Doctoral Commencement Ceremony

The doctoral commencement ceremony is the official ceremony for doctoral graduates, so doctoral graduates do not participate in the general graduation ceremonies for master’s students and undergraduates.

At the ceremony, doctoral graduates are presented to University Leadership, family, and friends and their degrees are conferred by the President of the University. The names of graduates are announced with the title of "Doctor" for the first time as they walk across the stage, where they are hooded by their faculty advisor.

The doctoral hood is a symbolic honor of distinction bestowed upon scholars who have attained the highest level of formal education available in the world, representing a typical range of five to seven years of study beyond the bachelor’s degree. Clemson’s 46-inch-long doctoral hood is usually draped over the shoulders by the faculty member who, as chair of the advisory committee, has formally mentored and guided the student’s research and education.

The doctors’ gowns worn by graduates and faculty are full, with bell-like sleeves. The front is bordered with velvet panels, and the sleeves are marked by three velvet bars. While some gowns are black with black velvet, one variation is to replace black velvet with velvet in the discipline's color. A second variation is a colored gown, usually of the university’s colors.

All hoods specify the degree level, the discipline studied and the awarding institution. The width of the velvet trim conveys the degree. In addition, the degree is indicated by the color of the trim edging the hood, forming the throat over the gown. The most frequently seen color is dark blue, which designates the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. Finally, the color of the hood’s lining is specific to the awarding institution. The colors are displayed in combinations that are drawn from heraldry. Notice that the Clemson University hood is lined with purple through which is an orange chevron (a “V”). Although many combinations are duplicated by dozens of institutions, Clemson is presently the only institution with that registered combination of purple and orange.

You will note that faculty members wear gowns, caps and hoods of many colors and designs. These academic costumes of medieval origin are, for faculty with degrees from U.S. institutions, specified by a uniform code maintained by the American Council on Education. Caps are black and are usually mortar boards or tams with tassels. Doctors of philosophy wear gold tassels, usually of metallic thread; those with other degrees wear black or discipline colors. Those who have received their degrees from institutions outside the United States wear regalia specified by the awarding institutions.

Participant Information for Graduates

Doctoral students who apply for graduation will receive an email asking them to confirm whether they will attend the ceremony and to provide further information via a registration link. This email will be delivered to the student's clemson.edu address (not g.clemson.edu) so, as always, soon-to-be graduates should ensure their clemson.edu account is not full or otherwise disabled.

If any graduate, faculty member, or guest requires assistance or accommodations due to disability or other impairment, contact Student Accessibility Services at studentaccess@lists.clemson.edu.

Regalia

Official Clemson doctoral regalia is required for graduates in the doctoral commencement ceremony. The deadline for ordering doctoral regalia is several weeks before the ceremony. Dates for the next several ceremonies are on the deadlines page.

You may choose to rent some items (the gown and tam, for example) and purchase others (the hood). Questions about regalia ordering and delivery should be directed to the University Bookstore.

Day of Ceremony

While the ceremony begins at 3 pm, graduates and faculty advisors/hooders are asked to arrive at LittleJohn Coliseum at 2:15 pm for check-in and lining up for the procession. Most parking regulations are lifted the day of graduation, and you may park in any available spot that is not marked for a special purpose (handicap, service vehicles, etc).  Graduates and hooders will enter through the loading dock doors from the Avenue of Champions at the southwest corner of the arena. 

At 2:45, graduates and the stage party of University dignitaries will walk in line to the arena floor and take their seats. There will be a few speeches before degrees are conferred, and graduates are individually welcomed onto the stage to be hooded and take a photograph. After all graduates have been hooded, everyone will sing the Alma Mater together, before the graduates and the stage party exit the arena floor.

Information for Faculty Hooders

Faculty who have been selected by graduates to hood them at the ceremony will receive an email with instructions a few days after ceremony registration closes.  The instructions are very similar to the ones sent to graduates.  Hooders should arrive at check-in starting at 2:15, wearing regalia, and meet their graduate at their line-up position.

Information for Guests

Guests can enter through the East, North, and West doors of the coliseum, but the Burton Gallery doors are usually not available for entrance. The doors will open at 2 pm.

Clear bag policy will be in effect for all graduates and guests. Only bags that are clear plastic are allowed in the coliseum and the policy will be in effect at commencement at all doors. 

May 2026

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