Attendance & Guest Information

This is a ticketed event. All guests must have a ticket to enter the venue.

To be eligible to receive guest tickets:

• Graduates must RSVP by October 31, 2025, at 5:00 PM (PST).
• Ticket allotments are based on the total number of RSVPs received.
• Only graduates who submit the RSVP form by the deadline will receive guest tickets.
• Graduates who RSVP after the deadline may still participate in the ceremony, but will not receive any guest tickets.

Live Stream Access

Can’t attend in person? No problem!

The 2025 Commencement Ceremony will be live streamed online, so friends and family can celebrate your achievement from anywhere in the world. A streaming link will be emailed directly to all graduates one week prior to the ceremony.

The link can be shared with loved ones and viewed on any device—no account or login required.

Graduation vs. Commencement Ceremony

The commencement ceremony is held once a year at a specific location and time. It honors students who have either completed their program or will complete their program very soon. Participating in a commencement ceremony does not automatically mean the student has graduated from their program, which is why students are able to participate in this ceremony without completing their program/having final grades posted first.

The table below outlines when a student is eligible to participate in the ceremony. Students may request an exception to this policy by emailing Student Services Office StudentServices@scuhs.edu with reasons why you would like this exception. Approvals are determined on merit of the request such as circumstances out of their control. Exceptions are not given to students who encountered academic challenges and must complete their program on a different date.

To graduate from your program, each student must meet the graduation requirements for their program. This can include completing all classes with a satisfactory grade and grade point average (gpa). Students are required to petition to graduation via the University’s portal by the end of the second week of the term prior to their final term. To access the petition to graduate form, click here or visit the Transcripts & Registration tab via mySCU and click on Petition to Graduate form.

Awards

During the commencement ceremony, the University will recognize the following awards: Health Equity, University Valedictorian, and President’s Leadership. These awards are determined through panel interviews using ranked rubric scoring.

Prior to or after the commencement ceremony, each program can elect to give out unique awards or cords to their graduates. The recipients are determined entirely by their program. For more information about this process, please email your program Director or Dean.

University Valedictorian

The Valedictorian award symbolizes the highest award given at each commencement ceremony. The student receiving this award has achieved high academics; contributes to the growth and enhancement of SCU; has displayed dedication and commitment to growing as a leader, and goes above and beyond to assist others.

The Valedictorian is determined once a year during the fall term. Program leaders including Deans and Directors nominate students to receive this award. Each nominated student participates in a 30-minute interview with a panel of 4-5 SCU stakeholders such as program administrators and faculty. Each interviewer uses a ranked scoring rubric confidentially. Once all of the interviews have been completed, the scores are revealed and the student with the highest combined score receives the award.

The Valedictorian is invited to give a speech during the commencement ceremony, receives a medallion with their name engraved, and a signed and framed letter with the President of the University.

Honors Cords & Stoles

To determine if you are graduating with honors, review the University honors requirements located in the University Catalog.

The Office of the Registrar reviews the academic records of all candidates for degree conferral. Students who meet a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 (graduate) and 3.0 (undergraduate and certificate) are named to the Dean’s List which will be noted on the commencement ceremony program. Students graduating with a 3.75 will be designated as having graduated with Honors and will receive a gold honors cord and will be noted on the commencement ceremony program. We do not give out any other cords. All qualifying graduates will receive an email with pick up instructions a few weeks prior to the ceremony date.

One month prior to your ceremony, honor (gold) cord recipients will receive an email with pick-up instructions. You may either pick it up from an office on campus or on the day of your ceremony at the venue. We are unable to mail cords.

Commencement Ceremony Sash Guidelines

Graduates are welcome to create a personalized commencement sash to wear as part of their regalia. You may choose a vendor of your preference. If you wish to include your academic program’s logo on the sash, please email StudentServices@scuhs.edu to request it.

Please note: The use of the University’s institutional seal is prohibited. It is reserved exclusively for official documents such as diplomas and transcripts.

All regalia items must adhere to University policies. Any item that is deemed biased, disrespectful, or in violation of the student code of conduct will be confiscated, and the graduate may be asked to leave the ceremony immediately.

If you are unsure whether an item is appropriate, please contact StudentServices@scuhs.edu before the ceremony.

For more information about the University’s Integrity Code and Student Code of Conduct, click here.

Student Clubs: If your club would like to purchase sashes using club funds, please make sure you have enough funding to cover this purchase and then complete the check reimbursement form found under the mySCU > Clubs & Student Life tab.

Important Tasks

ORDER YOUR REGALIA

All graduates participating in the Commencement Ceremony are required to wear official SCU regalia. SCU does not provide extra regalia—please plan ahead and order on time.

How to order:

1. Visit our vendor’s website here: collegegrad.herffjones.com
2. Using the search field, enter: Southern California University of Health Sciences
3. Enter your shipping address and follow the remaining steps.
4. Announcements are available for purchase.

Selecting information:

• Last day to order is minimum 30 calendar days prior to your commencement ceremony date. If you need assistance with your order or if you missed order deadlines, please call Stephen R Hahn 1-800-837-4235, or email srhahn@herffjones.com.

Guest Ticket Information

How to reserve your guest tickets

Only graduates who have RSVP’ed to the ceremony will receive access to reserve guest tickets.

Each graduate may reserve up to 3 guest tickets for the event. Please note: We do not have any additional tickets.

