Commencement 2026

Commencement
2026

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 21, 2026 at 10:00 am PST

Venue Information

Kia-Forum

Kia Forum

3900 W. Manchester Blvd.
Inglewood, CA 90305

The ceremony start time and additional details are still in development. We appreciate your patience and will share more information as it becomes available.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Diplomas are ordered by the Registrar’s Office through Parchment Award Service and will be mailed directly to students 4-6 weeks after the grades post.  A digital diploma will be available before the arrival of the paper diploma that can be used for licensing or employment.
Your name will appear on your diploma as it is recorded in the SCU Student System. However, you can submit a “Name Change” request to the Registrar’s Office.  This must be submitted before the diploma is ordered.  Name change requests may not reflect in the Commencement Ceremony booklet.

Name Change requests can also be made for the addition/removal of special characters, lower/upper case corrections, or misspellings.

Graduation details will be added to the transcript after all degree requirements have been confirmed.  This process can take up to 2 weeks after grades post.

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!

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!