Frequently Asked Questions

Graduation is the completion of all degree requirements. A graduation application must be submitted for a given term during the academic year to notify the University that you are ready to complete your bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree program. All degree program coursework must be completed before the award date (end of the graduation term you applied for). Email GraduationOffice@cslanet.calstatela.edu with any questions about graduation.

Commencement is the ceremony that celebrates the completion of a degree with the ceremonial conferral of degrees. Participating in Commencement does not automatically mean that the student has graduated. Commencement is a separate process from graduating.

Commencement is the University ceremony that celebrates the completion of a degree with the ceremonial conferral of degrees. In addition, diploma covers are distributed during Commencement.

Cultural Graduate Celebrations are celebratory events that acknowledge the cultural influences and traditions that have contributed to the student’s academic success. Learn more on the Cultural Graduate Celebrations webpage.

You must sign up for Commencement and Cultural Graduate Celebrations separately. 

Yes. Commencement and the Cultural Graduate Celebrations are separate and you are welcome to sign up to participate in both.

All eligible graduating students will be automatically assigned to their respective ceremony based on their college, department, and degree. Please visit the Commencement Schedule webpage and scroll down to the Detailed Schedule section. Each date lists the college ceremony with the departments and majors.

Each ceremony will be between 1 hour and 30 minutes and 2 hours and 15 minutes, depending on the college ceremony. Out of respect for all our graduates and their family and friends, all attendees must stay for the entire duration of the event to not disrupt the ceremony. Please plan accordingly.

Graduates participating in the in-person Commencement ceremonies can reserve up to four guest tickets during the registration period in April 2023.

After the registration period, all unclaimed tickets per ceremony will be pooled and available to be reserved on a specific date in May on a first-come, first-served basis until all tickets are claimed. Graduates who registered to participate in Commencement will be eligible to reserve up to two additional guest tickets. Please note that each ceremony will only have a certain number of additional tickets available, and not all graduates will be able to get additional tickets.

Commencement guest tickets are free and cannot be bought or sold. Under no circumstance should an exchange of money occur for tickets. Tickets that are bought or sold will be invalidated by the University.

All guests 2 years of age and older must have a ticket to enter the venue. This includes caregivers. Infants (under 2 years old) will not be required to have a ticket if seated on a parent or guardian’s lap. Each guest ticket has a unique bar code. Once scanned, copies of the same ticket will not be valid.

Yes. Cal State LA is providing an alternate on-campus viewing location where guests can watch the livestream of each ceremony during Commencement. The alternate viewing location is in the Golden Eagle Ballrooms. The Golden Eagle Ballrooms are located on the third floor of the Golden Eagle building across from the University Bookstore. This location will not require tickets, and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The first row of all bleachers, and aisle seats at the floor level, will be marked as priority seating for guests with accessible seating needs. All seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

If guests require a wheelchair, please make arrangements on your own according to specific needs. Wheelchairs are not available on campus.

Strollers will not be allowed inside the venue. There are no designated check-in locations for strollers, so please leave them in your car.