Doctoral Graduate – Day of Ceremony Information

The USC Rossier School of Education Doctoral Commencement Ceremony takes place Wednesday, May 14, 2025 in McCarthy Quad.  All Doctoral candidates (PhD, EdD – EDL, OCL and Global Executive) are included and will be hooded by their Faculty Chair during this ceremony.

 

USC Campus Access Tickets

All USC Rossier Commencement Ceremonies will require tickets for graduates and their guests to enter campus for both USC Rossier Ceremonies. 
Click here for the March 21st announcement
Graduates can access information on obtaining those tickets at  commencement.usc.edu/graduates/ticketing-information

LIVE STREAM

All USC Rossier Commencement Ceremonies will be live streamed via USC Commencement Platform

CLOSE CAPTIONING

All USC Rossier Commencement Ceremonies will be close captioned. Use this link to access the caption feed on your personal device. 

Ceremony Information

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2025 | 1:00 p.m.

The Doctoral Ceremony will take place in McCarthy Quad (between Doheny and Leavey Libraries). The Ceremony will last approximately 2 hours. A reception will be hosted on the Pardee Way Lawn immediately following each ceremony.

All Graduates MUST be registered and have regalia to attend.  Before arrival, all graduates MUST download to their mobile phone OR print their STAGE PASS for their assigned ceremony.

STAGE PASS

  • Starting April 15th, all registered graduates can log into their Tassel account and retrieve their Stage Pass. Each pass will contain a unique QR code that will be scanned as they cross the stage.
  • You have 2 options to bring your Stage Pass to your ceremony:
    1. SAVE AND PRINT your Grad Pass without altering the size. 
    2. SAVE AND DOWNLOAD your Stage Pass to your phone album or apple/google wallet.
  • Instructions on how to download or print your stage pass can be accessed here.

Line-Up

  • Please note, ONLY the registered graduate is allowed to cross the stage during the ceremony. 
  • Graduate line-up begins 1 hour prior to each ceremony in the lawn in front of Waite Phllips Hall.
  • Graduates will line up within their program, by their Chairs’ Last Name.
    • If their chair is not present and an alternative was not previously designated, Dr. Stowe will hood.
  • Graduates MUST stay in their specified groups throughout the ceremony.

REGALIA

Rented Regalia

  • Caps and Gowns can be returned inside the University Bookstore on Wednesday, May 14 and Friday, May 16, 2025 or the bin adjacent to McCarthy Quad.
  • For specific information, please contact University Bookstore.

Hoods (DOCTORAL STUDENTS ONLY)

  • Please bring your hood with the button UNFASTENED
  • Make sure to carry your hood with your left arm until you are “hooded” by your chair
  • Once seated, place your hood on your chair until it is time to be hooded
  • Tassels should be worn on the left side of the cap

USC transportation, captioning, parking and wheelchair access information can be found on the For Guest tab.

For additional inquiries, please contact rossier.events@usc.edu