Graduates

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. 

The unversity is collaborating with our vendor, Tassel, to offer graduate registration services and prerecorded professional name announcements. Candidates will receive an email to their @sdsu email account on Monday, March 10 with a Tassel registration link. Candidates can also register directly on Tassel on or after March 10.

All candidates planning to participate in Commencement 2025 at Viejas Arena must register in advance in order to attend.

REGISTRATION TO ATTEND YOUR CEREMONY IS REQUIRED BY SUNDAY, APRIL 13.

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 18-20 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 21.

More Apparel Information

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

Tickets

Students who graduated in fall 2024 or applied for spring/summer 2025 graduation by the February 3, 2025 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 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. 

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 four to six weeks after graduation.

Announcements

You can order graduation announcements at GradFest March 18-20, 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 18-20.

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.