Frequently Asked Questions
We hope this list of frequently asked questions will provide you with answers and help you plan for your graduation.
Check back often as information will be regularly updated and added to Providence College’s commencement website.
This page was updated on November 14, 2023.
How do I order my attire?
All seniors are required to order their cap and gown online between November 21, 2023, and March 1, 2024 from www.Herffjones.com/college/graduation. All graduates receive a cap, gown, hood, and tassel with their order. Please note, the attire order has already been paid for by your graduation fees.
Additional items that are available for purchase, such as the Stole of Gratitude, may be made on the Herff Jones website. The Stole of Gratitude offers an opportunity for graduates to thank people who have helped them in their educational journey. The stole is worn by the student during the commencement ceremony. After the ceremony, the new graduate presents the Stole of Gratitude to a person who provided support and turned a dream into reality.
When do students order and receive their cap and gowns?
Cap & Gown Day will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, in Slavin Center, ’64 Hall from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Seniors will pick up their pre-ordered cap, gown, and honors cord (if applicable). Please bring your PC ID.
Indebtedness to the College: What if there are unpaid bills?
Any student with an unpaid balance as of April 5, 2024, will not be able to receive their cap and gown, or tickets to the Commencement exercises, until the balance is paid in full. Account balances may be viewed online using your Cyberfriar login or by calling the Student Accounts office at 401.865.2284.
What type of undergraduate degree am I receiving: Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science?
You are receiving a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree if you majored in one of the following programs:
Bachelor of Arts
• American Studies
• Art History
• Biology
• Biology/Optometry
• Biology/Secondary Education
• Black Studies
• Business Economics
• Catholic Studies
• Chemistry
• Chemistry/Secondary Education
• Classics
• Creative Writing
• Economics
• Elementary/Special Education
• English
• English/Secondary Education
• Global Studies
• History
• History/Secondary Education
• Humanities
• Liberal Arts
• Liturgical Music
• Mathematics
• Mathematics/Secondary Education
• Music
• Music Education
• Music Technology and Production
• Music: Musical Theatre Concentration
• Philosophy
• Physics/Secondary Education
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Public and Community Service Studies
• Social Science
• Social Work
• Sociology
• Studio Art
• Theatre
• Theatre: Musical Theatre Concentration
• Theology
• Women’s and Gender Studies
• World Languages and Cultures (Options: French, Italian, or Spanish)
• World Languages and Cultures/Secondary Education (Options: French/Secondary Education, Italian/Secondary Education, or Spanish/Secondary Education)
You are receiving a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree if you majored in one of the following programs:
Bachelor of Science
• Accountancy
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Biology/Optometry
• Biology/Secondary Education
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Environmental Biology
• Finance
• Health Policy and Management
• Health Sciences (available to students in Fall 2023)
• Management
• Marketing
• Mathematics
• Neuroscience
• Physics
• Pre-Engineering
• Quantitative Economics
A full list can be found here: https://catalog.providence.edu/content.php?catoid=34&navoid=1259
How will I know about graduation honors, class rank, and any other academic awards (undergraduates only)?
The Office of the Registrar will notify recipients of ceremonial (7 semesters) graduation honors – summa, magna, and cum laude honors, class rank, and other academic awards. Final graduation honors will include grading from all semesters of study at PC and will appear on the graduate’s official transcript.
What about undergraduate senior activities?
The Student Affairs Office is actively working with the Senior Core Commencement planning team to develop senior activities. Questions should be directed to the Student Activities-Involvement-Leadership (SAIL), 401.865.2211.
If you have questions, please email activities@providence.edu.
December 2024 Graduation Candidates
December 2024 candidates are included in all aspects of the May 2024 commencement. Candidates for December 2024 graduation participate in the May 2024 graduation ceremonies. December candidates will be included in the official commencement program, where they will be recognized as December 2024 graduation candidates. All December 2024 candidates will have their names read at the ceremony and will be eligible to walk on stage with the other graduates.
Academic Attire During Commencement Events
When do I wear my academic attire?
At Commencement Mass, graduates should carry their caps and gowns with them. During Mass, all students will be vested and don their attire for the first time. At the commencement ceremonies, undergraduates should wear their cap and gown; the tassel should hang from the front, right-hand side. The academic hood is placed over your head, around your neck, draped over your shoulders. The honors cord, if applicable, goes over the gown with the knot at back of neck.
Graduate programs and SCE candidates should wear their cap and gown; the tassel should hang from the front, right-hand side. You will carry your academic hood. During the ceremony you will place the hood over your head, around your neck, draping over shoulders. For SCE students, the honors cord, if applicable, goes over the gown with the knot at back of neck.
Please see this helpful link for a video that shows the proper way to wear your cap and gown and hood.
I am graduating with honors. How do I obtain my honor cords?
Students receiving honors, that were notified by the Registrar, will be able to obtain their honor cords (summa, magna, and cum laude honors) at Cap and Gown Day. Students with an unpaid balance may not be able to receive their cords until the balance is paid in full. Account balances may be viewed online using your CyberFriar login or by calling the Student Accounts office at 401.865.2284.
https://bursar.providence.edu/ or https://bursar.providence.edu/student-loans/
Recycle your cap & gown
General Information for Commencement Weekend Planning
Restaurant Reservations
We suggest Sunday dinner reservations after 2:00 p.m. to allow time to exit the ceremony. For more information, visit the Providence Warwick Convention and Visitor’s Bureau at http://www.goprovidence.com/
What about hotel reservations?
Hotel information is available on either of these sites:
Important phone numbers you may need for questions related to:
Commencement Weekend
College Events, Office of College Event Management and Planning
401.865.2344 or colevents@providence.edu
Office of the Registrar
Harkins Hall 310
401.865.1033 or records@providence.edu
Bookstore Items
Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Providence College
401.865.2181 or pcbook@providence.edu
Amica Mutual Pavilion
1 LaSalle Square, Providence, RI 02903
401.331.0700 or https://www.amicamutualpavilion.com/
Financial Obligations
Office of Student Accounts
401.865.2284
Herff Jones
Customer Service 1.800.837.4235 or www.Herffjones.com/college/graduation
Highway Construction
R.I. Department of Transportation
401.222.2450 or www.dot.ri.gov
On-Campus Housing
Office of Residence Life
401.865.2392
Photography – Commencement Day
GradImages
1.800.261.2576 or www.gradimages.com
Safety and Security at Providence College
The Office of Safety and Security
401.865.2391
Senior Week Activities
Student Activities-Involvement-Leadership (SAIL)
401.865.2211
Veritas Yearbook
401.865.2605
Media and Publications – Student Activities at Providence College
For updates and current information on Providence College’s 2024 Commencement weekend, check the website: https://commencement.providence.edu
