Grad checklist

ELIGIBILITY Undergraduates

Students who will earn a degree during the 2023-2024 academic year – Summer ’23, Fall ’23, Winter ’24, Spring ’24 (or who expect to complete their degree requirements during Summer ’24) – are eligible and welcome to participate in a Commencement ceremony. All undergraduates must submit a grad application to be eligible for Commencement. Graduates can register for their ceremony once their grad application has been marked as “received”. Confirm your graduation eligibility with your academic counselor. Find your counselor »

Graduate students

Graduate students who earned a degree during Fall ’23, Winter ’24, Spring ’24 (or who expect to complete their degree requirements during Summer ’24, Fall '24) – are eligible and welcome to participate in a Commencement ceremony. All Master’s candidates (except for M.F.A. candidates from Claire Trevor School of the Arts and the School of Humanities) participate in their school ceremony with baccalaureate candidates. Ph.D, D.N.P., and M.F.As participate in the Graduate Hooding Ceremony. Confirm your eligibility with Graduate Division »

THINGS TO DO BEFORE COMMENCEMENT Application for graduation

All undergraduate students must complete an Application for Graduation online at StudentAccess by the deadline set by your school. Application for Graduation deadlines occur throughout the year. Submit your application, then schedule a grad check with your Academic Counselor (not required for some majors).

Academic regalia, caps & gowns and tassels

Participation in Commencement is not mandatory. To participate in any Commencement or Graduate Hooding ceremony, all graduates must wear appropriate approved academic regalia. Members of religious orders or commissioned U.S. military officers may wear their customary habit or dress uniform. Purchase your appropriate and approved cap and gown from the UCI Alumni Association. Grad Expo Tuesday, April 23rd - Friday, April 26th, 2024 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily Newkirk Alumni Center Online ordering- date TBD. Early online orders can opt-in to pick up their regalia at Grad Expo April 23-26. Caps & gowns are not available for purchase on Commencement day. Regalia gowns may not be altered or decorated. Gowns must remain in the state they were purchased as that is the appropriate and approved regalia for our ceremonies. Caps can be decorated but must not block the view of any audience members behind the graduate. Sashes and stoles: UCI graduation sashes and stoles representing UCI organizations or proclaiming a vocational aspiration may be worn with cap and gown. Wearing multiple stoles is permitted. Stoles can be purchased at the Hill. Recognitions of achievement and affiliation: Recognition cords, pins and medals awarded by UCI organizations and academic departments may be worn with cap and gown. Cords are awarded and distributed to the graduates by their school.

Ticket reservations

Tickets are required for all guests at Commencement. Children who are under the age of 2 and can remain on an adult's lap for the duration of the ceremony do not need a ticket. If a child or baby occupies a seat of their own, they will need a ticket. All guests over the age of 2 will need their own ticket. Tickets are limited and must be reserved in advance by the graduate. Deadline for graduating students to register for Commencement is April 12 at 5p.m. Each graduate must download and print their own guest tickets for their ticketed event. Registered graduates will receive information for downloading their tickets in May. UCI graduates participating in Commencement do not need a ticket for themselves but must register to participate in the Commencement ceremony before registration closes April 12.

Downloading tickets

Graduates who register in April to participate in Commencement will receive email directions on how to download their guest tickets in late May. Downloading will begin on Wednesday May 22nd at 10:00am Please follow the instructions carefully.

Announcements, invitations & notes

Graduation announcements, thank you notes and a variety of paper goods can be ordered from Jostens Graduation Announcements More UCI and graduation-related items are available for purchase at The Hill.

Pre-order Commencement flowers and lei gifts

Commencement Flowers will have booths where you can purchase flower and lei gifts for your graduate before each celebration at the Bren Events Center. See the full selection of flower gifts for your graduate and more information about their products and flowers on their website. Pre-orders Order ahead. To pick up your order, give your name at one of Commencement Flowers booths in front of the Bren Events Center

Digital Commencement Program

The Commencement Program lists the names of all qualified students who applied on time for graduation. The digital program can be viewed on the Commencement website starting June 14.

