Doctoral Hooding Ceremony

Doctoral hooding is a ceremonial tradition that recognizes the completion of a doctoral degree, where a faculty member places a hood over the graduate to symbolize scholarly achievement and transition into the professional community.

Doctoral Hooding Ceremony Schedule

Date: Tuesday, May 19

Start time: 3:30 p.m.

Location: SECU Arena

The Doctoral Hooding ceremony will be approximately 1 hour with a light reception on the 2nd level concourse followed by the event. A livestream of the Doctoral Hooding Commencement ceremony will be available on the day of the ceremony. Ceremony recordings will also be posted on this page once they are made available.

Graduates

The graduate checklist offers a step-by-step guide for preparing for your special day, and you can download the TU Events Guide for event notifications and the ability to ask questions leading up to ceremony day.

We ask all graduates to arrive about an 1 hour prior (arrive 2:15 - 2:30 p.m.) to the ceremony. You will park in Lot 8 and enter the arena through Gate 1. Once inside the arena there will be signs and volunteers guiding all graduates into the Graduate Robing Room (Room 223). 

You can bring small bags (4.5 by 6 inches or smaller) into the room; leave all other items (including coats, umbrellas and extra shoes) at home or with loved ones. For full bag policy details and a list of permitted and prohibited items, visit our Commencement Ceremony Details page.

Guests

We're so excited to welcome you to TU. Make sure to have your tickets ready and give yourself plenty of time to get to SECU Arena. You'll park in Lot 8 and enter the arena through Gate 1. Upon arrival you will be directed to your seat on the main floor in the arena.

All guests entering the arena will need a ticket. This applies to children of all ages, including infants in carriers. Only mobile tickets are accepted. Forged, printed or photocopied tickets will not be honored. Screenshots of the ticket barcode will not scan at the door. Support for accessing tickets is available inside the entrance at Gate 1.

For full details on bag guidelines, permitted items, and security screening, visit our Commencement Ceremony Details page.

Parking 

Parking permits will not be needed for the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony.

All guests and graduates will be directed to park in Lot 8 for the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony.

Security Screening

All ceremony participants are subject to security screening at the building entrance. To help ensure a safe and welcoming environment at our largest campus events, Towson University is implementing updated event security procedures. These enhancements include the use of magnetometers (walk-through metal detectors) and clear bag guidelines. Please view the Magnetometers and Clear Bag Policy.

Stage Party Arrival and Faculty 

Please arrive by 2:30 p.m. at the SECU Arena

  • Faculty will be directed to SECU Arena Multipurpose Room (Room 305)
  • Stage Party will be directed to the Hospitality Room (Room 314)
  • Stage Party members are to park in Lot 7.
  • Faculty are to park in Lot 4 or 6.

Emergency Resources

  • Contact University Police (410-704-4444) or 911. Provide the coordinates of the SECU Arena when giving your location (39.38980, -76.61565). 
  • First Aid stations will be available
  • If you see a lost child, ask them if they know their parent’s phone number and call the family if so. If not, stay in place with the child and have the nearest TU events person radio the TU police.

Post-Event Celebrations and Keepsakes

Reception

Once the ceremony ends, there will be a reception for all doctoral graduates and guests on the concourse (2nd floor of SECU Arena). Please complete this form to RSVP and request accommodations.

Keepsakes

You can access:

Graduates will receive an email when the ceremony images and videos are available.

Graduates who ordered commemorative programs during Commencement registration will receive them within 4 to 6 weeks of the ceremony date. Questions regarding Commencement programs may be directed to .