Commencement FAQs for Guests

Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)

Baccalaureate

What is Baccalaureate? When and where do the ceremony and dinner take place?

Baccalaureate is a non-denominational, inter-faith celebration open to all students and their guests, taking place on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 5 p.m. in Bovard Auditorium. No tickets are required; seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. No regalia is required for students. Learn more about Baccalaureate.


Commencement

When and where does the main USC commencement ceremony take place?

The USC main commencement ceremony on Friday, May 12, 2023, in Alumni Park opens with a grand academic procession beginning at 8:30 a.m., followed by remarks by university leadership, the conferring of honorary degrees, addresses by the valedictorian and commencement speaker, and the formal transition—the turning of the mortarboard tassel from right to left—that marks the moment when members of the current graduating class officially become USC graduates and alumni. This ceremony is non-ticketed, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

When and where do the USC School of Dramatic Arts satellite commencement ceremonies take place?

The USC School of Dramatic Arts undergraduate ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. and the graduate ceremony will take place at 3 p.m., both on Friday, May 12, 2023, in the USC Bing Theatre.

There will be a live webcast of both ceremonies at their respective times.

A reception will follow both ceremonies in Queen’s Courtyard for graduates and their guests.

How many tickets will my student receive for their satellite ceremony?

Undergraduates

Due to the size of the undergraduate class and limited seating in the Bing Theatre, each qualified undergraduate candidate will receive up to three (3) tickets. 

Graduates

There are no tickets required for the graduate ceremony.

Are there accommodations for guests with disabilities?

For guests with disabilities, please visit the USC Commencement website for information regarding parking or seating. If assistance is needed for the USC School of Dramatic Arts ceremony, your graduate will need to indicate their guest’s needs when filling out the registration form. The student will be contacted in April to confirm any special instructions.

Is there free parking on Commencement Day?

Parking on campus is FREE on this day, but spaces fill up quickly. Additional parking is available at the University Parking Center, located on the corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Grand Avenue. Trams will be available to take guests from the Parking Center to campus.

Where can I go to get more information?

Additional information about the USC Commencement ceremony may be found on the USC Commencement website.

For inquiries about the School of Dramatic Arts satellite ceremony, please call 213-740-3149 or email sdaevent@usc.edu.