Diploma name

Diplomas can have either your legal or preferred name. You may set your preferred name via StudentAccess. Requests for a preferred name may be submitted only by the student. You may submit a Request for Name Change to ask that your name to be changed on university records by early May 2024.

Senior Class Gift

Help inspire the next generation of Anteaters by leaving behind a bit of your class personality! UC Irvine landmarks such as the Student Center Bell Tower, the Peter the Anteater benches found across campus and class scholarships are the result of senior class energy and financial support. Visit UCI Giving for more information.

Yearbook

If you have any questions regarding the UCI Yearbook please contact info@yearbook.uci.edu or visit their website’s FAQ page here.

AWARDS & DISTINCTIONS Chancellor’s Award of Distinction

The Chancellor’s Award of Distinction recognizes an exceptional group of graduating students who exhibit a commitment to cutting-edge research, leadership, or service to UCI. The award recognizes UCI’s most outstanding undergraduates. Details and application »

Latin Honors

For questions regarding Latin Honors, please contact your school’s undergraduate counseling office. For information on any other celebration, please visit (add link to special celebrations page.

THE DAY OF YOUR SCHOOL CEREMONY

Guest tickets

Be sure to give tickets to your guests prior to your ceremony line-up time. Only guests with tickets will be admitted. Guests cannot enter the graduate line-up area.

Guest entrance

All guests need to have a ticket for entrance. Guests should plan to arrive early to allow ample time for parking and to clear all safety checks prior to entrance. Doors open 1 hour prior to each ceremony start time at the Bren Events Center. Please review "what to expect" below to prepare for your arrival and to be familiar ahead of time for what is and what is not allowed at the event.

Graduate lineup

Graduates are required to line up in their appropriate location 75 minutes (one hour and fifteen minutes) prior to the start time for your ceremony. This allows time to clear security, check in, receive graduate name card, make final review of your graduation regalia, find friends to sit next to and line up for the processional. Be sure to give tickets to your family/guests prior to your line-up time. Graduates should limit items they bring with them. Graduates will cross the stage with all items they have on them. Graduates should only bring necessary items- small purse, wallet, ID, and phone. Additional items will ensure a longer security process. Please make sure to review what is and is not allowed in the venue. No backpacks or large bags will be allowed in the graduate lineup area. There is no area for graduates to leave items during the ceremony. Graduates will not be able to enter the area if they bring backpacks or other items not allowed in the venue. Graduates will need to return these items to their car before gaining access to the lineup area.

What to expect

The ceremony will begin with a welcome, introductions to the platform party and some remarks by dignitaries. Speeches will be given by designated speakers and each graduate will be called forward to be recognized and congratulated by the dean of their school. There will be a recessional to exit the celebration, after which graduates will be able to greet family and friends. UCI Alumni Association hands out a gift to graduates at the end of the ceremony. Graduates will only receive this item in the graduate recessional line as they exit the ceremony. These gifts are not mailed out and are not available for pickup at any other time. This is a gift for those participating in commencement ceremonies and not a gift given to all graduates. Designate a post-ceremony meeting place with your family and guests ahead of time.. Graduates will not be allowed to leave early from the ceremony. Each ceremony will last 1.5 to 2 hours. Only clear bags will be permitted with a maximum size of 12"x12"x6" — the size of a one-gallon freezer bag. Bags, backpacks, large purses, etc., are no longer permitted with the exception of bags carried for medical reasons or manufactured diaper bags that accompany infants and young children. The Bren Events Center is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all patrons. Safety protocol will include a walk-through metal detector screening along with the standard bag check policy for all attendees prior to entering the facility. Graduates and Guests should plan their arrival accordingly to allow ample time for the screening process. In accordance with Bren Events Center and UCI policies, the following items are NOT permitted:

Alcohol
Animals, with the exception of trained disability service animals
Artificial noisemakers
Bottles, Cans or Coolers
Flash Photography
Glass
Outside food or beverage
Professional Cameras
Sealed or wrapped packages of any kind
Selfie Sticks, monopods, tripods or telescopic devices
Signs larger than 20" x 24"
Video recording devices
Weapons

For security purposes, all bags are subject to search prior to entry for any event. Full code of fan conduct »

Name cards to be used at Commencement

Graduating students will receive a printed name card at lineup before their ceremony. The name card is used to participate in the graduate's ceremony and help track their photos on stage. Upon reaching the stage, graduates give the name card to the announcer and the graduate’s name is read and displayed on screens above the stage as they are congratulated and photographed.

