Graduate Hooding Ceremony
2025 Graduate Hooding Ceremony
TBA
See below for specific ceremony times
*All graduating class of 2025 Master's students (students receiving Master's Degrees and dual degrees) who are candidates for graduation are invited to participate in the 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 graduate faculty, staff, and fellow peers a chance to witness the ceremonial hooding of a graduate student.
Please note that due to space constraints, students can only invite two guests to attend. This event is open to the graduating Master's students who RSVP by TBA. The event will be live-streamed to the John Jay website and we encourage family members to watch the ceremony from the comfort of their own homes. Please note that this ceremony will not replace Commencement for graduate students but is in addition to.
The Hooding Ceremony consists of two separate ceremonies to invite more guests to celebrate graduating Master's students' accomplishments. Below is the breakdown of the two ceremonies:
AM Ceremony
-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
-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
Students
If you wish to participate in the Graduate Hooding Ceremony, please follow the below instructions:
1. Click TBA link above to fill out a registration form to let us know you will be attending no later than TBA.
2. If you have not done so already, please purchase your academic regalia (with hood included) from Oak Hall Cap & Gown. All participants are required to be dressed in full academic attire. The deadline to order your regalia is TBA.
You will wear the same regalia on the day of Commencement on TBA.
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.