Graduates
Congratulations to our upcoming graduating class!
Meet your one-stop shop for all information and announcements for this year’s ceremonies. You will find information about what to wear, where to go the day of your ceremony, how to claim your guest tickets, and more!
Important: Deadline to register for Commencement is April 17, 2026. Be sure to register in order to participate in your ceremony.
Here is everything you need to know before walking the stage.
Commencement Registration
Applying for graduation and registering to attend your commencement ceremony are two different but related activities.
- Applying and paying your graduation fee: Ensures that your degree will be evaluated once your coursework is complete for the semester in which you applied, and your degree will be awarded if all requirements are met
- Registering to attend your ceremony: Ensures that tickets will be issued for your guests.
All candidates must complete both processes in advance in order to participate in Commencement at Viejas Arena.
SDSU is collaborating with our vendor, Tassel, to offer graduate registration services and prerecorded professional name announcements. Candidates will receive an email on March 5, 2026 to their @sdsu email account with a Tassel registration link. Candidates can also register directly on Tassel on or after March 5.
Parking
Commencement 2026 parking information is forthcoming. Vehicles that are linked to an active student or employee parking permit do not need to pay the fee. Visit Transportation for the directions, shuttle information and a campus map.
Graduates or guests with SDSU or disabled parking permits may park in any legal stall on campus and do not need to pay the fee. Do not park in residential areas, as residential permit requirements will be enforced.
Assembly and Processional
Assemble in Lot 13, across from Parking Structure 12, north of the arena. Arrive one hour before the processional start time, unless otherwise noted for your college. Representatives from your college will help to organize you in the correct processional line according to your major.
Select your college for additional information regarding assembly and processional for your ceremony.
- College of Graduate Studies - Ceremony 1
- College of Graduate Studies - Ceremony 2
- Fowler College of Business - Ceremony 1
- Fowler College of Business - Ceremony 2
- College of Arts and Letters
- College of Education/IS3D
- College of Sciences
- College of Engineering
- College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
- College of Health and Human Services
Apparel
All participants in commencement ceremonies will wear full academic regalia, consisting of a traditional gown with SDSU medallion and a mortarboard with red and black tassel.
All master’s degree candidates will wear black tassels. Doctoral candidates will wear gold tassels.
Full academic regalia will be available for purchase at GradFest, March 24-26, 2026, in Montezuma Hall at the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.
If you are unable to attend GradFest, regalia may be purchased online or at the SDSU Bookstore beginning March 27, 2026.
Tickets
Students who graduated in fall 2025 or applied for spring/summer 2026 graduation by the February 2, 2026 filing deadline will have the opportunity to claim a limited number of guest tickets for commencement ceremonies taking place at Viejas Arena. All guest tickets are complimentary and will be digital/mobile tickets. Allotments by college ceremony and schedule to claim tickets will be available in late February.
All guests ages 1 and older must have tickets to attend commencement. Babies under 12 months may attend without a ticket but must sit on an adult's lap.
Diplomas
Diplomas will not be distributed at commencement. The university will issue your diploma after verifying that you have completed all degree requirements. You will receive it by mail approximately four to six weeks after graduation.
GradFest 2026
Join us for GradFest, March 24-26, 2026, at Montezuma Hall in the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union. At GradFest, graduates can:
- Purchase exclusive cap and gown bundles
- Get assistance with sizing and regalia selection from SDSU Bookstore staff
- Take graduation photos
- Order flower leis, class rings, diploma frames, announcements, and more
For cap and gown information, visit the SDSU Bookstore site.
Announcements
You can order graduation announcements at GradFest, March 24-26, 2026, Montezuma Hall, Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union or online at Jostens. Samples are on display in the SDSU Bookstore. Order announcements by mid-April to ensure ample time for mailing.
Photography
Graduation portrait photographers will be available during GradFest, March 24-26, 2026.
GradImages Photography will take photographs of each graduate on stage during the commencement ceremonies. Each graduate will be sent no-obligation proofs of their commencement photographs via email and text after the ceremony. Proofs will also be sent via postal mail. You will have the opportunity to purchase prints after you have seen your proofs.
Graduates can also pre-register at GradImages by clicking the “Registration” link, where you can enter your contact information and up to six email addresses for others to view and order your photos.
If you have any questions about your commencement ceremony photographs, please visit GradImages or call toll-free 1-800-261-2576.
Flowers
Leis and bouquets will be sold at several locations around campus at commencement. Students and guests are encouraged to pre-order for pick up before the ceremony so they can wear their leis on stage and in pictures.
Ceremony Livestreaming
All ceremonies will be broadcast online on the SDSU homepage and Commencement site. All ceremonies will also stream on Facebook Live through the San Diego State University Facebook page.