An Overview of the Ceremony

Location 
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts - Verizon Hall
260 South Broad Street on the Avenue of the Arts
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 790-5800 - We expect the ceremony to conclude at approximately 1:30 PM.

Graduate Programs Commencement Ceremony

This ceremony is for students receiving the following degrees:
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, Doctor of Psychology in School Psychology; Master of Science in School Psychology; Educational Specialist; Master of Science in Counseling and Clinical Health Psychology; Master of Science Organizational Development and
Leadership; Master of Science in Forensic Medicine; Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences, and Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant Studies.

Academic Procession

The following is an explanation of the progression of the event:  At approximately 11:15 AM we will begin forming the line of graduates. You will line up in single file in seating order, by program. Your group will be led in the procession by your Faculty Program Director. The marshalling order will be posted in Perelman Theater, so please check it to be sure you are in the right place in line.

At 11:30 AM the procession will move from Perelman Theatre over to Verizon Hall. Upon arrival in Verizon Hall, the faculty marshals (Program Director) for each program will lead the procession to the graduate seating area, and direct participants to an open row. All graduates will be in the audience and will arrive there first, followed by the Faculty members who will be seated on the stage.  Remain standing at your seat until all faculty members arrive on the stage and await the Dean's signal to be seated.

The commencement ceremony will be presented in American Sign Language through on stage interpreters for the duration of the program.





Commencement Program

The ceremony will include: the National Anthem; an invocation; a major address and honorary degree presentation; speeches and remarks from classmates and administrators; the conferral of degrees; the hooding of graduates; a concluding statement and recessional.

The Hooding and Degree Conferral Ceremony
At the appointed time in the program, the Dean will invite doctoral students to please stand. Dr. Schure will bestow the degree on your group. Once the degree is bestowed upon the graduates, you will approach the stage and Dr. Cuzzolino will immediately begin calling the names of the graduates for this degree. 

When your name is called, walk across the stage front, accept your rolled diploma from Dr. Schure, shake his hand, shake Dean Veit's hand, and then proceed to the hooding area where the appropriate faculty member will hood the graduate.



Graduates are hooded by their program director, department head or faculty advisor as determined by the academic program. Any member of the academic procession may assist in hooding without special approval.

Hooding Policy
The Hooding Information Form must be completed if you have a family member who meets the PCOM criteria as stated in the Hooding Policy. The Hooding Policy is available either in the Dean's Office or you can dowload it here. The Hooding Information Form is available either in the Dean's Office, Suite 205 Evans Hall or you can download it here.The Hooding Information paperwork must be returned to the Office of the Dean by no later than May 2, 2008.

At the time of Hooding

Turn and face the audience, remove your cap, your advisor will hood you, then place your cap back on.

Returning to your assigned seat
The graduate should then turn around, continue to the end of the platform to exit the stage and return to his or her assigned seat. Please remain standing at your seat until all of the graduates have returned to their seats.

Conclusion and Recessional

Following the closing prayer, faculty will lead the procession and Dr. Cuzzolino will direct you to follow the faculty out to conclude the ceremony. You do not have to return your cap, gown and hood. They are yours to keep. If your diploma is ready for pick-up, please proceed to Perelman Theatre immediately following the ceremony.

Diploma Pick Up

The rolled diploma you receive on stage during the ceremony is NOT your official diploma. If you are eligible for the official diploma at this time, you may pick it up in Perelman Theater which will be open for one hour following the ceremony. The Registrar will distribute the diplomas in Perelman Theater soon after the ceremony in Verizon Hall is completed. For students who are unable to pick up their diplomas on Commencement Day, diplomas will be available the day after Commencement in the Office of the Registrar at PCOM during regular business hours or by calling (215) 871-6723.

Diplomas for doctoral graduates are dated throughout the year as dissertations are completed and bound. Doctoral graduates will receive their diplomas following one of the four annual Board of Trustees meeting dates at which degrees are conferred. Doctoral graduates should consult with their program director for their dissertation completion and degree conferral dates.