For Graduates
This page will be updated frequently with up-to-date information until the day of commencement. Please check back frequently.
Graduate Registration
- Any student eligible to graduate in fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025 graduation terms will be invited to register.
- Students can check their STARS %Report for the grad terms and update them through MY USC Oasis. For grad term question, please get in touch with the program’s academic advisor.
- Graduates who have not registered may attend the ceremony as a “walk-in graduate.” However, graduate registration is highly encouraged to ensure a smooth and enjoyable commencement ceremony.
Academic Advising
Please contact the program academic advisor or administrator with any questions about your degree requirements for graduation.
Programs | Contact Name | Phone | |
BS PP | Josephine Le | [email protected] | 213-740-2172 |
BS RED | Russ Sommer Bella Benson | [email protected] [email protected] | 213-740-3536 213-821-0564 |
MHA | Jennifer Kim | [email protected] | 213-821-0837 |
EMHA – Online | Shaunna Thomas | [email protected] | 213-740-3025 |
EML | Rosana Padilla | [email protected] | 213-740-3415 |
IPPAM | Rosana Padilla | [email protected] | 213-740-9869 |
MNLM | Yingfei Xin | [email protected] | 213-740-6283 |
MPA | Yingfei Xin [A-J] Lucia Saavedra [K-Z] | [email protected] [email protected] | 213-740-6283 213-740-4723 |
MPA Online | Cole Yamada | [email protected] | 213-740-3915 |
MPP | Suzanne Alexander | [email protected] | 213-740-1532 |
BS USP, MUP, EMUP (Online) | Karla Barajas | [email protected] | 213-740-0529 |
MRED | Russ Sommer Ashley Flinn | [email protected] [email protected] | 213-740-3536 213-740-4843 |
MPPDS | Suzanne Alexander | [email protected] | 213-740-1532 |
DPPD | Anna Parks | [email protected] | 213-740-8181 |
PhD | Anna Parks | [email protected] | 213-740-8181 |
Grad Card: Why Grads Need This
The printed Grad Card is unique to the Price School Ceremony and will be used to announce each graduate’s name as they walk across the stage. Grad Cards will be ready for pick-up in the Price Student Affairs Office between April 28 through May 15.
Tickets
More information about ticketing will be available closer to commencement.
Day of Logistics and Prohibited Items
- Graduates must line up at the Shrine Auditorium with their Grad Card and USC issued Commencement ticket at 3:30 p.m. Enter the Shrine Auditorium at the Expo Hall entrance on 32nd Street. Upon arrival, graduates will line up with their program cohort. Additional details are forthcoming.
- All graduates must have regalia to participate in the ceremony. Please do not wear your regalia to the Shrine, security will require you remove regalia (including caps) to pass through the metal detectors.
- All graduates will go through a metal detector to enter the Shrine Auditorium. The following items are not allowed in the Shrine Auditorium and will be confiscated at the entrance, no exceptions:
- Airhorns
- Non-clear bags
- Backpacks
- *Note: bags that are clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and do not exceed 12” by 6” by 12” are allowed
- Balloons
- Large posters, signs, and banners that obstruct the stage view.
- Open water bottles*
- *Note: sealed water bottles and empty reusable water bottles are permitted.
- Alcohol or other substances
- Please note that there is zero tolerance for attending commencement under the influence of alcohol or other substances. Such behavior is a serious violation of Community Expectations policy and will result in a report and potential sanctions, which could impact a student’s standing at the university and may delay or negatively affect the issuance of the diploma.
Cap and Gown
Students have the option to purchase or rent their regalia. All regalia purchases and rentals are managed by the USC Bookstore. See below for more information.
Rent Regalia: Students who rent regalia may keep the cap and tassel. The gown and hood should be returned immediately following the ceremony at the drop location near the ceremony or at the USC Bookstore, or at various regalia drop sites.
Purchase Regalia: For cap and gown (regalia) purchase and cost information, please visit the USC Bookstore website
Graduate Program Hood Colors
Please be clear when informing the staff at the bookstore of the graduate degree earned to ensure the correct hood color is received. See below to review the hood color of each degree program.
Doctoral Hood Colors | |
DPPD | Crimson |
PhD | Royal Blue |
Master’s Hood Colors | |
EML | Peacock Blue |
IPPAM | Peacock Blue |
MHA, EMHA | Peacock Blue |
MNLM | Peacock Blue |
MPA | Peacock Blue |
MPP | Peacock Blue |
MRED | Crimson |
MPPDS | Peacock Blue |
MUP, EMUP | Crimson |
Sashes
Sashes are optional purchases and can be ordered with the USC logo or embroidered university seal, and can be customized with fraternity/sorority crests, graduation year, or other commemorative marks. Sashes can be purchased at the USC Bookstore or online.
Undergraduate Honor Cords
Eligible Price undergraduate students will receive honor cords from the Price Office of Student Affairs in April. Please note: it is university policy that honor cords are for undergraduate students only.
A minimum overall grade point average of 3.5 for cum laude, 3.7 for magna cum laude, and 3.9 for summa cum laude is required for honors cords. Undergraduate students must meet these averages for both USC units attempted, and combined transferred and USC units attempted. Note that the grade point average calculation is truncated, not rounded. University honors are noted on academic transcripts and the diploma.
Diplomas
The USC Registrar’s Office oversees the distribution of university diplomas, in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). To learn more about how your diploma will be distributed to you, please visit Diploma – Office of Academic Records and Registrar.
Class Rings
Information on how to order a class ring is available on the USC Bookstore website.
Grad Packs
Grad Packs are a convenient one stop shop of the most popular graduation items. Most Graduation Packages include USC Custom Gown/Hood Rental with Souvenir Cap & USC Tassel, Announcement Essentials plus a 2025 Keychain Tassel and a Diploma frame. To learn more about Grad Packs, please visit USC Grad Packs.
The USC Yearbook – El Rodeo
The El Rodeo – USC’s yearbook is one of the oldest student organizations on campus, publishing since 1899. Through the El Rodeo website, students can order a copy of the year, purchase a dedication, or learn about how to get their portraits taken. Please visit El Rodeo.
USC Student Email Account
Typically, your @usc.edu student account will be disabled six (6) months after your conferred degree date. For additional information and assistance, please visit the USC ITS department site for more information or call (213) 740-5555.