School of Nursing and Allied Health Ceremony Details
Apply to Graduate
If you plan to graduate as part of the Class of 2024, which includes students completing their coursework in Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024, you are required to apply to graduate by March 15, 2024. You must submit the online application to graduate if you have not already done so. Additionally, completing your Graduation Application is how you will receive any/all communications about the Commencement Ceremony. The application process is quick and easy, so please do not delay!
To access the graduation online application, please go to PA College Legacy Portal > Self-Service Home > Graduation Application.
Even if you have already met with your Advisor and are approved to graduate, you must still complete the online graduation application. If you have not yet met or communicated with your Advisor, please do so as soon as possible.
If you are unsure if you will graduate, we encourage you to submit your Graduation Application anyway. If you do not graduate when expected or need to update your graduation date, you can access your completed Graduation Application and edit it with no penalty to you.
Caps & Gowns
Caps and gowns are available for purchase from Jossten’s. You can purchase your regalia through the online store. Graduates must order their regalia by April 12 to ensure they arrive in time for your Commencement ceremony.
Class Rings, Announcements and Diploma Frames
Class rings, graduation announcements and diploma frames are also available for purchase from both Jostens and the University Bookstore.
Graduates can purchase a Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences class ring and/or diploma frame online from Jostens. Please note, that graduates should review the chart below to confirm which diploma they will receive via mail to determine which frame they should purchase.
Graduates can purchase graduation announcements, a Saint Joseph’s University class ring, and diploma frame online. Shipping time for class rings is approximately six to eight weeks. Please note, that graduates should review the chart below to confirm which diploma they will receive via mail to determine which frame they should purchase.
MarchingOrder
Saint Joseph’s University in Lancaster has contracted with MarchingOrder to help deliver a seamless guest ticketing system. Guests of graduates must present tickets to enter the ceremony. Each graduate is allotted six tickets for Commencement to start. Graduates MUST RSVP to attend Commencement and claim their six tickets by filling out the form on this Commencement Ticket website, which opens on Monday, March 18 at 2 p.m. Graduates must claim their six tickets between March 18 and April 5 at 11:55 p.m. Failure to claim your six tickets means that any unclaimed tickets will be collected for redistribution to students needing extras. Small children (4 and under), who will be sitting on an adult's lap, do not require a ticket.
If graduates need more than six tickets, they can note on the initial form that they would like to be notified if/when additional tickets become available. An email will go out to those students about how to claim extra tickets during the second round of ticketing. Extra tickets will be available to graduates who indicated they would need additional tickets during the second round of ticketing that will start on Wednesday, April 10 at 2 p.m. and run until Sunday, April 21 at 11:55 p.m., or until they are all claimed.
NOTE: To access claiming your tickets, you must use your Saint Joseph’s University email address. However, if you graduated in the Fall of 2023 as a Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences graduate, please use the personal email address that you had on file with PA College.
If you don't know which email you had on file or your Saint Joseph’s email address, please email CampusLife@pacollege.edu.
Ceremony Details
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Graduates must arrive no later than 6 p.m. at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square/Lancaster County Convention Center. The downtown area gets quite congested during rush hour, and with this size event – be sure to allow plenty of time to find parking and enter the venue. Graduates are to wear their cap and gown to the Commencement Ceremony. Please press/steam your gown once you remove it from the packaging.
Upon arriving at the Marriott, graduates will be directed where to go and gather by volunteers before the ceremony (and line up for the processional). During this time, you will check in and pick up your Graduate Name Card when entering. There will be lines organized by program to pick up your card. Graduates will complete the Graduate Name Card with their name and contact information. The card will allow them to note the pronunciation of their name. The contact information will be shared with GradImages (our photographer) so that they can reach out to the graduates once the formal pictures taken of them at commencement are ready to be viewed and purchased.
There will not be a secure area at this gathering point to leave personal belongings (e.g., purses, coats, bags, etc.). Please leave these items with one of your guests before the ceremony.
Faculty marshals for the school will lead the procession to the graduate seating area, beginning at approximately 7 p.m. Graduates should process in with their hoods draped over their left arms.
Please visit the Guest section for information on guest arrival and additional information.
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At the appointed time in the program, the Dean will present the degree candidates from the school to the President, who will officially confer degrees on the candidates. Following this conferral, the Dean will instruct the graduates to "don their hoods." This is the time for graduates to put on the hood they have carried with them.
Upon direction from the faculty marshals and staff ushers, graduates will approach the stage for the presentation of degrees. Graduates must have their Graduate Name Card with them at this time. Each name will be read individually. Students should proceed quickly to the stage, shake hands with the President as a photo is taken, receive the diploma holder and pin, exit at the opposite end of the stage, and then take a second photo before returning back to their seats.
