Price Grad FAQs

There are two primary commencement events scheduled for Friday, May 12, 2023– the USC Main Ceremony and the USC Price School Satellite Commencement Ceremony. There are no fees for participating in or attending either ceremony. Graduates only need to rent their regalia, and a class ring, announcements, etc. are optional. For those who cannot attend in-person, both commencement events will be live-broadcast online, and available on-demand for future viewing.

For more information about the USC Main Ceremony, please visit the USC Main Ceremony website and the USC Commencement FAQs page.

For more information about the USC Price School Satellite Commencement Ceremony, please review the FAQs below and visit the informational pages linked below.

Click here For Graduate information

Click here For Guest information

Click here For Faculty information

1. USC Main Ceremony and Commencement Program

Where can I find information about the USC Main Ceremony?

• Please visit the USC Main Ceremony website and the USC Commencement FAQs page.

Can I skip the USC Main Ceremony and only attend the USC Price School Satellite Commencement Ceremony?

• Yes.  The USC Main Ceremony is a beautiful and memorable ceremony, and we encourage all students to participate.  However, students may choose to skip the USC Main Ceremony and attend the USC Price School Satellite Commencement Ceremony, and vice versa.  

What information does the USC Commencement Program include?

• The USC Main Commencement program includes the graduate’s name and previously earned degrees. The format is as follows: graduate name, current degree program, and previously earned degree.  Information on how to make any updates to your information is available on the USC Commencement Program website.    

What should I do if I want to change my name for how it appears in the USC Commencement Program?

• Please review information on the USC Commencement Program website. The deadline to request a name change is early March 2023.

If I have more than one major, how will I be listed?

• Your name will be listed in all sections relevant to your majors.

2. USC Price School Satellite Commencement Ceremony and Digital Program

How long is the USC Price School Satellite Commencement Ceremony?

• The USC Price School Satellite Commencement Ceremony usually lasts two hours. A reception will immediately follow. For those who cannot attend in-person, the ceremony will be live-streamed here.

Do I have to register for the USC Price School Commencement Ceremony?

• Graduate registration is required for the USC Price School Satellite Commencement Ceremony. The class of 2023 is welcome to participate and includes any student with an anticipated graduation semester of Fall 2022, Spring 2023, or Summer 2023.  Graduates will receive an invitation in their USC email accounts from Marching Order in February 2023. 

Is there a separate hooding ceremony for doctoral students?

• No, doctoral students will be hooded at the USC Price School Satellite Commencement Ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium.  

Who will hood me?

• Doctoral students are hooded by their chairs. If your chair is not present, another chair or an Associate Dean will step in.

How will my name appear in the USC Price School Satellite Commencement Ceremony Digital Program?

• The USC Price School will obtain student names from the USC Commencement Program. 

• Information on how to request a name change is available on the Office of Academic Records and Registrar Office website. The deadline is in early March 2023.  

I am a graduate, do I need a ticket?

• Yes, your Grad Card is your ticket. All graduating students must register for commencement through Marching Order. Once registration is complete, a graduate will be assigned a Grad Card which is their ticket into the Price Ceremony and will be used to announce their name as they walk across the stage. Grad Cards will be ready for pick-up in the Price Student Affairs Office between April 27-May 11. A reminder email will be sent to all graduates in April. If you did not register for Commencement or lost your grad card, please visit the help desk at Expo Hall at the Shrine Auditorium upon arrival to the Shrine for a replacement Grad Card.

Do my guests need tickets to attend the USC Price School Satellite Commencement Ceremonies?

• No.  All seating is provided on a first-come, first-served basis.  Tickets are only required for those who need ADA accommodated seating. ADA accommodation tickets will be emailed to graduates to share with their guests one week in advance of the USC Price School Satellite Commencement Ceremony. Please review the For Guest section for more information. 

How do I ensure accommodation(s) for guests with disabilities? 

• During registration, all graduates will be required to note any individuals with disabilities who need accommodations. Every reasonable effort will be made to provide reasonable accommodations in an effective and timely manner. Due to space limitations, only one guest may accompany a guest in the ADA accommodation seating area. 

3. Cap and Gown

How do I order my cap and gown?

• USC Cap and Gowns (Regalia) can be purchased or rented from the USC Bookstore both online and in person. Please review the bookstore’s website for order information and deadlines. 

• Rent Regalia: For cap and gown (regalia) rental information, please visit the USC Bookstore website, Rent Regalia

• Purchase Regalia: For cap and gown (regalia) purchase information, please visit the USC Bookstore website, Purchase Regalia

I’m a graduate, how do I get my hood?

• Your hood is included with your regalia order by indicating which degree you’re receiving.

Can I rent or purchase my hood by itself?

• Yes, for additional information contact the USC Bookstore at 213.740.8997.

Who wears tams?

• A tam is a graduation cap used in place of the standard mortarboard. They are usually made of a velvet material with a soft top. Doctoral students may wear tams instead of a mortar board (cap with stiff square top) at the ceremony.  Tams must be purchased; mortar boards are included with cap and gown rentals.

How do I manage my hood and gown before and during the ceremony?

• It’s recommended to hang your gown to avoid wrinkling. Your hood should be carried on your left arm until you are “hooded” by your chair.

What color is my hood?

• Please review the section: For Graduates for more information about hood colors.  

Who is eligible for honor cords?

• Undergraduate students only.

If I have graduated from another USC school, can I wear my robe from that ceremony? 

• Yes.

4. Diplomas

When should I expect my diploma to arrive and will it arrive with a hardcover?

• Diplomas are mailed 6-8 weeks after graduates complete their degree requirements. Diplomas are mailed in a cardboard envelope sent via 1st class mail. There is no cost for shipping; the diplomas are mailed to the permanent address on file.  More diploma information can be found on the Office of Academic Records and Registrar website.   

5. Traveling to Campus

Is parking complimentary for my guests?

• Complimentary parking is available at all USC Parking Structures on a first-come, first-serve basis. Campus will have heavy traffic congestion, therefore public transportation is highly recommended. Please click here to review transit and parking options for commencement day.

How much time will it take to exit campus after Commencement?

• Allow approximately an hour to get off campus by car.

6. Additional Questions

My question was not answered, who do I contact?

• For all academic-related matters, please contact your academic advisor or program administrator.

• For USC Price School Satellite Commencement Ceremony related questions, please email the Price Office of Student Affairs at [email protected].