Master’s Degrees and Graduation Ceremonies

A master’s degree is an academic award given to students who have completed one to two years of college-level study that is at a higher level than bachelor’s coursework. Once a student has been accepted into a master’s degree course of study, he will generally have to complete the required coursework, as well as write a thesis or a conduct graduate research study, depending on the field of study in which he is earning his master’s degree.

After a master’s student has completed the required coursework and has submitted his thesis or research results, he will have to take a series of exams that include:

  • a defense of the thesis
  • an oral exam
  • a written exam.

Depending on the number of students in your graduate class, you will find out your results of these exams anywhere between one and three weeks after taking them. While some colleges and universities mail your results to you, others require you to come to the department to find out whether or not you have passed and will be eligible to walk in the graduation ceremonies.

Master’s Graduation Ceremony

Unlike other graduation ceremonies, the event held for those receiving master’s degrees varies depending on the college. For example, while some colleges hold master’s graduation ceremonies that only include professors, master’s students and associated family, others are combined with undergraduate graduation ceremonies. In general, larger schools tend to combine the graduations of undergraduates and master’s students, as well as PhD students, to save time.

On the other hand, if larger schools don’t have an undergraduate department that correlates with their master’s program, the master’s graduation will be held separately. Examples of these fields of study that colleges tend to offer master’s, but not bachelor’s, degrees in include:

  • creative writing
  • hotel management
  • journalism
  • law
  • publishing
  • teaching.
  • Aside from this, master’s graduation ceremonies generally follow the same agenda as undergraduate graduations:
  • a welcoming statement
  • a speech by a keynote speaker
  • the procession of graduates that includes the distribution of diplomas
  • closing remarks.
However, master’s graduations typically also include a segment in which the Dean or Head of that Department gives a select few master’s graduates awards of excellence, scholarships or otherwise recognizes notable achievements associated with this graduating class.

Special Graduation Gowns for Master’s Graduates

Graduation gowns for master’s students are a bit different than other graduation gowns. In addition to wearing the traditional graduation cap, master’s graduates wear a gown that comes with a hood that hangs off the back of the gown. Hoods for master’s gowns are typically colored in either the school’s colors or in colors associated with the field of study in which the student is earning his or her master’s degree.
 
Similarly, master’s students who graduate with honors or other special distinctions may also wear special tassels on their caps or cords around their necks. Check with your chosen department of study to find out the particular graduation gear that you can and should wear.

Gifts for Master’s Graduates

Choosing a gift for a master’s graduate may seem overwhelming because they aren’t common gifts to give. In general, gifts for master’s students should be similar to what you would give an bachelor’s graduate, albeit a bit more expensive in nature to commemorate the advanced achievement. You may want to consider giving the master’s graduate something that will help him in his future, rather than an heirloom or piece of jewelry to commemorate the moment.

Some ideas for master’s graduate gifts include:

  • a down payment on a new car or condo
  • a paid vacation to his or her destination of choice
  • monetary gifts, such as cash, savings bonds or CD accounts.