FAQ

The deadline to fill out the participation form and walk in the Commencement ceremonies is April 15th.

No, there is no fee for the Commencement Ceremony. If you have paid the Graduation Fee when filing for graduation, the commencement is included. You will only need to purchase your cap and gown at the CSUDH Bookstore.

In order to be eligible to participate in Commencement, students must be a degree candidate for Fall 2019, Spring 2020, or Summer 2020.

The length of each ceremony will depend on the number of participating graduates. It is anticipated that each ceremony will last two hours or less. Out of respect for all participants, graduates must stay throughout the entire ceremony and must remain seated unless otherwise directed by commencement staff.

Yes, we will continue the well-established tradition of having each graduate’s name read while they walk across the stage to receive a congratulatory handshake and get a photograph taken with the president.

Tickets are not required for 2020 Commencement.

Yes, parking will be free in the Campus and Dignity Health Sports Park lots.

Lot #10 (west side of Dignity Health Sports Park) and Lot #6 (east side of Dignity Health Sports Park) are for disabled guests with handicap placards. A drop-off location is available at the Dignity Health Sports Park entrance. Enter through Gate A.

Yes, the Dignity Health Sports Park Tennis Center is completely accessible by wheelchair for guests or graduating students. For graduating students in wheelchairs, staff and/or volunteers will be available to assist them to the appropriate staging area. Please go to the Student disAbility Resource Center tent upon arrival. The university does not offer wheelchairs or reserved seating.

Graduation and Commencement are two different terms. Graduation means actually finishing and completely fulfilling your degree requirements, resulting in a diploma. In other words, graduation is the technical obtainment of credits to receive a degree. Commencement is the symbolic ceremony marking the closing of your academic career, where you receive commendation for your hard work at CSUDH. It is an opportunity for you, your family, friends, and the CSUDH community to celebrate your accomplishment.

Commencement Fair is a one-stop opportunity to fulfill your graduation needs. It will be held on February 24 & 25, 2020. It is held inside the Campus Bookstore. It is strongly encouraged that you attend this event, but it is not mandatory. While at Commencement Fair, students will be able to:

• Receive information about their graduation ceremony
• Pre-order a cap and gown
• Purchase graduation announcements, class rings, diploma frames, and other grad-related items
• Join the Alumni Association
• Learn about and contribute to the Senior Class Gift

You can pre-order your cap and gown during Commencement Fair, but will also have an opportunity to order online through Herff Jones.

Diplomas are not issued at the Commencement exercises. The process of conferring degrees takes approximately four to six weeks, and begins two weeks after grades are submitted at the end of the term.

It is completely acceptable to decorate your cap. Please be respectful when decorating your cap, but have fun. Please note that your graduation gown should not be decorated.

To be recognized with academic honors, you must have a qualifying GPA prior to the semester in which ceremonies are held. If you subsequently improve your GPA, graduation honors will be posted on the official record and diploma. You will not, however, be able to acquire an honor cord for the Commencement ceremonies. Graduate students are not eligible for honors. To find out if you are receiving academic honors or to purchase an honors cord, please check with the University Bookstore at (310) 243-3829.

If you applied for graduation prior to the April 15 deadline, your name will be printed in the Commencement program booklet.

Unfortunately, you cannot walk in both departments. You will need to choose which major you want to walk with at the ceremony. You will walk across the stage when the major you choose is called.