Ashley will be making another giant, fun, wonderful slideshow this year to celebrate YOU!  We already have all of the Department production photos on file, but please feel free to upload your favorite theatre memories, candid photos, group shots, and student group events to the photo albums linked below.  Senior Slideshow photo submissions will be open through Friday, April 24, 2026 so Ashley has time to put it all together for you by the Theatre Department Awards Ceremony on Monday, May 4. 

Photo Album Links:

• Candids & Group Shots

• ACTF/USITT/Study Abroad Trips

• Student Theatre Ensemble Events and Candids

• Urban Art Theatre Events and Candids

• Yes Andys Events and Candids

Hello seniors! 

Just a friendly reminder that all students who intend to graduate this spring have to apply for graduation by March 15.

Please note: It is VERY helpful to apply for graduation as soon as possible in the fall, so the Navigation Center has time to review your Degree Tracker and let you know if you’re missing anything. The earlier you apply for graduation, the more time you have to adjust your spring schedule, request Directed Studies, and do whatever you need to be all set to graduate. If you wait until March, you may not get approval or notice of any issues until late April/early May—yikes!

Here is all the information you need to know:

Information about Graduation: 

https://www.salemstate.edu/campus-life/student-navigation-center/registrar/graduation 

How to Apply for Graduation: 

1. Log into Navigator. 

2. On the Student Homepage, click on "Academic Progress".

3. On the menu on the left-hand side of the screen, click on "Apply for Graduation".

4. To the right of "Academic Program", click on your program.

  NOTE: If you have a double major, you may only choose one program as your primary graduation program. Choosing your second major as your primary graduation program may impact your graduation requirements, so choose your program carefully.

5. In the drop down menu provided next to "Expected Completion Term", select the term that you expect to graduate.

 NOTE: If you are anticipating graduating in the summer, but wish to walk in the spring, input your "Expected Completion Term" as the summer term. Later in the application you will be able to indicate that you would like to attend commencement in the spring.

6. Read the Graduation Instructions, then select the "Continue" button.

7. Input your first, middle (optional), and last name in the corresponding boxes. Please note that how you write your name here is how it will be displayed on your diploma.

8. Under the heading "Event Attendance Information", indicate which commencement you will be attending by clicking the radio button next to the commencement and commencement year listed. Next, indicate whether you will be attending commencement or not by clicking the radio button next to "Will Attend" or "Will Not Attend", then click "Continue".

9. Verify that all of the information regarding your Program, Career, Degree, Major, and Expected Completion term are accurate. Then select "Submit Application".

10. When you have successfully completed your application, you will see an on screen confirmation. After 24-hours, you will also receive a confirmation email that your application was successfully completed.

https://ask.salemstate.edu/kb/how-apply-graduation 

Friday, May 15, 2026

3:00pm – 5:00pm

O'Keefe Complex, O'Keefe Campus

225 Canal Street, Salem, MA 01970

Rockett Arena

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Graduate and undergraduate degree candidates, please arrive at 1:30 pm. Doors open to guests with tickets at 2 pm. Visit the commencement webpage for additional information. Bertolon School of Business and College of Arts and Sciences (selected majors) degrees awarded:

• Bachelor of Arts - Art, Dance, Economics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Theatre Arts.

• Bachelor of Liberal Studies - Interdisciplinary Studies, Liberal Studies

• Bachelor of Fine Arts - Theatre Arts

• Bachelor of Science - Computer Science, Economics, Fire Science Administration, Information Technology, Media and Communication, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology

• Bachelor of Science - Business Administration

• Master of Business Administration

• Master of Science - Accounting, Behavior Analysis, Counseling, Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  
  *Students who are pursuing double majors will be asked to designate their primary major when they complete their application for degree and will attend the ceremony for that major.

All candidates participating in commencement exercises must wear proper academic regalia, which is a cap and gown from the SSU bookstore. 

Caps and gowns are provided to students who are eligible to participate in commencement at no additional cost. Students may pick up their cap and gown at the bookstore from Monday, April 13 through Wednesday, May 13, 2026, during store hours, no appointment is needed.

When claiming your cap and gown at the bookstore, please bring with you either a state/federal photo ID or your SSU ClipperCard. Consult the ceremony date and time listing if you need to verify your program or major. There is a charge for shipping regalia from the bookstore, but no charge for the cap and gown. 

The cap and gown is free to eligible graduates. Students receive a credit on their account for the price of cap and gown once they are approved to graduate by the registrar's office. When picking up your cap and gown at the bookstore or ordering it online, enter your student ID at checkout under the space for 'Financial Aid/Scholarship' to apply the credit for your cap and gown and to complete the transaction. The credit will not cover tassels for a minor or any extra souvenir items.

Please contact the bookstore at 978.542.3808 with any questions.

Graduation Portraits
Friday, May 8, 2026
Sophia Gordon Center for the Creative and Performing Arts

Sign-Up Link: 2026 graduates, check your Salem State email for messages as of April 16 from SSU Commencement to access the portrait sign-up link.

In the week before commencement ceremonies, graduates can make an appointment to pose for portraits in their regalia and celebrate safely with guests. Students will be able to cross the theatre stage in their cap and gown and have photos taken by professional photographers. Guests are welcome to attend to photograph the graduate and pose for group photos. 

Choose your time and date to cross the ceremonial stage in cap and gown with your guests in attendance and able to photograph you up close! Sign up with friends or classmates from other programs who may graduate in a different commencement ceremony.

At Graduation Portraits, undergraduate and graduate students will:

• be awarded a special Viking Strong cord to honor your perseverance and resilience;

• choose a friend or family member (or a university official) to announce your name;

• walk across the ceremonial stage in your cap and gown;

• be professionally photographed with family and friends;

• receive a code for a free 5x7 photograph (no purchase necessary)

Students may sign up on a first-come, first-served basis. Appointments for small groups of graduates will be available at 15-minute intervals. Students will be able to choose up to ten guests to accompany them to the Graduate Portrait event. Professional photographers will take photos of students and their guests. Guests are welcome to photograph or video their graduate up close, too. Photographers will send thumbnail proofs of the photos taken to each student. All graduates are able to use a code for a free 5x7 photograph from either the Graduate Portraits event and/or the Commencement ceremony. There is no obligation to order any photos, but there are charges to order additional photos from the photographer. 

Check-in: Graduates and their guests check-in at their appointment time in the Sophia lobby on North Campus.

Caps and Gowns

All candidates participating in Graduate Portraits are encouraged to wear proper academic regalia.

Caps and gowns are provided to students who are eligible to participate in commencement at no additional cost. Students may pick up their cap and gown at the bookstore from April 13, 2026 through May 13, 2026. Please contact the bookstore at 978.542.3808 with any questions.