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Following the benediction, the stage party and faculty will lead the academic procession to conclude the ceremony. Graduates and guests are asked to remain seated until the stage party has fully excited, which will signal the conclusion of the commencement ceremony.
Diplomas
Approximately six weeks after Commencement, you will receive your diploma and a translation through the mail. It is delivered to the address you selected when you applied to graduate. For purposes of framing, PA College diplomas are 11 inches wide and 8.5 inches high, whereas Saint Joseph’s University diplomas are 20 inches wide and 16 inches high. Graduates should review the chart below to confirm which diploma they will receive via mail.
Why is the date on my diploma different than my commencement date (doctoral degrees only)?
All students who graduate in a given term are awarded on the same date. The date on the graduation application, and ultimately, the date on your diploma and transcript, reflect the date in which your degree is awarded and not necessarily the date of your specific ceremony.
Which University will be on my diploma when I graduate?
All students will receive a Saint Joseph’s diploma after August 30, 2024. PA College will no longer be accredited after that date and, therefore, cannot issue diplomas. As is the practice at both Universities, the college or school will also appear on the diploma.
For students graduating from PA College legacy programs over the course of the 2023-2024 Academic Year, the schedule is as follows:
Graduation Application Due | Degree Conferral | Diploma | Programs |
April 1, 2024 | May 18, 2024 | PA College | All |
August 1, 2024 | August 31, 2024 | Saint Joseph’s | All |
December 1, 2024 | January 15, 2025 | Saint Joseph’s | All |
January 2025 and after | January 2025 and after | Saint Joseph’s | All |
Additionally, after August 30, 2024, diplomas will be in Latin. Please review this knowledgebase article for more information.
Photography
Professional photos will be taken during the Commencement ceremony by GradImages and will be available for purchase online a few weeks after the ceremony (www.gradimages.com).
Guest Information
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All guests attending the ceremony are required to present a ticket for entry. Tickets can be given as a printed copy or presented on a mobile device. Be sure you have shared your graduation tickets with your family before the event. Small children (4 and under), who will be sitting on an adult's lap, do not require a ticket.
Please note that doors close at 6:55 p.m. and all guests must be seated. Any guests arriving after 6:55 p.m. will be asked to wait in the concourse until the processional is complete and graduates are seated.
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We prohibit bringing in any, but not limited to, of the following items:
- Noisemakers
- Laser pointers
- Blow horns
- Balloons
- Large signs
- Any other distracting noise-making device that could interfere with the integrity of the event.
Additionally, large bags should not be brought into the venue (unless it is a diaper bag or needed for a medical reason). Coolers, glass beverage containers, weapons of any kind, large signs that could block the view of others, etc., should be left in the guests' car.
Those who try to bring these items in will be asked to return them to their car. Graduates have all worked hard to achieve this accomplishment, and we want to make sure that every student's guests are able to see their graduate walk across the stage and hear their name as it is called.
Lastly, we ask that guests and graduates refrain from standing on chairs or rushing the stage area to try to get a picture; we have hired professional photographers for that purpose.
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For a complete list of garages and lots in the area, please visit the Lancaster Parking Authority website. The closest parking garage to the event location is Penn Square Garage (25-51 East Vine Street), Steinman Park Garage (35 S Prince Street), Mifflin Street Lot (146 East Mifflin Street), E. King Street Garage (150 East King Street), or Prince Street Garage (111 N. Prince Street). On-street parking is also available and is monitored by the Lancaster Parking Authority. For more information, visit their website here, which lists rates, operating hours, and acceptable payments. Please note that parking in Lancaster City does fill up quickly, so make sure to allow yourself enough time to find a place to park.
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Lancaster offers a number of lodging options for guests new to the area to choose from.
Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square
25 South Queen Street
Lancaster, PA 17603
717-239-1600Holiday Inn Lancaster
26 E Chestnut St.
Lancaster, PA 17602
717-394-0900Hampton Inn Lancaster
545 Greenfield Rd
Lancaster, PA 17601
717-299-1200Comfort Suites Manheim - Lancaster
543 Champ Blvd
Manheim, PA 17545
717-898-2926Tru by Hilton Lancaster East
2320 Lincoln Highway East
Lancaster, PA 17601
717-399-3100If you have specific questions about accommodations, please contact the hotel you are interested directly.
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Seating will be available for those guests requiring special accommodations. Graduates are able to note if they or their guest(s) require any type of seating accommodation when they RSVP and claim their guest tickets through the MarchingOrder website. Questions regarding this can be directed to campuslife@pacollege.edu.