What is a hooding ceremony?

A hooding ceremony is a significant event in higher education, particularly for those graduating with a doctoral or master's degree. It's distinct from the general commencement ceremony.

• Purpose: It symbolizes the conferral of academic degrees and recognizes the graduate's successful completion of their advanced studies.
• The Hood: The central element is the presentation and placement of the academic hood over the graduate's head. The hood's colors represent the university and the specific discipline of study.
• Who Participates: Typically, faculty members from the graduate's department or program participate. Often, the faculty advisor places the hood on the graduate.
• Significance: It represents the graduate's acceptance into the community of scholars within their field. It's a more intimate and personalized ceremony compared to the larger university-wide commencement.
• Timing: Hooding ceremonies usually take place before the general commencement ceremony, often on the same day or a day or two prior.
• Order of Events: The ceremony generally involves a procession of graduates and faculty, opening remarks, the individual hooding of graduates, and closing remarks. Sometimes, there are speeches or presentations by distinguished faculty or alumni.
• Format: The format and specific traditions can vary greatly from one university to another.