow the below instructions:
1. Click TBA link above to fill out the registration form to confirm your participation and reserve your two guest tickets for the hooding ceremony by the latest, TBA.
2. If you have not done so already, please purchase your academic regalia (with hood included) from Oak Hall Cap & Gown. All ceremony participants are required to be dressed in full academic attire. The deadline to order regalia is April 23, 2025. Please note that you will wear the same regalia on the day of the commencement ceremony on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.
History & Significance of a Graduate Hood
The origins of academic dress date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, when universities were taking form. The hood that forms part of today's academic dress was originally a head covering for bad weather. Later it was dropped to the shoulders in the form of a small cape. Eventually, the hood became a separate piece of apparel bearing even more symbolism than the gown. Today, hoods are the most expressive component of the academic costume. They serve to communicate the owner's school, degree and field of study through their length and the colors of the lining and binding. Today's hoods have evolved from a serviceable article of clothing to a type of elongated scarf draped over the shoulders and displayed down the back with the lining turned inside out.
John Jay's master's degree graduates and candidates receive their hood because of the level of education they have pursued beyond the baccalaureate degree. John Jay College's colors are blue and gold, hence these colors on the hood. The velvet trim on the hood signifies the scholar's field.