Graduation
Congratulations, Class of 2026!
Rutgers School of Public Health Convocation
Convocation is the Rutgers School of Public Health’s annual graduation ceremony. All graduates from the Class of 2026 are invited to join us in person at the State Theater New Jersey in New Brunswick, New Jersey, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.
During this special ceremony, graduates will hear their name called, walk across the stage in front of their invited guests, and have their photo taken by a professional photographer. All Rutgers School of Public Health graduates from the Class of 2026 (October 2025, January 2026 and expected May 2026) are eligible to attend.
- Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026
- Graduates Arrive By: 1:30 p.m.
- Ceremony Start Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Doors open for guests at 2:30 p.m.
- Location: State Theater New Jersey (15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901)
- YouTube Livestream Link: Coming Soon!
Graduating students are required to complete the "2026 Rutgers School of Public Health Convocation Registration" by March 31, 2026 to attend the 2026 Convocation!
For questions about Convocation, contact graduation@sph.rutgers.edu.
Please be reminded that this event is taking place to celebrate the culmination of our students’ hard work and earned degrees. It is a momentous event for our many graduates and their guests, activities that disrupt the ceremony will not be tolerated.
Attire/Regalia
Class of 2026 graduates who plan to participate in the school’s Convocation and/or university Commencement must wear academic regalia, which needs to be purchased from Oak Hall. Those in the Armed Forces must also wear academic regalia - military uniforms may be worn underneath academic gowns.
Graduates can purchase regalia from Oak Hall here.
Below are the deadlines to order regalia from Oak Hall:
- Early bird discount ends: February 28, 2026
- Last day to order: March 31, 2026
Graduates who do not purchase their regalia from Oak Hall by the deadline acknowledge that they will not receive regalia from Rutgers University and will be required to purchase their own regalia for the 2026 Convocation and/or university Commencement. Rutgers University and the Rutgers School of Public Health are not responsible for finding appropriate alternatives. Students who do not have regalia will not be able to participate in Convocation or Commencement.
Tickets (Required)
Tickets are required.
Graduates must complete the "2026 Rutgers School of Public Health Convocation Registration" in order to receive their tickets. Graduates can receive up to five (5) tickets for their guests (graduates do not need a ticket for themselves). All children, regardless of age, require a ticket to attend.
Additional tickets may be requested via the "2026 Rutgers School of Public Health Convocation Registration." Please note additional tickets are not guaranteed. If additional tickets are available, graduates requesting additional tickets will be contacted starting in early April.
Graduation Application
Students who anticipate completing their degree program in the current graduation year must complete a Graduation Application. The due dates for the application are as follows for each semester:
- Graduating at the end of Summer 2025 semester?
Application due August 1 and degree will be dated October 1. - Graduating at the end of Fall 2025 semester?
Application due November 1 and degree will be dated January 19. - Graduating at the end of Spring 2026 semester?
Application due February 15 and degree will be dated May 17.
Graduate Exit Survey
Complete the 2026 Graduate Exit Survey
The Rutgers School of Public Health Graduate Exit Survey provides you an opportunity to reflect on your experience as a student and let us know how you feel the degree you obtained here has prepared you for your future professional and academic career.
Your responses for this survey will be anonymous, but you will have an option to complete a follow-up non-anonymous component to inform us how you would like to remain engaged with the School as an alumnus and enter for a chance to win one of three exclusive Rutgers School of Public Health swag bundles!
Convocation FAQ
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When participating in Convocation, you may prefer to keep your personal belongings to a minimum, as you’ll need to carry them when walking across the stage and being recognized. We recommend only bringing the essentials, like your phone, keys, wallet, medication, and anything you may need during your time at State Theater New Jersey and the two-hour ceremony.
State Theatre Event Policy
All bags will be checked by security upon arrival at the front doors. Guests will be directed to coat check any item not permitted in the theater for a nominal fee (CASH ONLY). Guests are welcome to return items to their cars.
Items that will need to be coat checked include:
- Oversized bags
- Strollers
- Outside food and drinks, except for milk or formula for infants
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Street, meter, and municipal parking is available near the venue with Morris and Church Street Deck being the closest. You can see municipal parking lot and deck options here and street parking options here. Please note: there are no Rutgers sponsored or managed parking lots near the State Theater New Jersey, so graduates and guests must plan ahead and identify their own parking options.
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Wheelchair-Accessible Space:
If you and/or your guest require a wheelchair-accessible space, you must submit this request via the "2026 Rutgers School of Public Health Convocation Registration."
Please note that a limited number of wheelchair-accessible seats are available for guests. Graduates who request this accommodation will receive additional information and next steps directly.
Other Accommodations:
- Guests who require assistance to their seats (using a cane, walker, or having difficulty walking) must arrive at the venue no later than 2:15 p.m. to be escorted into the theatre by staff ushers. Graduate arrival is 1:30 p.m., which will provide adequate time to assist you to your seat if needed.
- Assisted listening devices are available upon request on the day of the event.
If you have any questions regarding accommodations, please contact graduation@sph.rutgers.edu.
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Tickets are required.
Graduates must complete the "2026 Rutgers School of Public Health Convocation Registration" in order to receive their tickets. Graduates can receive up to five (5) tickets for their guests (graduates do not need a ticket for themselves). All children, regardless of age, require a ticket to attend.
Additional tickets may be requested via the "2026 Rutgers School of Public Health Convocation Registration." Please note that additional tickets are not guaranteed. If additional tickets are available, graduates requesting additional tickets will be contacted starting in early April.
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Strollers must be checked at the door for a fee. All children, regardless of age, require a ticket to attend.
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A professional photographer will be present at Convocation and will take two (2) photos of each graduate: (1) a photo with Rutgers School of Public Health Dean Perry N. Halkitis after crossing the stage, and (2) an individual photo after stepping off the stage.
No additional photography, family photos, or off-site photo sessions will be provided.
Commencement and Other Events
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Join the Rutgers University’s 260th Anniversary Commencement (aka Rutgers University – New Brunswick and Rutgers Health Commencement) on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at SHI Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey. President William F. Tate IV will address the degree candidates and guests and confer degrees. The Rutgers University - New Brunswick and Rutgers Health Commencement is only open to the Class of 2026 (October 2025, January 2026, May 2026). We encourage people to attend and represent our school and students. Those participating in the Commencement ceremony will need to wear academic regalia (see above, “attire”).
TICKETS ARE REQUIRED for Commencement. Commencement tickets are separate from Rutgers School of Public Health's Convocation tickets, and neither grants access to the other. Graduates should visit the Rutgers University Commencement page for ticketing and parking details (link coming soon) and other attendance information.
Members of the Rutgers Community, please be reminded that this University event is taking place to celebrate the culmination of our students’ hard work and earned degrees. It is a momentous event for our many graduates and their guests, activities that disrupt the ceremony will not be tolerated.
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SAVE THE DATES
- Rainbow Graduation - TBD
- Rites of Passage - Tuesday, May 12th, 2026
Information about Rainbow Graduation, Rites of Passage, and other celebrations and ceremonies (open to all graduating students) is available at this link: https://commencement.rutgers.edu/celebrations.
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Commencement is the Rutgers University-wide graduation ceremony. Convocation is the Rutgers School of Public Health’s own graduation ceremony, where graduates are individually recognized for their achievements.