Viterbi PhD Hooding Information
Phd Hooding Ceremony
Celebrate this incredible milestone by participating in the 2027 PhD Hooding Ceremony!
Date: May 12, 2027, Wednesday
Time: 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Venue: Bovard Auditorium
Please complete the PhD Hooding Ceremony Participation Form (link will be added here in January) by March 15, 2027. Participation requires approval from your dissertation chair. Once approved, you will receive further instructions from Tassel, Viterbi’s commencement registration platform to complete your ceremony registration. Ceremony registration closes on March 31, 2027.
We look forward to celebrating this special achievement with you!
PhD Hooding Reception
Join us for a reception with light refreshments following the ceremony at Associates Park, behind Bovard Auditorium.
Date: May 12, 2027, Wednesday
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:30 AM
Venue: Associates Park North and South
3551 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089
It’s a lovely opportunity to celebrate this special milestone together!
Your Graduation Checklist
1
Submit the 2027 PhD Hooding Ceremony Participation Form
2
Register for Viterbi PhD Hooding Ceremony
Ready to celebrate? Once your Dissertation Chair has approved your 2027 Viterbi PhD Hooding Ceremony Student Participation Form, you will receive an email from Tassel, Viterbi’s commencement registration platform to complete your PhD Hooding ceremony registration. Ceremony registration closes on March 31, 2027.
During registration, you’ll confirm how your name should appear in the program and how it should be pronounced when you cross the stage, along with the number of guests attending. Please be considerate when selecting your guest count so that as many graduates as possible can celebrate with their loved ones.
3
Order Regalia
Get ready for your big day! Order your graduation regalia through the USC Bookstore. Be sure to take advantage of the current offer before it ends on December 31, 2026.
Regalia can be shipped to your home at no additional cost if ordered by April 10, 2027. Orders placed after April 11 will incur an expedited shipping fee and ship via 2nd Day Air. On campus pickup will be available starting May 10, 2027, on the USC Bookstore patio.
PhD Regalia: Doctoral hoods are dark blue. Graduates must wear their robes and caps to enter the venue and should bring their hoods with the button unfastened. Tassels should be worn on the right side of the cap.
4
Check Degree Progress for Name & Mailing Information for your Diploma
Log in to my.usc.edu and check Experience USC to confirm that all degree requirements are complete and your mailing address is correct. Your diploma will be mailed to your permanent address approximately 6-8 weeks after degrees are conferred on May 13 by the Office of Academic Records and Registrar, Degree Progress.
Your diploma name will match the name on your STARS report and USC academic transcript. Students who wish to change their name as it appears in the Student Information System (SIS) must submit a form of government-authorized identification to gtv@usc.edu. The name change request must be completed before the student has graduated.
Please review the Online Commencement Program to make sure your name appears correctly. If you need to request a correction, please submit it to Degree Progress by March, 2027.
5
Get tickets for USC Main Ceremony
Tickets are required to attend the Main Stage Commencement Ceremony at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Eligible graduates who have completed their Viterbi Ceremony registration will receive Main Stage Ceremony tickets automatically populated in their USC ticketing accounts by the end of the day on Wednesday, April 21. Eligible graduates will automatically receive one ticket for themselves as well as 10 guest tickets at no charge for the Main Stage Commencement Ceremony.
No tickets are required for the Viterbi Ceremony.
6
Arrive on Campus
As you get ready for your big day, remember that all students must wear Graduation Regalia (Cap and Gown) to participate in the ceremony. All graduates will pass through a metal detector before entering the Galen Center. Please leave bags, backpacks, airhorns, and balloons at home, as these items are not permitted inside. We look forward to celebrating this special milestone with you!
Important Information & Resources
Graduation Momentos
For information on how to order USC custom graduate announcements, class rings, and diploma frames, please visit the USC Bookstore.
Add a personal touch to your graduation look with an optional USC stole or sash. Choose from USC designs or customize yours with a graduation year, fraternity or sorority crest, or other commemorative details. Shop USC stoles and sashes.
Celebrate your achievement with a beautiful floral lei! Browse and pre-order graduation leis through the USC Bookstore Leis Shop.
Capture your college memories in USC’s yearbook, published since 1899! Visit El Rodeo to order a yearbook, purchase a dedication, or learn about getting your portrait taken.
Ceremony Guidelines & Photography
To help everyone enjoy the ceremony safely, please remain seated once the procession begins. For fire safety, guests may not stand or gather in aisles or open spaces. Large video screens will be available so family and friends can comfortably watch graduates as they make their way to the stage.
Professional photographers GradImages will photograph graduates during the Viterbi Commencement Ceremony, including a posed photo and a photo as each graduate receives their diploma. After the ceremony, GradImages will email graduates with information on how to view and order their photos. Visit GradImages for more information.
For Guests
Transportation & Parking
Commencement day can be busy, so we recommend using public transportation to help avoid traffic and delays. Complimentary parking is available at USC parking structures on a first-come, first-served basis. For transit options and parking details, please visit the USC Commencement Transportation page.
Accomodations & Accessibility
Accessible seating, parking, mobility assistance, and other accommodations may be available. Please review the USC Commencement Accessibility Information page and graduates may indicate their guests needs in advance when they register for their Viterbi ceremony.
Tickets for Main Stage Ceremony
Tickets are required to attend the Main Stage Commencement Ceremony at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Eligible graduates who have completed their Viterbi Ceremony registration will receive Main Stage Ceremony tickets automatically populated in their USC ticketing accounts by the end of the day on Wednesday, April 21.
Eligible graduates will automatically receive one ticket for themselves as well as 10 guest tickets at no charge for the Main Stage Commencement Ceremony at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
No tickets are required for the Viterbi Ceremony.
Food & Dining around USC
Celebrate your graduation with a memorable meal by exploring Dining Options on campus and at USC Village, where you'll find a variety of restaurants, cafés, and convenient food options just steps from campus.
Capture Your Graduation Memories
Make the most of your time on campus and capture some special memories with your classmates, family, and friends! Celebrate your graduation with photos at iconic USC spots like Tommy Trojan, Alumni Park, and Doheny Library. Explore the USC Commencement Photo Gallery for inspiration!
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