​Commencement FAQs

For information on ordering your cap and gown for the commencement ceremony, please see the Commencement Checklist.

No, tickets are not required for the USD School of Law commencement ceremony. Family and friends are also welcome to attend related commencement events.

Spouses, parents, grandparents and/or siblings who are alumni of USD School of Law can participate in congratulating graduates on stage at the commencement ceremony. Any graduating student who wishes to have their relative(s) participate should contact the Office for Law Student Affairs by March 31, 2018. Please note that this process must be initiated by the student.

Please bring your cap, gown, hood, tassel and any honor cords you received. Please avoid bringing purses and bags as much as possible as there will not be a place for you to store them during the ceremony. You will have to proceed into the ceremony with anything that you bring with you.

Parking and Tram Service

The USD campus is located off Linda Vista Road. Guests may enter campus from the east or west entrance to campus (see campus map). Parking personnel at each entrance will direct guests to parking areas located in the Mission Parking Structure just inside the east entrance. Parking is also available on the west side of campus in the West Parking Structure. Guests are encouraged to arrive at least one hour before ceremony start-time to avoid traffic congestion. USD tram service will shuttle graduates and guests to and from the Mission and West parking structures and the Jenny Craig Pavilion.  

Please note the following:

• Parking is complimentary for all commencement ceremonies and activities.
• Parking will not be permitted on Santa Ana Drive after 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Commencement weekend.
• Vehicles will not be permitted to offload passengers on Santa Ana Drive during Commencement.
• Ridesharing (Uber, Lyft, etc.) drop-off will be at the Vista Alcala Apartments parking lot.

For more information on parking services, please visit www.sandiego.edu/parking or call (619) 260-4518 between 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. 

For more information on tram services, please visit www.sandiego.edu/safety/tram-services/ or call (619) 260-8899 between 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Parking for Guests with Disabilities

Vehicles displaying a DMV-issued disabled person parking placard or license plate will be directed by parking personnel to park in a reserved area on the third floor of the Mission Parking Structure. Tram service will be provided for all disabled and elderly guests to and from this area and the Jenny Craig Pavilion as well as to and from the post-ceremony receptions and the third floor of the Mission Parking Structure.

If a temporary disabled parking permit is needed, please contact the Office of Parking Services by telephone at (619) 260-4518 or email parking@sandiego.edu.

Please note that guests are not permitted to drop off or pick up passengers in front of the Jenny Craig Pavilion.

The doors to the Jenny Craig Pavilion will open at 8:00 a.m. and seating is first come, first served. The commencement procession will begin promptly at 9 a.m. so it is recommended that guests arrive no later than 8:30 a.m.

Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The doors of the Jenny Craig Pavilion open at 8:00 a.m. Since seating is open, please do not save seats in any way other than sitting in the seat.

Special seating is available to guests who are hearing impaired or disabled. Guests who are hearing impaired may request special seating from a commencement usher. Disabled guests may request that a companion sit with them. Video screens are located on either side of the pavilion.

For more information on disabled or special needs accommodations for guests, please contact the Jenny Craig Pavilion Ticket Office at (619) 260-7550 or by email at tickets@sandiego.edu.

The USD School of Law commencement ceremony will be webcast live on the internet and will be available for replay following the ceremony.

View the live webcast.

Ceremony Photography
Grad Images Photography will be taking photographs of each graduate on stage during the commencement ceremonies. Each graduate will be sent proofs of the commencement photographs via email and/or text after the event. Proofs will also be sent via postal mail. You will have the opportunity to purchase prints after you have seen your proofs. 

If you have any questions about your commencement ceremony photographs, please visit the Grad Images website or call toll-free 1-800-261-2576.

Portraiture Photography at Grad Fest I & II
DiFranco Photography will provide free portrait sittings at Grad Fest I & II.

• No appointment necessary
• No sitting fee
• Cap and gown provided

Proofs are emailed to the student and there is no obligation to purchase. If you have questions about your order, please contact info@diFrancophoto.comor call 1-866-689-4329.

Diplomas will be mailed directly to graduates after class rank and honors have been determined (approximately mid-July). It is very important that you ensure that your contact information and mailing address are up-to-date in the MySanDiego portal in order to receive your diploma in a timely manner.

You will receive any awarded Concentration Certificates and your Honors Brochure at the same address mid-summer.

For questions about this page, please contact the Office for Law Student Affairs.