Commencement

Ordering Regalia

Commencement ceremony regalia (caps, gowns, hoods, and tassels) will be available to order March 4th for undergraduate students and April 8th for graduate students. Non-UC faculty regalia requests must be submitted by April 5th. Graduation Etc. will take orders through graduation day, however, it is best to have student orders placed by mid-May to ensure they have the inventory to accommodate you. Students can order their regalia by going to Graduation, Etc. at Ackerman Union, Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or by visiting the Graduation, Etc. website.

MPP, MSW and MURP candidates can see samples of Advanced Degree Academic Regalia at Graduation, Etc. There are two models – one wearing a Master’s hood and the other a Ph.D. hood. Graduation, Etc. will have stations for returning caps and gowns at the Commencement location. Please note: The hoods for each department are different. Be sure to request regalia for your Urban Planning, Public Policy or Social Welfare master’s degree. Urban Planning and Social Welfare Ph.D. candidates order Ph.D. regalia. If you keep your regalia a little longer (for family photo sessions, etc.) you must return them to Graduation, Etc. in Ackerman Union. Deadline for returning caps and gowns is June 21st at 5:00 p.m. or a $50 late fee will be assessed. See the dressing instructions for the academic hood.

Public Affairs B.A. candidates must wear a black cap/mortar board, black gown, and royal blue tassel. Students are eligible to wear honor cords (or, fourragere) if they are graduating with Latin Honors or College Honors, and/or if they are recipients of the Chancellor’s Service Award. Purchase and distribution of honor cords begin in June. 

In addition to wearing honor cords, students are permitted to wear sashes, cords, and/or other regalia that programs and student organizations give to graduating students. You can also wear sashes, cords, and leis that are given to you by family and loved ones.

Guest Tickets

All guests are required to have a ticket for entrance. Tickets must be ordered by noon on May 2, 2024.  All tickets will be sent digitally directly to the graduates by May 28, 2024 from the Central Ticket Office, not the Luskin School of Public Affairs. Graduates are responsible for distributing them to their guests. Your department will let you know how many tickets you will be receiving.

Please be advised that all bags may be subject to search. Use of clear bags may expedite entrance to the venue. We recommend guests arrive at least 30-60 minutes in advance of the ceremony to allow ample time for health and bag checks. Large balloon displays, noisemakers, and confetti poppers will be confiscated.

Guest Parking & Maps

Commencement parking for guests without a parking permit is $14 per day. Pre-paid Commencement Parking Permits are available for purchase ($14 per permit) through Bruin ePermit starting in May.  Parking is non-refundable. Please see Bruin ePermit document for more information on ordering permits. Parking permits on commencement day will be general parking permits, not tied to a specific lot. PayStation and ParkMobile will still be available, but spaces are limited and not guaranteed.

Parking Structure 2: 602 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles, CA 90095

Parking Structure 3: 215 Charles E. Young Drive North, Los Angeles, CA 90095

UCLA Parking Map (pdf) | Interactive Campus Map

Hotel Accomodations for Commencement Guests

UCLA has made arrangements with two nearby hotels to hold a limited number of guests rooms, available on a first come, first serve basis. All room charges must be paid directly by the guest to the hotels. UCLA is not liable for any charges or fees related to the accommodations and makes no guarantees on availability. Additional details and booking links can be found here.

Wheelchair Seating & Sign Language Interpreters

If graduates have questions or need assistance for family members and guests, please contact the Office for Students with Disabilities A-255 Murphy Hall at (310) 825-1501 or visit www.osd.ucla.edu/ They have limited wheelchairs available for loan (reservations required) and volunteer wheelchair pushers. Pico Rents is offered as an alternative source of wheelchairs for rent. Students who need special assistance may give that information to their graduate advisors and we will make needed accommodations. Signers will also be available to interpret the ceremony for those who are hearing impaired. They will be stationed on the “audience right” (as you face the stage.) Audience members who would like an interpreter should sit toward the front on the right-hand side of the audience (as you face the stage).

Health Concerns

UCLA COVID protocols are in alignment with guidance from the California and Los Angeles County public health departments and in some cases surpass state and county requirements. Face masks are encouraged. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination will not be required.