Graduates

Everything you need to know before walking the stage.

Commencement Registration

SDSU is partnering with MarchingOrder to provide candidate registration and prerecorded, 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 evaluated after coursework is complete for the semester in which you applied to graduate and your degree will be conferred if appropriate. Registering for attendance at your ceremony ensures that tickets will be issued for your guests. Attending commencement is not, in itself, indicative all degree requirements being met. 

Candidates will receive an email to their @sdsu email account on Monday, March 18 with a MarchingOrder registration link. Candidates can also register directly on MarchingOrder on or after March 18.

All candidates planning to participate in Commencement 2024 at Viejas Arena must register in advance in order to attend.

REGISTRATION TO ATTEND YOUR CEREMONY IS REQUIRED BY SUNDAY, APRIL 14.

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. See Ceremonies by College. College representatives will help to organize you in the correct processional line according to your major.

Day at a Glance

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.

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 26-28 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 29.

More Apparel Information

Don't wait too long to purchase your graduation essentials!

Tickets

Students who graduated in fall 2023 or applied for spring/summer 2024 graduation by the January 30, 2024 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.

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. 

More information on tickets

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 three to four weeks after graduation.

Announcements

You can order graduation announcements at GradFest March 26-28, 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 26-28.

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.

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.