All You Need to Know About Commencement

Please complete the Graduation Application on the main page of Regis Hub if you have not already done so. Once the form is complete, the Office of the Registrar will conduct the required degree audit. (If you do not receive a confirmation, please resubmit your application through Regis Hub.)

If you need to make any changes to the form, you can do so up to a month before the conferral date. For changes required within one month of conferral, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Submitting this application notifies the Office of the Registrar of a student’s intent to graduate only. All degree audits must be approved by applicable advisors, program directors, and the Office of the Registrar.

All transcript orders are now processed by the National Student Clearinghouse. We offer paper and electronic official transcripts for current Regis students, along with alumni and former students who attended Regis after 2000. Fee: $5.25 plus an additional $1 for emailed transcript option. Additional copies are $2.50/each.

For alumni and former students who attended Regis prior to 2000, we offer paper official transcripts only. We do not offer electronic or emailed official transcripts. Fee: $5.25. Additional copies are $2.50/each.

Mailing

Your official diploma will be mailed to the address provided on your application roughly ten to 12 weeks following your conferral date.

Proof of Degree

Students who need proof of their degree completion may request a transcript once their degree has been awarded.

Diploma Format

All Regis College diplomas are in Latin (except for Post-Masters Certificates). The degrees are printed in Latin as they were originally approved when Regis was founded in 1927.

Translation of the Latin Text of the Regis College Degree

Candidates for graduation will be able to find the link to order their cap, gown and hood here when the order from becomes available in the spring semester.

When are the deadlines to order regalia?

Deadlines for ordering regalia will be provided when the order form opens in the spring semester.

When will regalia be available?

Delivery information for regalia will be provided when the order form opens in the spring semester.

Candidates for graduation must meet all academic and financial requirements. Please check with your advisor if you have any questions. You must be financially cleared to receive your degree and transcript. Undergraduate students are eligible to participate in Commencement with no more than two courses to complete toward degree completion. All Graduate and Doctoral students, including online, are eligible to participate in Commencement if they can successfully complete all of their degree requirements by August of the same year.

When is the Baccalaureate Ceremony?

The date for this year's Baccalaureate ceremony will be announced at a later date.

What is the Baccalaureate Ceremony?

The Baccalaureate Mass, open to students and families of all faith traditions, celebrates the completion of an undergraduate career at Regis. As a Catholic university sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, Regis has always celebrated Baccalaureate with a special liturgy to give thanks and praise to God for the many blessings and accomplishments of the journey.

In addition, at the conclusion of Mass, members of the graduating class receive their hood, a symbol of the degree earned, and are recognized for their academic and co-curricular achievements.

All are welcome to attend.

Please contact the Office of Student Affairs at 781.768.7050 if you have any questions.

One of my guests has a disability, what should I do?

As a university committed to inclusion, Regis welcomes and accommodates all.

For questions about accessibility, you can contact the Regis College Police Department located in College Hall 102 at 781.768.7111. Guests requiring any additional accommodations should reach out directly to the Office of Student Accessibility Services.

Ticket information will be available in the spring semester.

Graduates who have specific academic achievements may wear a ceremonial medal, cord, or stole bestowed upon them by Regis. Candidates for degrees must wear robes and hoods appropriate to their degree.

Appropriate dress and removable layers of clothing are key to staying comfortable in Boston’s unpredictable climate.

We encourage students not to leave any belongings unattended while in the venue.

When should graduating students arrive at the venue?

More information about student arrival will be available in the spring semester.

When should guests arrive at the venue?

More information about guest arrival will be available in the spring semester.

More information about the ceremony schedule will be available in the spring semester.

The Commencement ceremony will take place rain or shine.

Dress warmly. You can always take off a sweater or jacket under your robe.

When will I receive my diploma after graduation?

Diplomas will be mailed via USPS to the address you provided on your Graduation Application form approximately ten to 12 weeks following your graduation. If you did not provide an address, your diploma will be mailed to the address on file with the Center for Student Services (CSS). It is your responsibility to update your address with CSS if your permanent address information changes. If you have a financial hold, your diploma will be held until you have cleared your obligation to the university. Regis College is not responsible for diplomas lost or damaged during the shipping process.

