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Psychology Diploma Ceremony

Commencement

Sunday, June 16, 2024

We are looking forward to coming together to celebrate the Class of 2024 on Sunday, June 16! Please fill out this form if you intend to participate in the Psychology Diploma Ceremony. For more information about the University-wide commencement ceremony, please visit the main University commencement site

Below is information about what to expect at the departmental ceremony.

General Information

Location

Ford Center Plaza (map)

Time

Graduating students should plan to be on site by 12:00pm. The ceremony will begin at 1:00pm and will last until approximately 2:30pm.

Food

There will be a reception before the ceremony beginning at 11:30 in the Arrillaga Center for Sports and Recreation. Light refreshments and beverages will be served.

Seating and Ticket Information

Tickets are not required, and there is no reserved seating for your guests. All seating is on a first-come basis, but there will be plenty of seating and refreshments for all graduates and guests.

Photography 

GradImages will provide professional photography at the event. You may also take photographs: however, we politely ask that you leave the photography area once your graduate has walked across the stage so other guests may have the opportunity to take pictures and/or videos.

Wheelchair Seating, Accessibility, and Other Services

There will be a marked section of chairs for guests with wheelchairs and their families. For general information about disability resources, such as access and/or sign language interpretation throughout Commencement Weekend, please see the University's page on disability resources.

Parking

Parking for the main Commencement ceremony is available in the parking lots surrounding the Stadium. Please note that some lots require a permit. Parking for guests with state-issued or temporary disabled parking permits is available in the Varsity Lot. Due to road closures and limited parking near the diploma ceremony area, we recommend leaving your car near the stadium and walking to the department ceremony. There will be an hour between the two events to allow guests and graduates to walk between sites.

Disability resources

Additional commencement weekend information

For Graduates

Attendance & Name Pronunciation

Whether or not you plan to confer your degree this Spring, please submit this form and name pronunciation form if you intend to participate in the Psychology Diploma Ceremony.

Cap & Gown

Beginning March 5, 2024, you can pre-order your cap and gown online. You can view more information and deadlines here.

PhD students: if you have questions about the traditional regalia for Psychology PhDs, please refer to the Commencement website. At the ceremony, do not put your hood on – hold it on your left arm, so your advisor or the Chair can hood you on stage when your name is announced.

Arrival Time

Please be at the site by 12:00 in order to check in. The check in desk will be located in front of the Arrillaga Center for Sports and Recreation (facing Ford Center Plaza).

Procession

When you sign in at the check-in desk, we will give you an index card with your name and a number on it. Please be at the site by 12:00 pm in order to pick up your line-up card. The line-up number will put you in alphabetical order by degree. Line up beings at 12:40pm  inside the Ford Center according to the number on your card. Faculty will be first in line, followed by the Ph.D. students, followed by undergraduates and co-terminal students in alphabetical order.  

Faculty will lead the procession of students through the audience. Faculty will continue on up to be seated on the stage. Students will file into the first two rows of the audience in their line-up order and will remain standing until being instructed to sit down after remarks from the Chair. After speeches, in preparation for diploma distribution, the Student Services team will request that individual seated rows of students stand up and file to the right side of the tent.  

If you are a PhD student:  When you hear your name, you will proceed onto the stage on the right side with your hood in your left hand. Give your hood to your faculty advisor (who will be standing on stage) and turn so your back is facing your advisor. S/he will place the hood on you and give you your diploma. Shake hands with your faculty advisor, pause for a picture taken by the professional photographer, then leave the stage down the stairs on the left and return to your seat.

If you are a BA student:  When you hear your name, you will proceed onto the stage on the right side. A faculty member will give you your diploma. Shake hands with the faculty member, pause for a picture taken by the professional photographer, then leave the stage down the stairs on the left and return to your seat.

At the end of the ceremony, the Chair of the Psychology Department will announce your graduation year. At this point you may toss your caps in the air and cheer.

Information about ordering caps, gowns, and announcements

Additional commencement weekend information

Information about traditional academic regalia