​Commencement FAQs

The first opportunity to order your regalia and commencement cords is at GradFest I. Students may also order their regalia and cords online beginning Friday, March 13, 2020. When ordering your regalia, please be sure to select the appropriate degree program to ensure that you get the correct regalia. See the GradFest I flyer (PDF) for more information. The deadline to order regalia and commencement cords is Friday, April 24, 2020. 

Items Included with Standard Regalia Rentals and Fees:
LLM Regalia (Rental Fee: $48.00)

• Doctoral Gown with purple velvet sleeve bars and purple velvet front panel
• Doctoral Hood (purple)
• Doctoral Tam (black)
• Tassel (gold)

JD Regalia (Rental Fee: $48.00)

• Doctoral Gown with black velvet sleeve bars and black velvet front panel
• Doctoral Hood (purple)
• Doctoral Tam (black)
• Tassel (gold)

MSLS Regalia (Rental Fee: $25.00)

• Master's Gown with purple velvet trim
• Masters Hood (purple)
• Mortarboard (black)
• Tassel (black)

Note: The gown, hood and tam/mortarboard must be returned after the graduation ceremony. Students keep the tassel. If students would like to keep their hood or tam/mortarboard cap, they may be purchased separately. Regalia and cords cannot be charged to a student account.

Commencement Cords

Commencement cords for participation in student organizations, journals, and advocacy groups will be available to order through the regalia order form. Cords do not need to be returned after the graduation ceremony and can be kept by the student. Note: Pro bono cords will be distributed by the Office of Career and Professional Development to those students who meet the pro bono requirements to receive recognition at the commencement ceremony. 

For more information on ordering your regalia for the commencement ceremony and order deadlines, please visit 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.

Immediate family (spouse, parent, grandparent or sibling) 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 email the Office for Law Student Affairs by March 31, 2020. Participation in the commencement ceremony entails the relative sitting on stage and presenting the student with their diploma during the presentation of candidates. Please note that this process must be initiated by the student.

Come dressed in your gown, and bring your USD hood, tam, tassel, and any commencement cords. Shoes are required! Staff will be present to ensure your graduation attire is appropriately displayed - so if you do not know how to put on the hood, tam, or accessories, that is okay - we do!

Avoid having purses or bags with you if possible, as you will be walking into the ceremony from behind the JCP and will not want anything impeding your ability to grab your diploma! Staff cannot hold or secure your personal items.

Parking and Tram Service

The USD campus is located off Linda Vista Road. Guests may enter campus from the east (Main Entrance) or west (West Entrance). Visit the campus map. Parking personnel at each entrance will direct guests to parking areas located in the Main 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 Main 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 a.m.- 5 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 a.m. - 4 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 Main Parking Structure. Tram service will be provided for all disabled and elderly guests to and from this area and the Jenny Craig Pavilion.

If a temporary disabled parking permit is needed, please contact the Office of Parking Services by May 1 at (619) 260-4518 or email parking@sandiego.edu.

Please note that guests that are disabled can be dropped off at the roundabout in front of the Jenny Craig Pavilion. Please alert the Public Safety officer of your intention to do so.

The doors to the Jenny Craig Pavilion will open at 8 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 email 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.

Prior to the ceremony, visit www.gradimages.com/preregistration. Enter your email and up to 6 emails with whom you would like to share your accomplishment by allowing them to view and order your photos. If you have any questions about your commencement ceremony photographs, please visit www.gradimages.com/universityofsandiego or call toll-free 1-800-261-2576.

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 email the Office for Law Student Affairs.