University Commencement

Kean University is excited to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025 with a distinguished commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 13, for undergraduate and graduate students. The event will begin at 8 a.m. at the Prudential Center in Newark. 

Read more: Kean University Announces Unified Commencement Ceremony for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

Review Commencement FAQs

Kean's doctoral hooding ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, at Wilkins Theatre on the Union campus.

Guest seating will be first come, first served, and tickets are not required. Graduates must arrive at the theater by 5 p.m.

RSVP is required. Click here to fill out the response form.

Doctoral graduates who also wish to attend the universitywide commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 13 must register separately for the event. Registration information will be shared in the coming days.

Note: All hooding will take place at the campus ceremony on May 8.

At the Graduate Fair, graduates will have the opportunity to pick up their regalia and receive answers to any commencement-related questions. The following departments will also be on-site to offer assistance:

• Registrar’s Office: Verify your graduation status
• Career Services: Access job placement assistance and career resources
• Alumni Engagement: Register for future alumni events

Kean Ocean Graduate Fair

• Tuesday, April 29, 2025
• 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Gateway Building Atrium, Kean Ocean Campus

Kean Union Graduate Fair

• Thursday, May 1, 2025
• 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Downs Hall, Kean Union Campus

For additional information or questions, please contact commencement@kean.edu.

All graduates participating in the commencement ceremony are required to wear Kean University regalia (cap and gown) and will not be allowed to participate or enter Prudential Center without the Kean University regalia.  

The final deadline to apply to graduate and participate in the commencement ceremony was Saturday, April 19, 2025.  

If you have questions regarding your commencement ceremony status, please contact the Office of the Registrar by email, graduation@kean.edu. 

Cap & Gown Orders Status:

• Orders made by Tuesday, March 25, 2025, will be available for pick up at the Kean Ocean Grad Fair on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. 
• Orders made by Friday, March 28, 2025, will be available for pick up at the Union (main campus) Grad Fair on Thursday, May 1, 2025. 
• Orders made online by Sunday, April 13, 2025, will be shipped to your home address provided.

All orders include a cap, gown, hood and tassel. You may also order various specialty tassels and graduation stoles at an additional cost. 

Please note: To obtain your free Kean University stole (standard, not specialty), you have to pick it up at the Grad Fair corresponding to your campus. The standard stoles are not included in shipped orders. 

All graduates for Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025 for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs can schedule a portrait sitting appointment for the yearbook. Your portraits can be used for professional networking, job searches, and profile photos! 

COST 
There is NO sitting fee to take your portraits. Upon review of the proofs, you can decide to purchase any photos. 

ATTIRE 
Portraits will be taken in Business Attire as you come dressed, and this pose will be used for the yearbook. Cap and Gown attire will be provided for a second pose. 

SPRING 2025

KEAN UNION CAMPUS  
This is the last opportunity to take your portraits for the yearbook. There will not be any additional portraits sessions afterwards.

Location: Kean Union, Miron Student Center (MSC), Room 226

Dates: Kean Union appointments for the following dates: 

• Monday, April 28, 2025 • 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.  

• Tuesday, April 29, 2025 • 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.  

• Wednesday, April 30, 2025 • 12 – 8 p.m. 

• Thursday, May 1, 2025 • 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Location: Grad Fair in Downs Hall)

How to Schedule 
Book the time slot that fits your schedule, make a Kean Union appointment.  

KEAN OCEAN CAMPUS
The Kean Ocean portrait sitting appointments have concluded. All additional appointments will have to be made at the Kean Union campus in April and at the Kean Union Grad Fair.  

Questions? 
If you have already taken your photos and have questions regarding accessing your proofs, please contact Prestige Photography by LifeTouch, Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 1-800-736-4775.

Web Page Updated  4/22/25