Commencement Information

There are important differences between graduation and Commencement.

Graduation is a three-step process consisting of completing all academic requirements for your degree, submitting an Application for Graduation and settling all financial obligations.  Students are not required to attend Commencement in order to graduate.

Commencement refers to the ceremony where you share the excitement and importance of your degree completion with family and friends.  It is also a time for the University, including the Board of Trustees, senior administrators, faculty and staff to pay special tribute to you for the outstanding efforts you have shown in earning your degree.

Students graduating in December 2023, January 2024, May 2024 and August 2024 are invited to participate in the May 11, 2024 Commencement ceremony. 

The Commencement ceremonies will be held at the CURE Insurance Arena Center located at 81 Hamilton Ave, Trenton, NJ.  The air-conditioned arena offers comfortable seating and easily accessible parking. The arena is fully compliant with all ADA accessibility guidelines. Tickets will be required for guest entrance to the ceremony and will be provided in advance to graduates along with parking passes.  Seating is general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Campus will be open on Commencement day for photographs.

Students with disability-related ADA accommodations should contact the Commencement Office at [email protected] to discuss their specific circumstances and needs.

Parking is available for those with state issued handicap hangtags or license plates in Lot 2 next to the arena as per this map.  The arena is fully compliant with all ADA accessibility guidelines.

Guests with limited mobility can be dropped off at Gate A, accessed via Lot 2, but those dropping them off must park elsewhere in Lots 1, 3 or 4. 

This page of the commencement website will be updated in early 2024.

This page of the commencement website will be updated in early 2024.

Concession stands will be open before and during the ceremony.  No outside food or beverages will be allowed into the arena.

Rider University recognizes exceptional academic achievement at Commencement. Qualifications for academic honors are based upon the student's academic average at the end of the first term of the senior year (December 2023 for May 2024 Commencement). Honors, as noted in the Commencement program and by tassel color, are awarded as follows:

Undergraduate (white tassel)

• Summa Cum Laude: academic average 3.75 - 4.00
• Magna Cum Laude: academic average 3.50 - 3.74
• Cum Laude: academic average 3.25 - 3.49

Graduate (cranberry tassel)

• With Distinction: academic average above 3.85

The University does not distribute cords or stoles; students should check with their honor societies and student organizations to see if they provide these items.

This page of the commencement website will be updated in early 2024.

Personalized Commencement Announcements and Class Ring may be ordered online through the Balfour website. Generic Commencement announcements are available for purchase in the University Bookstore. Diploma frames and other Rider merchandise are available at the Bookstore or may be ordered online in advance. Please contact the Bookstore directly at 609-896-5121 for more information.

Students can verify that their degree application has been submitted by checking the Commencement candidates list posted on the Commencement Candidates page.   The lists are updated daily as degree applications are submitted. Students should check that their name is spelled correctly. How it appears on the list will be as it appears on your diploma. Any changes should be reported to the Registrar's Office at (609) 896-5065. If you are not listed and feel you should be, please contact your dean’s office directly.

Diplomas are not distributed during the Commencement ceremony. Your actual diploma will be mailed to you 4 to 6 weeks after clearance from the Registrar and Dean for your specified degree conferral date (December 2023, January 2024, May 2024 or August 2024).

If you would like a copy of your transcript, please request it through the Registrar's Office.  Information and the Transcript Request Form can be found on the Registrar's Office website.  Diplomas and transcripts indicate academic honors based upon the cumulative grade point average achieved at the end of the senior year.