Checklist for Graduate Students | Worcester State University

[...] About Commencement Graduate Commencement & Ho...

Checklist for Graduate Students

Graduate Commencement & Hooding 2026

Graduate Student Checklist

Submit an Intent to Graduate Form before March 15, with the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education (located on the fourth floor of the Shaughnessy Administration Building).
Review your Commencement invitation letter from the Graduate School. (We mail letters at the end of February.) If you have any questions, please contact Sonela Demirazi at sdemirazi@worcester.edu or 508-929-8125.
Order your cap and gown online at buildagrad.com/worcestermaster (Check back for dates cap and gown can be purchased)
Pre-register with professional photographers “The Grad Team” who will be on hand to photograph your special moment as you cross the stage and are congratulated by President Maloney. They will provide portrait photographs of each graduate as well as candid photos of the graduating class. Don’t miss out on these special memories. Pre-register and have your proofs emailed directly to you or a family member.
Please fill out the Accessible Seating Request Form* by April 24th, 2026 to make arrangements with the Student Accessibility Services if you or your guests are a person(s) with a disability and require accommodations.

* Worcester State login required to access request form.

Dear 2025–2026 Master’s and Ed.S. Graduates and Candidates,

In celebration of your academic achievements, the Graduate School of Worcester State University invites you to participate in the Graduate Commencement and Hooding Ceremony on Thursday, May 14, 2026. The ceremony will be held in the Wellness Center, followed by a reception in Binienda Green, located next to the Wellness Center.

During the ceremony, graduate coordinators will formally hood each graduate. In addition, Graduate School Medals will be awarded to students with the highest academic achievement in each program. Graduate Medallion recipients will be notified prior to the ceremony. We encourage August 2025 and December 2025 graduates to return to campus to participate, along with May 2026 graduates and August 2026 candidates.

Ceremony and Reception Information

Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. inside the Multi-Purpose Gym, Wellness Center (2nd Floor)

Check-in deadline: 5:15 p.m. (cap, gown, and hood required)

Procession begins at 5:30 p.m.

Ceremony begins at 6:00 p.m.

Reception immediately following the ceremony

Cap and Gown Information

All graduates must wear a Master’s or Ed.S. cap, gown, and hood

Orders must be placed online at http://www.buildagrad.com/worcestermaster

Order deadline: Sunday, March 22, 2026

Final late order deadline: April 5, 2026

Costs: Master’s $27.24 | Ed.S. $27.89

Cap and gown orders shipped to Worcester State University will be available for pickup May 4–May 13 in the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education, Administration Building, 4th Floor.

Eligibility to Participate in the May 2026 Ceremony

Students who will be no more than two (2) courses away from completing their degree requirements after the Spring 2026 semester and who plan to complete those remaining courses during the Summer 2026 terms (with an anticipated August 2026 graduation) may request permission to participate in the May 2026 Commencement and Hooding Ceremony.

To request approval, eligible students must:

Email gradintent2graduate@worcester.edu to request permission to participate in the May 2026 ceremony.

Register and pay for the remaining one or two summer courses as soon as Summer registration opens during the first week of March.

Once registered, email proof of summer course registration to gradintent2graduate@worcester.edu.

The deadline for inclusion on the graduation list and for your name to appear in the Commencement program is March 15, 2026.

Congratulations on your achievement. If you have any questions, please contact Sonela Demirazi at 508.929.8125 or Grace Weber at 508.929.8127, or visit www.worcester.edu/Graduate-Commencement for additional information.