Two men and a women at the Master's Hooding Ceremony pose for a picture
Two people drape a hood over a male graduate's head at the Master's Hooding Ceremony
Two people drape a hood over a male graduate's head at the Master's Hooding Ceremony
A wide shot of the stage at the Master's Hooding Ceremony with one person walking toward three other people on stage
A man shakes a graduate's hand at the Master's Hooding Ceremony

Spring 2020 Master's hooding ceremony update 

Due to health and safety concerns due to COVID-19, the University has canceled the Spring 2020 Master's Hooding Ceremony.

The University remains fully committed to celebrating our master's graduates. We will reach out to you with details about how and when we will celebrate your graduation.

We understand that everyone is disappointed about the cancelation of the Hooding Ceremony and thank you for your understanding and perseverance through these unprecedented times.

What to Expect

The Spring 2020 Master's Hooding Ceremony will be held on Monday, April, 20, 2020. There will be two ceremonies. The first ceremony, for students graduating from programs in the Daniel L. Goodwin College of Education, will begin at 5:30 p.m. The second ceremony, for students graduating from programs in the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Business and Management, will be held at 7:30 pm. Both ceremonies will be held in the Northeastern Illinois University Auditorium.

Graduates: An invitation will be sent to your NEIU email address from the College of Graduate Studies and Research approximately four weeks before the ceremony with an RSVP form. 

All graduates must obtain regalia in order to participate in the Master’s Hooding Ceremony. Pre-registration for Commencement does not automatically register you for the Hooding Ceremony. Please be sure to register for both if you plan on attending both ceremonies.

There is no rehearsal for the Master’s Hooding Ceremony; please follow the instructions below for lineup, marching and hooding on the day of the ceremony.

Regalia Information

  • All graduates participating in the Master's Hooding Ceremony MUST attend in the appropriate regalia.

  • The price for master’s cap, gown, hood and tassel is $77.

  • Regalia ordered on-line through Jostens prior to February 23 will be available for pick up at the Commencement Resource Fair or may be purchased at the NEIU Bookstore on Bryn Mawr campus. 

  • You will wear full regalia (cap and gown) for both the Master’s Hooding Ceremony and Commencement. 

  • Please purchase your regalia early so that you have time to iron or steam it before the event.

Guest Tickets

No guests will be allowed to enter the Auditorium for the ceremony unless they have a ticket. Due to limited seating, graduating students participating in the Hooding Ceremony may bring up to 2 (two) guests each. Guest tickets will be offered on a first come, first served basis.

Tickets for your guests may be picked up at Commencement Resource Fair 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, and 3-7 p.m.Thursday, April 2, 2020, in Alumni Hall.

Beginning Friday, April 3, 2020, guest tickets may be picked up between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. (Monday-Friday) at the Welcome Desk located in Village Square. Photo ID is required. The deadline to pick up your tickets is Wednesday, April 8. After the deadline, we will distribute remaining tickets to our wait list, and cannot guarantee the availability of your guest tickets.   

We ask that you pick up your tickets as early as possible - it will help us with our planning for this event. If you are unable to pick up your tickets, please call (773) 442-6011 or email us to make other arrangements. 

The Day of the Ceremony

Students standing during the commencement ceremony

  • Arrive at the Auditorium no later than half an hour before your ceremony on April 20.                                                                        

  • Complimentary parking is available on the fifth floor of the Parking Facility, which is marked as building 16 on the interactive campus map.

  • Wear your gown and cap and bring your hood. 

  • Leave personal belongings in your vehicle or with your guests – the University is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

  • Go to the check-in table located outside of Alumni Hall to obtain your reader card which will feature you name and program. It will be used to announce your name as you get hooded. 

  • Your guest(s) may sit anywhere in the rear sections of the Auditorium, but they will not sit with you during the ceremony.

  • An usher will be available to escort you and your guests to the appropriate seating area.

  • Once the ceremony begins, an usher will guide your program on stage.

  • Due to the formality of this event, please tell your guests that if young children are unable to sit quietly during the ceremony, they are encouraged to step outside into the hallway out of courtesy to your fellow graduates.

  • No balloons will be allowed inside the Auditorium.

Marching

  • Ushers will indicate when to go on stage.

  • Take your reader card and your hood (unbuttoned, draped over your left arm with velvet closest to your elbow) with you to the stage.

  • Hand your reader card to the reader on stage.

  • Walk to the hooding area and present your hood to the Deans. You will be hooded by your College’s Dean and the Graduate Dean.

  • The photographer will take an action photo as you are being hooded.

  • Continue to the other side of the stage to greet faculty from your master’s program.

  • Quietly return to your seat; an usher will be available to assist you.

  • Out of courtesy to your fellow graduates, please stay in the Auditorium for the entire program.

Reception

Immediately following each ceremony, there will be a reception held in Alumni Hall for you and your guests.

Social Media

We encourage graduates, friends, and family to use the hashtag #NEIUgrad on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Don't forget to follow NEIU on Facebook and Instagram (@neiulife) and Twitter (@neiu)!

Have Questions?

Contact the College of Graduate Studies and Research at (773) 442-6011 or graduatestudies@neiu.edu.