PhD Hooding Ceremony - USC Viterbi

VITERBI CLASS OF 2026 COMMENCEMENT

PhD Hooding Ceremony

Everything you need to celebrate your achievement.

Viterbi PhD Hooding Information

For Viterbi PhD graduates interested in participating in the 2026 PhD Hooding Ceremony, please complete the 2026 Viterbi PhD Hooding Ceremony Student Participation Form before March 15th, 2026.

Your participation in the hooding ceremony is subject to your dissertation chair's approval.

If you are approved, you will then receive further instructions from the Viterbi commencement registration platform, Tassel (formally known as Marching Order), to complete your ceremony registration by March 31st, 2026

Wednesday, May 13

7:30-8:00 AM: Graduate check-in
8:00-8:30 AM: Doors open for graduates and guests, graduates will sit in assigned seats, guests will have general seating.
8:30-10:30 AM: PhD Hooding Ceremony
10:30 AM -12:30 PM: PhD Hooding Reception

Students have the option to purchase or rent their cap and gown (regalia), please visit the USC Bookstore website for more information.

Rent Regalia. Students who rent regalia may keep the cap and tassel. The gown and hood should be returned immediately following the ceremony at the USC Bookstore.

Purchase Regalia

PhD Hoods are dark blue.
Graduates must be wearing robes and caps in order to enter the venue. Graduates are advised to bring their doctoral hood with the button unfastened.
Tassels should be worn on the right side of the cap.

Reception with light refreshments following the ceremony at Associates Park, behind Bovard Auditorium.

Wednesday, May 13
10:30 AM -12:30 PM

Associates Park North and South
3551 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089

Location & Information

Check In: Lineup in Trousdale Parkway Lawn in front of Bovard Auditorium

All graduates must wear regalia to participate

Do NOT bring backpacks, purses, flowers, etc

Drop regalia in bins by bookstore after ceremony

Follow ushers to guide you through experience

Check In: Lineup in Trousdale Parkway Lawn in front of Bovard Auditorium

All graduates must wear regalia to participate

Do NOT bring backpacks, purses, flowers, etc

Drop regalia in bins by bookstore after ceremony

Follow ushers to guide you through experience

Your Graduation Checklist

USC Main Ceremony

at LA Memorial Coliseum

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Viterbi Phd
Hooding Ceremony
Participation

Apply Now

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Regalia & Gear

Buy/ Rent Regalia from the Bookstore

Order Now

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Main Ceremony Tickets

Guest Ticketing Information for the Main Ceremony

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Photos and Mementos

Class Mementos, Photos, Custom Sashes, Yearbooks and more!

Buy Now

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Clear Bag Policy

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Arriving on Campus

Accessibility, Dining & Accomodation, Parking & Transit Information

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All Set to Graduate!

You're almost done! Complete the Post-Graduation Survey.

Take the Survey Now!

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Important Information & Resources

Ticketing: No tickets are needed for this Viterbi ceremony.

Tickets are required only for the main ceremony on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. View Main Stage Ceremony ticketing information.

Tickets are required only for ceremonies at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Events held on campus do not require tickets.

Tickets will automatically populate in the USC ticketing accounts of eligible graduates by the end of the day on Wednesday, April 22.

Accommodations:
We are committed to ensuring that all graduates and guests have an accessible and enjoyable Commencement experience. When graduates register for the ceremony, they are asked to note if they and/or their guest(s) require accommodations.

Once the procession begins, standing in aisles inside the main auditorium is prohibited due to fire codes, and will be monitored by a fire marshal. A photographer will take pictures of graduates as they proceed to the stage and while on stage. We ask that all guests remain seated during the ceremony. Guests may not congregate in the aisles or open spaces due to fire codes. Large video screens are available and will make it easier for families and friends to see graduates as they process to the stage.

The photography company Grad Images to take photos during the Viterbi Commencement Ceremony. The photographer will be taking a posed photograph and a photograph for each graduate when they receive their diploma. Grad Images will reach out to the graduates via email to order photos after the ceremony.

For information on how to order USC custom graduate announcements, class rings, and diploma frames, please visit the USC Bookstore.

Stoles, or sashes, are optional purchases and can be ordered with the USC logo or embroidered university seal, and can be customized with fraternity/sorority crests, graduation year, or other commemorative marks. Stoles can be purchased at the USC Bookstore or online.