Commencement 2025
Commencement
2025
Congratulations!
The SCU Commencement Ceremony marks the culmination of your academic journey and a moment to celebrate your incredible achievement. It’s a time to reflect, share joy with loved ones, and honor the hard work that brought you to this milestone.
At the ceremony, each graduate will cross the stage, hear their name announced, and receive a diploma cover in recognition of their degree or certificate. Friends and family are welcome to attend with a guest ticket.
All event details will be shared here, on SCU’s Commencement website, and directly via email to all eligible graduates.
If you have any questions, please contact us at studentservices@scuhs.edu
Ceremony Details
Date & Time
Monday, December 15th, 2025, 10am PST
Graduates
- Arrive no later than 8:00 AM. The ceremony begins promptly at 10:00 AM and concludes by 12:00 PM.
- Come dressed and ready to go! Wear professional attire under your gown.
- Wear your full regalia. Cap, gown, honor cord (if received), and academic hood (if applicable). Review the Getting Dressed How-To section on this page (located here) for details on how to wear your cap, gown, and hood.
- Leave personal belongings in your vehicle. There is no secure storage, and seating may shift during the event.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll walk to your seat, across the stage, and possibly use stairs and small steps
- Valet parking is available for $25.00, but may delay your arrival—arrive early
- No graduate check-in is required. Commencement staff will guide you. Your guests must check in separately.
- Alumni gifts will be available after the ceremony outside the Ballroom. These are first-come, first-served and only graduates may pick them up.
For Guests:
- All guests must have a ticket. Guest check-in opens at 8:30 AM. Each guest will receive a wristband upon entry.
- Ballroom seating also opens at 8:30 AM.
- Valet parking is available for $25.00. Expect delays—please plan ahead!
- Livestream access will be emailed to graduates the week of the ceremony. Share the link with family and friends who cannot attend in person.
- No strollers allowed inside the Ballroom (safety regulation).
- No pets, except pre-approved service animals (must be arranged in advance via Student Services).
- Accommodations available. Email studentservices@scuhs.edu for accessible seating, sign language interpreters, or service animal approval.
- Children ages 2+ require their own seat and guest ticket.
- Prohibited items: Balloons, streamers, confetti, noise makers (air horns, bells, etc.). Please help us maintain a respectful and celebratory atmosphere.
Venue Information
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach
21500 E Pacific Coast Hwy,
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Your ceremony will be held inside the Grand Ballroom and walking distance from the hotel. If you or someone you know would like to stay at the hotel, you may use this customized link to book a room. If you need assistance with booking a room, please contact the hotel directly at 714-698-1234.
The Hyatt is located near Main Street in Huntington Beach, California. There are many things to do such as walking the pier, go shopping visiting the beach or explore the museums – and there are many places to eat such as The Black Trumpet Bistro or Zero Zero Pizzeria. If you don’t want to stay at the Hyatt, there are many local hotel options such as the Pasea Hotel or Huntington Beach Inn. Visit Huntington Beach Surf Side website located here for access to a complete list of places to eat, visit, and stay at!
Parking
Valet parking is available for $25.00. Limited self-parking is available across the street at the beach for $15.00.
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
RSVP YOUR ATTENDANCE!
To attend the 2025 SCU Commencement Ceremony and receive guest tickets, you must RSVP. Please read carefully:
- Only graduates who RSVP by the deadline will receive guest tickets.
- Failure to RSVP will result in zero guest tickets being issued.
To RSVP and be eligible for guest tickets
- Complete the 2025 SCU Commencement Ceremony RSVP Form located here by October 31st at 5:00 PM PST.
- Every guest attending must have a ticket.
- Timely submission helps us finalize seating and assign guest ticket allotments.
- Submitting late will be considered a decision not to attend with guests.
Missed the deadline?
- Graduates may still participate in the ceremony, but will not receive any guest tickets.
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:
- Visit our vendor’s website here: collegegrad.herffjones.com
- Using the search field, enter: Southern California University of Health Sciences
- Enter your shipping address and follow the remaining steps.
- 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.
| Orders may begin on: | Last Day to Order: | Delivery Date: | Ceremony Date: | |||
| 1st Standard Opening | 3/25/2025 | 11/7/2025 | 12/8/2025 | 12/15/2025 | ||
| 2nd Rush Opening | 3/25/2025 | 11/24/2025 | 12/8/2025 | 12/15/2025 | ||
Guest Ticket Information
How to reserve your guest tickets
Ticket allotments for the ceremony are not yet available but will be finalized in November.
Before we can determine the number of guest tickets per graduate, we need to confirm how many graduates will be attending the ceremony. Once all RSVPs are collected, we will allocate guest tickets accordingly.
Complete the 2025 SCU Commencement Ceremony RSVP Form located here by October 31st at 5:00 PM PST.
We appreciate your patience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Name Change requests can also be made for the addition/removal of special characters, lower/upper case corrections, or misspellings.
The Registrar’s office sends the CBCE a packet on behalf of the DC graduates. It will consist of an official transcript, a copy of the diploma, Chiropractic College Certification with the breakdown of clinical hours, and a Verification of Pre-Chiropractic hours. Please allow 3-4 weeks after grades post for the information to be sent to the Board.
For additional questions and information regarding Petition to Graduate, Diplomas, Transcripts, etc. send an email to Registrar@scuhs.edu or call 562-947-8755 ext. 190.
Order graduation announcements, stoles, college ring, and other Herff Jones Graduation products designed for you by visiting https://www.herffjones.com/.
For additional questions and information regarding Regalia, the Commencement Ceremony, etc send an email to StudentServices@scuhs.edu
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:
- 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.
- 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):
- Once you are in your gown, first place your graduation stole around your neck, making sure the ends are at the same length.
- 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:
- Unfold your graduation hood with the colors facing outward and place it over your head.
- Attach the hood cord to your shirt button, or use a pin to keep the hood properly secured and positioned.
- Get some assistance to turn your colors out on the back, so they show.
- You can also carry your hood to your graduation ceremony to get some help!