Independence Day
Our administrative offices will reopen on Monday, July 6, 2026. More Details
Commencement Week Ceremonies
Find the official schedule for all Commencement Week ceremonies, including times, locations, and broadcast details for those viewing remotely.
59th Annual Commencement Ceremony
Thursday, May 21
(2 ceremonies)
RWJBarnabas Health Arena
4:00 p.m. – We celebrate the high school students who will earn their degree, and the students earning an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) or Associate in Arts (AA) degree.
7:00 p.m. – We celebrate students earning the Associate in Science (AS) degree.
Both ceremonies will be held at the RWJBarnabas Health Arena.
For questions, please contact the Office of Student Life at 732-255-0348.
Nurses Pinning Ceremony
Awards Ceremony
TV Schedule
2026 Commencement Broadcast Schedule
Tuesday, May 19:
- 6:00 PM: Awards Ceremony
Wednesday, May 20:
- 5:00 PM: Nurses Pinning
- 7:00 PM: Awards Ceremony (Re-air)
Thursday, May 21:
- 4:00 PM: Commencement – Part 1
- 7:00 PM: Commencement – Part 2
- 9:00 PM: Awards Ceremony (Re-air)
- 10:00 PM: Nurses Pinning (Re-air)
Friday, May 22:
- 7:00 PM: Awards Ceremony (Re-air)
- 8:00 PM: Nurses Pinning (Re-air)
Saturday, May 23:
- 7:00 PM: Nurses Pinning (Re-air)
- 8:00 PM: Awards Ceremony (Re-air)
- 9:00 PM – 11:30 PM: Commencement (Full Re-air)
Sunday, May 24:
- 9:30 PM – 11:30 PM: Commencement (Full Re-air)
- 7:30 PM: Nurses Pinning (Re-air)
- 8:30 PM: Awards Ceremony (Re-air)
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.
Join us for GRAD FEST!
Grad Fest is a weeklong event to celebrate this year’s graduates and to help students prepare for commencement!
MAY 11-15, 2026
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Student Center Box Office
- Pick up Commencement Tickets
- Receive Honor Society Regalia
- Take Pictures at the Selfie Station
- Decorate your Graduation Caps
- Enjoy some Sweet Treats and more!
To ensure a pleasant experience for our graduates and their guests, each graduate will be given 3 tickets for their designated commencement ceremony at the RWJ Barnabas Health Arena.
All graduates MUST pick up their commencement tickets at Grad Fest. Guest tickets not picked up at the Grad Fests will not be available on the day of graduation. There is no will-call available for the commencement ceremonies.
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.
- 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.
- Pre-order your cap and gown
Special Regalia Items
Students can pick up the following special regalia items at the student center box office in building #8 from Monday, May 11 – Friday, May 15 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
- Honor by Contract students who complete the program are eligible for a tassel and stole.
- NJ Stars students are eligible to receive a pin.
- LAE & SKD Honor Society members are eligible to receive a pin.
- Psi Beta members are eligible to receive a cord and a pin.
- DAPi Honor Society members are eligible to receive a cord and a pin.
Students with a final grade point average of 3.5 or higher are eligible for gold tassels. Students can check their OC accounts to learn their final GPA. Tassels will be distributed at commencement check-in.
Please contact Student Life at 732-255-0348 with any questions about special regalia items.
- 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.
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
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
Guest Policies at Ocean County College
- 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.
Guest Policies at the Arena
- Guests attending the Commencement Ceremony at RWJBarnabas Health Arena are required to follow all arena policies and guidelines.
- Please note that the Arena enforces its own security regulations, including restrictions on bags, outside food and beverages, and other prohibited items.
- For a full list of policies and prohibited items, please visit the RWJBarnabas Health Arena Policies page.
Handicapped Access
Students participating in the Awards 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 2 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.
For viewing policies at RWJBarnabas Health Arena, please visit their official website.
Ticket Information
Important Information Regarding Tickets:
- Graduates do not need a ticket.
- Each graduate will receive three (3) tickets for guest seating.
- Guest with tickets may enter the Arena beginning one hour prior to the start of the ceremony.
- Tickets are specific to each ceremony.
- A ticket is required for every individual occupying a seat, regardless of age.
- Seating is general admission and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Graduates and guests enter the Arena at different locations.
- Tickets cannot be replaced, reissued, or duplicated.
All graduates MUST pick up their commencement tickets at Grad Fest. Guest tickets not picked up at the Grad Fests will not be available on the day of graduation. There is no will-call available for the commencement ceremonies.
Congratulations to the Class of 2026! Below are a few FAQs to help you prepare for the big event:
FAQs
Graduates should arrive 1 hour before their assigned commencement ceremony. Graduates will assemble in a designated Gymnasium area at the Arena. Please follow signage upon arrival.
Approximately 1 hour!
When you arrive, OCC staff will direct you to a check-in table in the designated Gymnasium at the Arena. You will check in with your last name by degree. Don’t worry! People will be there to help you.
Easy! Everyone will be given a yellow card where you will write your name. You can also write it phonetically so that the Professor announcing your name pronounces it correctly. It is important that you bring it up with you when you go up to receive congratulations. It also helps us keep the order of graduates crossing the stage for the photographer!
Yes! Island Photography is our official Commencement Photographer. Island Photography will be providing 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. .
Yes! Students with a final grade point average of 3.5 or higher are eligible for gold tassels. Student Life will receive a list of eligible students on Monday, May 18 so that there is time to calculate this semesters grades. Students can check their OC accounts to learn their final GPA. Tassels will be distributed at commencement check-in.
Students can pick up the following *special* regalia items at the student center box office in building #8 from Monday, May 11 – Friday, May 15 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm.
*Honor by Contract students who complete the program are eligible for a tassel and stole.
*NJ Stars students are eligible to receive a pin.
*Veterans are eligible to receive a cord.
*LAE & SKD Honor Society members are eligible to receive a pin.
*Psi Beta members are eligible to receive a cord and a pin.
*DAPi Honor Society members are eligible to receive a cord and a pin.
PTK members need to order their own regalia on the PTK website.
The student life office in building #8 will have a limited number of caps and gowns available for students who need them. They will be available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please note that caps and gowns will not be available at the commencement ceremony.
Yes! Seating is first-come-first-served and tickets are required. Each graduate will receive 3 tickets for guest seating.
Congratulations 2025 Graduates!
View commencement week ceremony recordings at the following links.