virtual commencement celebration saturday may 16 2020

Class of 2020

San Diego State University congratulates you on your achievements and upcoming graduation. The Aztec community will come together to celebrate you during the virtual commencement celebration on Saturday, May 16 at 12 p.m. PDT. We hope you will join us with your family and friends that day! This special virtual celebration will allow us to honor you and mark this important moment.

We are inviting the entire university community and our more than 430,000 alumni to wear their red and black for “SDSU Day” on May 16, while tuning in to show their support for the Class of 2020.

You will be able to access the virtual celebration livestream here, on the SDSU homepage and through Facebook Live on the university’s official Facebook page. We will also be sharing fun ways you can begin to celebrate leading up to the event through social media and other platforms.

Virtual Ceremony

Programs

Congratulations, and go Aztecs!

Grad Celebration Kit

Looking for ways to make this special moment even more festive? Explore our Graduation Celebration Kit below to download printable signs, celebratory certificates, banners, how to make a cap instructions and more. We want to hear from you: Show us how you are planning to celebrate by using #sdsugrad on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Regalia, Class Ring, Announcement Ordering Available

We are in the process of rescheduling the in-person GradFest and will soon communicate the new dates. In the interim, you can place regalia orders and purchase other commencement items online through the SDSU Bookstore.

The following discounts on regalia bundles are available online now through October 31, 2020:

  • Bachelor bundle regular price $115/special price $99
  • Master bundle regular price $145/special price $129
  • Doctoral bundle regular price $148/special price $132

All regalia bundles will ship for free.

All regalia and diploma frames are also available to purchase a la carte. Diploma frames will incur a $15.00 oversized shipping fee. Announcements can be ordered online.

Class rings may also be ordered online. If you have questions regarding rings, please contact Sandra Ochoa at Jostens by emailing [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

Although we are unable to mark this milestone in person, the Virtual Commencement Celebration provides an opportunity for our graduates to celebrate their accomplishments with loved ones and the entire SDSU community.

The Virtual Commencement Celebration will be shown on Saturday, May 16 at 12 p.m. PDT via livestream at the SDSU homepage, the commencement website and SDSU's official Facebook page. Graduates simply need to tune in, and no registration is required in advance.

The Virtual Commencement Celebration will not be a formal ceremony with name reading. Instead, it will be a spirited celebration for the Class of 2020. Graduates are not required to wear regalia, but can purchase regalia, if desired, through the SDSU Bookstore by May 6 if you are outside of California or May 8 if you live within California for delivery before the celebration. Bachelor's degree candidates will also have the opportunity to do a virtual tassel change during the livestream.

Graduates also have the option to participate in the postponed in-person ceremonies, which SDSU currently plans to hold in December 2020 or May 2021.

Please note this decision will not affect the timing of degree completion for May and August 2020 graduation candidates. Degree conferral will be governed by the completion of the academic work for the relevant degree. December 2019 graduates have already received their degree and diploma.
No, the fee will not be refunded. The graduation service fee will continue to fund both the rescheduled December 2020 ceremony and the cost of graduate diplomas and evaluations. May and Summer 2020 candidates will receive diplomas by mail approximately 6-8 weeks following the end of their respective semester if all degree requirements have been met. December 2019 graduates have already received their degree and diploma.

Graduates can purchase regalia and other commencement items here. 

The in-person GradFest will be rescheduled in the fall. As we get closer, communications will be sent regarding the rescheduled GradFest and ticket distribution for the December 2020 ceremonies.

Yes, December 2020 graduates will be allowed to participate in the rescheduled December 2020 ceremony, or they will have the option to participate in the May 2021 ceremony. They will only be allowed to participate in one or the other, not both.

Personalized Video Keepsake by StageClip

Your personalized video keepsake from SDSU vendor StageClip will be available on the day of the Virtual Commencment Celebration on Saturday, May 16.

Visit the StageClip website and enter your name in the search bar. Your clip will be available to download and share across social media using #SDSUGrad.

Please note, you will still receive a generic video keepsake with your name even if you did not submit a photo and/or video by the May 9 deadline.

Graduating Senior Survey

Graduating seniors, help us share the story of our graduating class by taking the Graduating Senior Survey. In less than 5 minutes you can Tell Us Your Aztec Experience!

Graduating Senior Survey

Share your Class of 2020 Photos with us!

Visit our SmugMug photo upload page.

December 2020 Commencement Schedule

Thursday, 12/17

2 p.m. – Imperial Valley*

Friday, 12/18

8:30 a.m. – College of Sciences*
2 p.m. – College of Arts and Letters*

Saturday, 12/19

8 a.m. – Fowler College of Business
1 p.m. – College of Health and Human Services
5:30 p.m. – College of Engineering

Sunday, 12/20

9 a.m. – College of Education and Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement
2 p.m. – College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
* In observance of Hanukkah, the times on December 17 and 18 have changed since the communication sent on March 27.

Please send questions to:

President's Office Special Events
[email protected]