Does Regis provide copies of diplomas?

No, Regis does not provide copies of diplomas.

Can I make copies of my diploma?

Yes! You are encouraged to make good, color copies prior to getting your diploma framed as you may need copies in the future for employment purposes.

What if my diploma is lost/damaged due to theft, fire, etc.?

In the event of your diploma being lost/damaged, please contact the Office of the Registrar to discuss options.

My diploma is in Latin. Where can I find an English translation?

Translation of the Latin Text of the Regis College Degree

What’s the difference between “Graduation” and “Commencement”?

“Graduation” is the date you are awarded your degree/certificate. “Commencement” is the ceremony/celebration where eligible students may “walk” across the stage. Graduation dates and commencement dates do not always align as Regis has three official graduation dates: August 31, December 31 and May (actual day varies), and one commencement ceremony in May. Anticipated August graduates are allowed to participate in the May commencement ceremony as long as you are within six credits of completing your program.

Students enrolled in our Online Program are eligible to participate in Commencement if they can successfully complete all requirements by August of the same year.

What happens if I lose or misplace my diploma and need to order another one?

Another copy of your diploma can be ordered for a fee.

Personalized graduation announcements/invitations are available through Jostens, Inc. for those who are interested. Orders can be placed through Jostens directly at Graduation Announcements and Class Rings.

The $300 Graduation Fee will be posted to your account once you submit the Graduation Application.

All graduating students are charged the graduation fee and the fee is not related to or dependent on a student’s attendance at commencement. Students are billed this fee separately from their tuition bill during the last semester of their program. The graduation fee may be paid via cash or check by visiting the Center for Student Services or online.

Please note that all charges and fees are set by the Board of Trustees and are subject to change each year.

Will my picture be taken at Commencement?

E-lluminations will be taking photos of graduates at Commencement. They will be up front taking a photograph of each graduate which will be available for purchase. They can be reached at help@e-lluminations.com or 978.378.4660. Family members are not allowed access to the stage to take individual photos.

I cannot get to the venue on Saturday, can I still follow the ceremony?

Yes, the ceremony will be live streamed. Details will be available closer to the date on the Commencement website.

Is Commencement being recorded?

Commencement will be streamed. It will be available for viewing from the Commencement web page and on Regis' YouTube channel.

You can order souvenirs and diploma frames any time from the Regis Gear Shop. The Regis Gear Shop will also have a table at the event where you can purchase Regis items.

How are post master’s certification students recognized at Commencement?

Students receiving a Post Master Certificate will sit together as a group, and march with all other Regis graduates. They are also listed in the Commencement program. Wearing regalia is required to participate, and should be ordered with the Gear Shop. Diplomas are mailed out to the home address on file following commencement.

Formerly known as the Kente Ceremony, the Sankofa Ceremony is a Regis tradition co-led by students and staff that aims to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of graduates from historically marginalized and underrepresented ethnicities in the United States.

The term Sankofa originates from Ghana and can be loosely translated as retrieving your history to bring it forward with you. In line with its namesake, this event provides graduates an opportunity to honor the supporters of their college journey while highlighting their heritage and culture.

When is the Master’s and Doctoral Commencement Eve Toast?

More information about the Commencement Eve Toast will be available in the spring semester

What is the Master’s and Doctoral Commencement Eve Toast?

The Commencement Eve Toast, open to all Master’s, Post-Master’s Certificate, and Doctoral students eligible to graduate by August 2025, is a celebratory evening reception in honor of your academic achievements! This celebration is an opportunity to come together with President Hays, classmates, faculty and staff to celebrate your hard-won accomplishments.

Regalia is not required; however, we encourage you to bring it along to take memorable photos with your classmates, faculty and the Regis Mascots with the stunning Weston campus as your backdrop!

Graduates are welcome to attend with up to two guests.

A formal invitation will be emailed in March and RSVP is required.

Please contact the graduateaffairs@regiscollege.edu if you have any questions.

One of my guests has a disability, what should I do?

As a university committed to inclusion, Regis welcomes and accommodates all. For questions about accessibility, you can contact the Regis College Police Department located in College Hall 102 at 781.768.7111. Guests requiring any additional accommodations should reach out directly to the Office of Student Accessibility Services.