Graduate photographs

Professional photographers from Pro Pics will be at the ceremony to take portraits of every graduate. Photos of the graduates crossing the stage, as well as individual portraits on multiple backgrounds, will be available for purchase from Pro Pics following the ceremony. You can email questions about photos to info@propicsusa.com. There is no cost to have your photo taken and no obligation to purchase. Graduates or Guests will be responsible for payment of any photos that are ordered.

Honor your fellow graduates

This is an important day for Anteaters, their families and invited guests. Your courtesy and respectful decorum are appreciated. Graduates will not be permitted to leave the ceremony early. Only clear bags will be permitted with a maximum size of 12"x12"x6" — the size of a one-gallon freezer bag. Bags, backpacks, large purses, etc., are no longer permitted with the exception of bags carried for medical reasons or manufactured diaper bags that accompany infants and young children. The Bren Events Center is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all patrons. Safety protocol will include a walk-through metal detector screening along with the standard bag check policy for all attendees prior to entering the facility. Guests should plan their arrival accordingly to allow ample time for the screening process. In accordance with Bren Events Center and UCI policies, the following items are NOT permitted:

Alcohol
Animals, with the exception of trained disability service animals
Artificial noisemakers
Bottles, Cans or Coolers
Flash Photography
Glass
Outside food or beverage
Professional Cameras
Sealed or wrapped packages of any kind
Selfie Sticks, monopods, tripods or telescopic devices
Signs larger than 20" x 24"
Video recording devices
Weapons

For security purposes, all bags are subject to search prior to entry for any event. Full code of fan conduct »

AFTER THE CEREMONY

Diplomas

Diplomas are typically available four months after the end of the quarter in which the student graduated. Degrees are posted on official transcripts approximately six to seven weeks after the end of the quarter in which they are awarded. The degree award date is the last day of the graduating term, or for Summer Session, the last day of Summer Session II. When diplomas are available, students will be notified via their UCI email address or alternate email address provided on their Application for Graduation. Once notified, you may:

pick up your diploma at the Registrar's Office.
authorize another individual to pick up your diploma
authorize the Registrar to mail your diploma to you

To have your diploma mailed, complete and sign the applicable section of the Diploma Request Form, and send it to the Registrar's Office. Expedited mailing services are available for an extra fee. Graduate students from self-supporting graduate degree programs should submit their Diploma Request form with a check for $25 payable to UC Regents. Diplomas are sent via USPS certified mail to domestic addresses, or USPS registered mail to addresses outside the United States. Both services require a return receipt signature. Diploma frames and other display options are available at the The Hill's booths during the ceremonies and at the store. Diploma Size

Diplomas measure 8 1/2 inches high by 11 inches wide.
School of Law diplomas measure 11 inches high by 17 inches wide.
Medical Doctor (M.D.) diplomas measure 11 inches high by 17 inches wide.

For all questions regarding transcripts and other records information, please contact the University Registrar.

Digital Commencement Program

The digital Commencement Program lists the names of all qualified students who applied on time for graduation. The digital Commencement program can be found on the Commencement website starting June 14.

Photo proofs

STAYING IN TOUCH

UCI email accounts

Alumni have two options regarding their UCI email address: OIT Alumni Email options »

Join the UCI Alumni Association

The UCI Alumni Association looks forward to your participation in UCI’s alumni family and continuing your connection with UCI. Members can enjoy free permanent alumni email address forwarding, career services and discount programs. Your support also benefits student scholarships and fellowships. Join UCIAA now »