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2025 GEPA Commencement FAQ

Commencement Eligibility Questions

I’m a Rady/GPS/HWSPH graduate student, is this where I should register for my graduate ceremony?

This year, your respective school (Rady/GPS/HWSPH) is hosting its own commencement ceremony, separate from the GEPA ceremony. Please go to this page and scroll down for details on the commencement ceremonies available. Your school will be listed there.

Am I eligible to participate in the GEPA Commencement Ceremony this June?

You are eligible to participate in the GEPA commencement ceremony if you finished in Fall 2024 or finish in Winter, Spring or Summer 2025.

Can I still attend the June 2025 ceremony if I'm defending in spring/summer of this year (2025)?

Yes.  You must fulfill all degree requirements before the end of the summer 2025 quarter, Friday September 5, 2025.

I finished my PhD program/defended my thesis last summer in 2024. Even though my year isn’t listed as eligible, can I still participate in the GEPA commencement ceremony this June 2025?

No. You must have completed all requirements for the PhD, or are planning to, in Fall 2024 or Winter, Spring or Summer of 2025.

Should I attend All Campus Commencement? What is the difference?

All Campus Commencement ceremony features a keynote speaker and is open to all undergraduate and advanced-degree graduates, but does not include a hooding ceremony or individual name reading. All Campus will take place at the RIMAC field. More information about the All Campus ceremony can be found on the ceremony’s website. 

  • The GEPA Master’s ceremony will take place at Rimac Field on Friday June 13, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.
  • The Doctoral/MFA ceremony will take place inside of LionTree Arena on Sunday June 15, 2025 at 2:00pm and will include a hooding ceremony.

General information on graduation ceremonies:

Guest/Visitor Questions

How many guests can I bring?

The GEPA commencement ceremonies are not ticketed and there is no limit on the number of guests a graduate can invite. Seating is on a first come-first seated basis. While we have not had to turn guests away, please be advised admission is based on space availability, so please arrive early!

Additional guest information can be found here.

My family is traveling from another country. Can you provide an invitation letter for them to provide the embassy as proof of reason for travel?

Unfortunately, we do not provide personal letters of invitation. You may find more information on the ISEO website or reach out to your department for assistance.

Where should we park?

For parking you will need to follow campus signage the day of commencement. Additional parking information can be found here.

Is there ADA seating available? Can we reserve it?

Yes, there is limited ADA seating available. Seats for all guests are provided on a first-come, first-seated basis. We are unable to make seat reservations for you, though in the past there have been plenty of ADA seats for those who require them in the arena. 

Additional ADA information can be found here.

Will there be transportation to assist those who are disabled to the GEPA Commencement Ceremonies?

Yes, please visit the Triton Mobility page for more information.

Will the GEPA ceremonies be streamed online?

Yes, the ceremonies are streamed on the UC San Diego Commencement website. 

Regalia Questions

How do I order regalia?

You may purchase regalia through the UCSD Bookstore or at the Grad Fair on May 6-8, 2025.

Can I wear the undergrad academic gown from previous years to graduation?

As a PhD candidate, your regalia is different from that of undergrads. You must have a robe, cap and hood to participate and they all must be black.

Are the cap and gown for the Master's ceremony the same ones as the undergraduate ceremony?

Yes, but the stole and tassel will be different.

Can I wear a robe for commencement that is blue or gold?

No. UCSD robes are black, only.

Hooding Questions

I don’t know who to list as my hooding advisor. Do you have a suggestion?

If you do not list a hooding advisor, your Department Representative will hood you during your ceremony.

My hooding advisor has told me they are not available to hood me, what should I do now?

If your hooding advisor is not available to hood you, your department representative will hood you during your ceremony. If you have another specific advisor you would like to have hood you, please email us with their full name and email address so we can update your registration information and send them a hooding advisor invitation. Please make sure to remind your hooding advisor that they also need to register for the commencement ceremony using the link that we send them. 

I’m a graduating Doctoral/MFA student. Can my hooding advisor be someone who isn’t affiliated with UCSD?

Yes, the only requirement is that your hooding advisor must hold a Ph.D. It is not required that the individual be affiliated with UCSD. 

Faculty Questions

Can you please provide some information on what being a faculty representative entails?

The department representative sits on stage with the rest of the platform party. They shake the hand of their graduates, and in the case that a doctoral grad in their dept doesn't have another hooding advisor, they will hood them. They are not required to read any names (we have name readers for that.)

HELPFUL LINKS

Proposition 209 Compliance

In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories. All programs and initiatives coordinated by the University of California Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs are designed and implemented in full compliance with Proposition 209 and the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy.

More information about Proposition 209 can be found here.

More information about the University of California Anti-Discrimination Policy can be found here.