• Commencement Ceremony Postponed


    Due to the forecast of inclement weather, Ocean County College’s Commencement Ceremony has been postponed to Thursday, May 22, at 10:00 a.m. The ceremony has also been moved indoors to the Gym (Bldg. #29) and due to space constraints will be limited to graduates only.

    Additional information

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Group of Nursing Students at Commencement

58th Annual Commencement Ceremony

Graduation

Commencement Ceremony Postponed

Due to the forecast of inclement weather, Ocean County College’s 58th Commencement Ceremony has been postponed and will now take place on Thursday, May 22, at 10:00 a.m.  The ceremony has also been moved indoors to the HPE Gymnasium (Building #29) and due to space constraints will be limited to graduates only.

Family and friends are invited to watch the ceremony via livestream.

  • Doors to the Gymnasium will open at 9:00 a.m.
  • Graduates should arrive in full regalia and will be guided to their seats.
  • All graduates must be seated by 9:45 a.m.

For questions, please contact the Office of Student Life at 732-255-0348.

Thank you for understanding and support as we celebrate this important milestone.

Congratulations Graduates!

May marks graduation time at Ocean County College. Find Ceremony Times & Dates, Order your Cap & Gown, Where to pick up your Special Regalia Items, Venue information for guests & More!

Looking to Apply for Graduation? view our Graduate Information page for all graduation deadlines, transcript requests, and diploma information to make sure you’re on track for graduation!

Cap and Gown Orders

  • For verification purposes, please enter your OCC student email address and your full name (as shown on your student ID) on the shipping address at checkout.
  • Before check out, please enter the graduation promo code (see below). After entering the promo code, you will NOT need to pay for this order.
  • Each student must place their own order under the student’s name. Please do not include more than one set of caps and gowns in your order.
  • Students ordering caps and gowns use the code OCC2025 to apply the 100% off shipping discount code.
  • All cap and gown orders must be submitted by May 9th, 2025
Order Your Cap and Gown
woman in graduation cap and gown.

Special Regalia Items

Honor Societies

  • Students with a final grade point average of 3.5 or higher are eligible for gold tassels.
  • NJStars students are eligible to receive a pin.
  • Honors by Contract students who complete the program are eligible for a tassel and stole.
  • Psi Beta, Psychology Honor Society members are eligible to receive a cord.
  • Sigma Kappa Delta, English Honor Society members, are eligible to receive a pin.

Pick up during Commencement Week
Monday and Tuesday
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Student Center – Information Desk (first floor)

Please contact Student Life at 732-255-0348 with any questions about special regalia items.

Veterans

  • All eligible graduating student veterans will be entitled to wear a branch specific stole as part of their graduation regalia provided and distributed by the VMRC.
  • Any veterans who are members of the SALUTE honor society will also be entitled to an honor cord to wear at graduation.
National Honor Societies Tassels

Commencement Week Ceremonies Dates and Time

Find the official schedule for all Commencement Week ceremonies, including times, locations, and broadcast details for those viewing remotely.

58th Annual Commencement Ceremony
Nurses Pinning Ceremony
Awards Ceremony
TV Schedule

58th Annual Commencement Ceremony

Wednesday, May 21
4:00 p.m.
Gateway Building Lawn

  • There is no rehearsal, please arrive on time so you know what to do for the ceremony.
  • Graduates must arrive at OCC by 3 p.m. The recommended parking lot is Lot #3
  • Graduates will assemble outside the Hovnanian Health Sciences Building (#102). Graduates who arrive late will enter the procession at the end of the line.

Watch the Commencement Ceremony Live

Inclement Weather

In the event of severe weather conditions, Commencement will be moved to Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 10 a.m.

The decision to move the ceremony will be made by 12 noon on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, and will be announced on the College website, Ocean TV20, or by calling 732-255-0400 for a recorded message.

Students posing at the camera during commencement

Nurses Pinning Ceremony

Tuesday, May 20
5:00 p.m.
Gateway Building Lawn

Watch the Nurses Pinning Ceremony Live

Inclement Weather

Students and guests will report to the HPE Gymnasium on Tuesday, May 20, for the 5:00 p.m. ceremony.

The decision to move the Nurses’ Pinning Ceremony due to inclement weather will be made by noon on Monday, May 19, and will be announced on the College website (ocean.edu) and Ocean TV20.

Awards Ceremony

Tuesday, May 20
7:00 p.m.
Gateway Building Lecture Hall

Watch the Awards Ceremony Live

TV Schedule

2025 Commencement Broadcast Schedule

Ocean County College’s ceremonies will be broadcast live on Ocean.edu and Ocean TV 20 via Comcast Channel 20 and Verizon FiOS of Northern Ocean County Channel 24.

Nurses Pinning Ceremony

  • Tuesday, May 20 – 5:00 p.m. – Watch the Nurses Pinning Ceremony Live
  • Wednesday, May 21 – 7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 22 – 8:30 p.m.
  • Friday, May 23 – 8:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 24 – 7:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 25 – 7:30 p.m.
  • Monday, May 26 – 7:30 p.m.

Awards Ceremony

  • Tuesday, May 20 – 7:00 p.m. – Watch the Awards Ceremony Live
  • Wednesday, May 21 – 8:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 22 – 9:30 p.m.
  • Friday, May 23 – 9:30 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 24 – 8:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 25 – 8:30 p.m.
  • Monday, May 26 – 8:30 p.m.

Commencement Ceremony

  • Wednesday, May 21 – 4:00 p.m. – Watch Commencement Live
  • Thursday, May 22 – 11:00 a.m.
  • Thursday, May 22 – 7:00 p.m.
  • Friday, May 23 – 7:00 p.m.
  • Saturday, May 24 – 9:00 p.m.
  • Sunday, May 25 – 9:30 p.m.
  • Monday, May 26 – 9:30 p.m.

Guest Information

This section provides important details to help guests prepare for Commencement. Learn about on-site photography services, safety and security guidelines, seating policies, and accessibility accommodations. We encourage all attendees to review this information in advance to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Photography
Guests
Handicapped Access

Photography

OCC Graduation Social Media

Family and friends may take pictures at the ceremony from their seats.

Island Photography is our official Commencement Photographer for 2025.

  • They will provide professional photo coverage for every graduate as they are recognized during the ceremony.
  •  Proofs will be delivered via email within 48-72 hours after the ceremony.

Please contact their customer service team at custserv@islandphoto.com  or  800-869-0908  if you have any concerns or questions.

Guests

  • Guests must arrive by 4:00 p.m., but no earlier than 2:30 p.m.
  • Guests are not permitted to save seats.
  • There is no limit on the number of guests. Tickets are not required.
  • Strict Security Regulations will be followed. ALL umbrellas, backpacks, and large bags are prohibited from campus during the Commencement Ceremony. All other bags will be subject to search.
View our list of Approved/Prohibited Items

Handicapped Access

Gateway Building

Students participating in the Commencement Ceremony who require special accommodations should contact Student Life at studentlife@ocean.edu at least three days before the ceremony.

A section of Parking Lot 4 is designated for Handicapped Parking on a first-come, first-served basis. A state-issued Handicapped Parking Pass is required.

Please use our up-to-date Campus Map for directions for parking and accessible walkways on campus.