Graduates
Commencement Registration
SDSU is partnering with MarchingOrder to provide graduate registration and pre-recorded, professional name reading.
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 processed after coursework is complete and certification of your degree is issued. Registering for attendance at your ceremony ensures that tickets will be issued for your guests.
Graduates received an email to their @sdsu email account on Monday, March 13 with a MarchingOrder registration link. Graduates can also register directly on MarchingOrder.
Please note, due to the transition to my.SDSU, you now also have a RedID number that is nine digits that begins with a 1. You can view your ID number in your my.SDSU account. Log in with your SDSUid and password and click the Profile tile. In the top left corner you will see the word ID and a nine-digit number. That nine-digit number is also your RedID. The student number beginning with the "1" is your preferred student number in the new system and this is the number that will appear in MarchingOrder when you register.
All graduates planning to participate in Commencement 2023 at Viejas Arena must register in advance in order to attend.
REGISTRATION TO ATTEND YOUR CEREMONY IS REQUIRED BY MONDAY, APRIL 17.
Assembly and Processional
Assemble in Lot 13, across from Parking Structure 12, north of the arena. Arrive at least 45 minutes before the processional start time, unless otherwise noted for your college. See Ceremonies by College. College representatives will help to organize you in the correct processional line according to your major.
By tradition, the commencement ceremony may include a processional, introductions, awards, a speaker and a recessional. Music for the processional and recessional will signal the beginning and end of the ceremony. Guests should allow plenty of time to park and find their seats. You may want to arrive to campus early and walk the campus grounds and take photos of your graduate.Day at a Glance
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. Regalia may be purchased online or at the SDSU Bookstore. Full academic regalia will also be available for purchase at GradFest, March 21 - 23 from 9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. at Montezuma Hall in the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union. Finally, if you are unable to attend GradFest, regalia will be available at the SDSU Bookstore and online beginning March 24.
Don't wait too long to purchase your graduation essentials!
Tickets
Candidates who graduated in Fall 2022 or applied for Spring/Summer 2023 graduation by the January 31, 2023 filing deadline will have the opportunity to claim guest tickets for their commencement ceremony at Viejas Arena. All guests who are 1 year of age and older are required to have a ticket to attend commencement. The only exception to this rule are babies under the age of 1 who must be seated on an adult’s lap. Commencement guest tickets are all reserved seating. Guests must sit in the seat locations listed on their tickets.
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. Graduates with bachelor's degrees in Liberal Arts and Sciences may purchase a Latin copy of their diploma by completing a Reissued Diploma Order form available on the Apply to Graduate website.Diplomas
Announcements
You can order graduation announcements at GradFest March 22-24, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m., 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 21-23.
GradImages Photography will take photographs of each graduate on stage during the commencement ceremonies. Each graduate will be sent no-obligation proofs of the commencement photographs via email and text after the event. Proofs will also be sent via postal mail. You will have the opportunity to purchase prints after you have seen your proofs.
Prior to the ceremony, graduates can also pre-register by visiting GradImages and using the “Pre-Event Email Registration” link. There you will enter your email address and up to six (6) 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.
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.Flowers