General Information
Commencement at FIU
Commencement vs Graduation
Bachelor’s and Master’s Academic Regalia
Doctoral Academic Regalia
Dress Code
Academic Honor Students
Honor Societies
Stole of Gratitude
Diplomas
Commencement at FIU
Commencement is a recognition and celebration of student achievement and the lasting contributions that students have made to the university. The ceremony marks a beginning for graduates, who will now embark on a new journey.
FIU Commencement exercises take place annually at the end of the Spring and Fall semester on the Modesto Maidique Campus.
Commencement vs Graduation
Although people often use the words interchangeably, Commencement and Graduation are not the same thing. It is important to understand that participating in a Commencement ceremony does not mean that you have completed your degree and actually graduated. Commencement is a formal ceremony for students who have been cleared to walk in the Commencement ceremonies by the Office of the Registrar. Only the Office of the Registrar can confirm your official graduation status.
Bachelor’s and Master’s Academic Regalia
The undergraduate academic gown is blue, and the masters, specialists and doctoral gowns are black. Caps and gowns are available for purchase at the FIU bookstore during Grad Send-Off. The tassel, which is attached to the cap, is to be placed on the right side of your cap.
FIU traditional tassel colors, according to college/school are:
| College of Architecture and The Arts |
|
| Architecture |
Blue Violet |
| The Arts |
White |
| College of Arts and Sciences |
White |
| Public Administration |
Peacock Blue |
| Criminal Justice |
Peacock Blue |
| College of Business Administration |
Drab |
| College of Education |
Light Blue |
| College of Engineering and Computing |
Orange |
| School of Hospitality and Tourism Management |
Navy Blue |
| School of Journalism and Mass Communication |
Crimson |
| College of Nursing and Health Sciences |
|
| Nursing |
Apricot |
| Health Sciences |
Green |
| Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work |
|
| Public Health |
Salmon |
| Social Work |
Peacock Blue |
| Honors College |
Gold |
Doctoral AcademicRegalia
The hood of the Ph.D. candidate gown is navy blue, and the hood of the Ed.D. candidate gown is light blue. The tassel of all doctoral candidates is gold.
Doctoral candidates can rent custom professional regalia (including cap, gown, tassel and hood), which will only be guaranteed by the FIU Bookstore if ordered well in advance. They can also purchase the regalia. Rush orders can be processed up to one week prior to the ceremony for a rush handling fee. All rental regalia (caps and gowns) must be returned to the FIU Bookstore by the date stipulated at the time of the rental.
Dress Code
Commencement is a ceremony that recognizes the academic achievements of our graduates. Proper attire and behavior are expected. Comfortable, business-casual clothing is recommended for students walking at Commencement:
- Please do not wear sneakers, beach sandals, or shorts.
- Wear shoes and visible items of clothing under your gown in dark colors that harmonize with the Commencement gown.
- The Stole of Gratitude is not intended for you, but for individuals in the audience who provided extraordinary help and support to you during your studies.
- Non-academic stoles, non-academic cords, non-academic medallions, and other types of non-academic adornments should not be worn at Commencement.
Academic Honor Students
The FIU Bookstore maintains a list of undergraduate students who have earned 40 credits at FIU and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher as of their most recent completed semester. Students meeting these criteria will be allowed to purchase an honor cord to be worn over their regalia during Commencement. If you think that your name was inadvertently omitted from that list, contact the Office of the Registrar. Please note that students with “exceptions to walk” are not allowed to wear honor cords.
Honor Societies
Please contact your specific honor society for information regarding its respective academic stoles and medallions.
Stole of Gratitude
The Stole of Gratitude is not intended for you, but for individuals in the audience who provided extraordinary help and support to you during your studies.
Diplomas
Students who have officially graduated will receive their diplomas five weeks after Commencement by mail IF no outstanding financial obligations are due to the university. Please confirm the completion of your degree requirements with your advisor. Your degree will not be recorded on your transcript until four weeks after Commencement. If you need to show proof of your degree prior to receiving your diploma, your academic advisor can write a letter of confirmation.
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