Steps to Reserve Your Guest Tickets: 

1. Visit the ticketing website Universe Tickets
2. Click on the date of the event.
3. Enter Your Access Key:
   • This is your SCU email address in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS.
   • Example:ROBERTJONES@SCUHS.EDU
4. Print or Download Your Tickets:
   • Important: Make sure to download your tickets and save them to your mobile wallet or desktop, or print them out. Each ticket has a QR code that will be scanned at the entrance.
   • Your guest will receive a wristband upon entry. Only guests with wristbands will be allowed into the ceremony.
5. DEADLINE! Dec 13th at 5:00 PM PST the ticketing system will be turned off.

Can I give my guest ticket to someone else? Yes! We will not check ID or verify the guest’s name on the ticket. We encourage graduates who do not need their tickets to offer them to others.

Q&A – Please read carefully!

Only graduates who confirm their attendance to the ceremony will have access to reserve guest tickets. If you have questions about our ticket process, links, or ceremony, please email StudentServices@scuhs.edu.

1. How many tickets does each graduate receive?  Each graduate who RSVPed their attendance to the ceremony will receive 3 guest tickets.
2. How much do commencement tickets cost? They are free.
3. How do I reserve tickets? Visit the ticketing website Universe Tickets . Only graduates who RSVP their attendance to the ceremony can access the site. Follow the directions above carefully.
4. What are the rules about guest names on tickets? We trust you to be professionals and write proper names for each ticket. If you decide someone else will receive a ticket, you do not need to change the name on the ticket. You can put any proper name on any ticket and mix up the recipients. We simply scan the QR code on each ticket and handout a wristband. We do not check ID. Remember = one QR code per entry.
5. Does my infant need a ticket? Children 2 years old and older are required to have their own seat/ticket.
6. Is there a deadline to receive tickets? Yes! Dec 13th at 5:00 pm PST will be the last day guest tickets are claimed. Unclaimed tickets will be made available to guests in the stand-by line. There are no exceptions to this date.
7. I reserved 1 out of 2 guest tickets but I want more, what now?Revisit the ticketing website and reserve the rest of your guest tickets. Your guest tickets will be available to you until Dec 13th at 5:00 pm PST.
8. Do I include myself in my ticket reservations? No. Tickets are for your guests only. You do not need a ticket to enter the ceremony.
9. How does my guest present their ticket at the venue? Each guest must present their unique QR code at the entrance to the venue. The ticket email describes ways to present their ticket such as: print out the email or download the QR code to Apple Wallet or Google Play.
10. Can I give my ticket(s) away? Yes! The graduate will reserve their guest ticket and then forward the ticket confirmation email to the person they would like to give your ticket to. Ex: you would like to give 1 out of your 2 guest tickets to someone else, you will reserve 2 tickets and forward only one ticket confirmation email to that person while keeping one ticket confirmation email for yourself.
11. Will there be a stand-by line? Yes. We will have a stand-by line available for guests who do not have a ticket. This will be first come first serve and only available if guests are a no-show. There are no guarantees any guests in this line will be allowed into the venue. Stand-by guests will be slowly allowed into the venue after the ceremony begins and will miss the first 30 minutes of the ceremony.  Please note: Last year, we were unable to release anyone from this line into the venue.
12. What if my guest forgets to bring their ticket or loses it? Guests with no ticket can wait in the stand-by line. This will be first come first serve and only available if guests are a no-show. There are no guarantees any guests in this line will be allowed into the venue. Stand-by guests will be slowly allowed into the venue after the ceremony begins and will miss the first 30 minutes of the ceremony.  Please note: Last year, we were unable to release anyone from this line into the venue.
13. What if my guest needs accommodations at the ceremony? The Hyatt is ADA accessible.  If you or your guest need an accommodation for the ceremony, please contact Student Services and describe the accommodation needed so that staff can properly prepare for their arrival.

Remember – this event is live streamed! Everyone can watch.

Commencement Attire Guide

Check out these ‘How To’ videos!

• How to wear your certificate/bachelors regalia!
• How to wear your masters regalia!
• How to wear your doctorate regalia!

What do you wear under your cap and gown?

What you wear under your cap and gown is about comfort and style! Think business-casual dress, and remember: your shirt collar or dress top will show. Wear comfortable shoes suited for the surface — a football field? Stairs to climb or descend? Check to see what the temperature will be during the ceremony and make sure you are prepared. Most importantly, wear something that won’t distract from the formality of the ceremony and is the right fit for post-ceremony dinner or an outing with family and friends.

How do you wear a mortarboard?

Wear your mortarboard like the academic pro you are. Place the cap on your head so the point is in the front, about 1 inch above the eyebrows. Your mortarboard should be worn level on your head, and the tassel should be placed on the right side.

How do you iron a graduation gown?

If you choose to iron your graduation gown, here are a couple of quick tips:

1. Turn the gown inside out and use the “Warm” setting on your iron. If you are ironing your stole, iron it face down, not directly on the stitching on the front.
2. Move the iron continuously; don’t stay too long in one spot! Hang the gown to keep it wrinkle-free. You can use a steamer on your graduation stole, too!

What side do you wear your graduation cap tassel?

Wear your graduation tassel on the right side of your mortarboard. When you have received your diploma, you will be told to flip your tassel to the left side!

How do you wear honor cords at graduation?

Here’s how to properly wear your graduation honor cord(s):

1. Once you are in your gown, first place your graduation stole around your neck, making sure the ends are at the same length.
2. Place your honor cord(s) on top of your graduation stole, again making sure the cords are at the same length.

How do you wear a post-graduate hood at graduation?

To wear your graduation hood, follow these tips:

1. Unfold your graduation hood with the colors facing outward and place it over your head.
2. Attach the hood cord to your shirt button, or use a pin to keep the hood properly secured and positioned.
3. Get some assistance to turn your colors out on the back, so they show.
4. You can also carry your hood to your graduation ceremony to get some help!