Resources

The commencement venue is fully accessible and meets all ADA standards including all processional routes along the ceremony site.  Special seating for graduates with disabilities will be limited and is first-come first-served. Because of limited seating capacity, guests with disabilities may be accompanied by one party member in the special seating section. Every effort will be made to seat other members in the closest adjacent seating area possible. Also, there will be a live telecast room with live captioning at the Planetarium (Citrus Hall) and Nobbs Auditorium (Sequoia Hall). Ushers at the commencement site will be available to assist and direct you to these locations. 

For graduates with disabilities electing to march and be seated with their Colleges, ushers will be made available to assist them during the processional and recessional. Please contact the Office of Student Development & Transitional Programs at (818) 677-2393 prior to the Commencement Ceremonies to arrange for assistance.

Wheelchairs, Trams, & Carts
Due to the number of expected participants and guests at Commencement, graduates, their families and guests are reminded that the University is unable to provide wheelchairs, walkers and other assistive devices of a personal nature. Trams and other transport vehicles will not be available. Please review parking information to best assess the most comfortable parking location for your family and guests.

Herff Jones works alongside the CSUN Campus Store to provide graduates with Caps and Gowns (sometimes referred to as 'Graduation Regalia').  

Graduates will have the opportunity to purchase their cap and gown during GradFest. For more details visit our GradFest Page.

Click here for Campus Store hours.

Students who may participate in the 2024 Commencement Ceremony are those who have earned their degrees at the conclusion of the Fall 2023 Semester, and those who expect to earn their degrees at the conclusion of the Spring 2024 or Summer 2024 semesters. Candidates must have submitted an application to Admissions and Records by March 2024. Failure of this submission may result in not being eligible to participate in the 2023 Commencement Ceremony.

Alumni

Alumni Relations
(818) 677-2786

Assistance for Graduates and Guests with Disabilities

Disability Resources and Education Services office
(818) 677-2684

Office of Student Development & Transitional Programs
(818) 677-2393

Cap and Gown Rental

CSUN Campus Store
(818) 677-2932

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Graduates and Guests

National Center on Deafness
(818) 677-2054 V/TTY

Participation and Diplomas

Undergraduate Degree Services
(818) 677-3781

Graduate Studies
(818) 677-4800

Health & Safety 

Klotz Student Health Center 
(818) 677-3666

CSUN Department of Police Services
(818) 677-2111

General Information

Office of Student Development & Transitional Programs
(818) 677-2393

All eligible Graduates will receive an email on ticketing information in early March 2024 providing instructions on how to access and utilize the ticketing platform.  Through this platform graduates will be able to confirm, and download/email their guest tickets within a given window.  Here are some additional notes about guest ticketing:

• Tickets are limited and free of charge. 
• Grads will be provided six to seven guest tickets which can be confirmed and downloaded via the the Ticketing platform within the ticketing window.

For questions or concerns, please email commencementtickets@csun.edu

Click here for a Commencement Venue Map

Click here for Commencement Venue Entrances (Navigation from parking lots)

 Interpreting services for deaf and hard of hearing graduates and guests will be available in a reserved area at each site. Graduates will line up at the graduate check-in area. Look for the designated area marked, "Deaf and Hard of Hearing". A processional marshal will lead graduates to the correct seating location. If you have special needs, please notify the National Center on Deafness at (818) 677-2614 (V/TTY).

Police officers from the Department of Police Services and medical staff from the Student Health

Center will be on duty during the Commencement exercises to provide first aid assistance in the event of any medical emergencies or illnesses. Police officers will provide the normal standard of public safety services and both police officers and student Community Service Assistants in red and black uniforms are available to assist guests with lost members, directions and many other services.

Note: It will not be possible for any guest to be paged.

Arrival Time (Graduates & Guest):

Graduates and guests are expected to arrive at least 90 minutes early to account for traffic, checking in, bag check, line up and seating.

Graduate Entrances:

Graduates will check in at the campus store lawn and connect with commencement staff to receive their official printed name card. We ask at this time for all graduates to verify that their student ID number is accurately reflected on their name card to ensure for a smooth transition.

Once checked-in and inside the venue all graduates will proceed to line up on the South library Lawn with their major/department. Please view the venue entrances and commencement site map to familiarize yourself with how the venue will be set up. Both of these can also be located on the homepage of our commencement website.

Parking:

CSUN Graduation Parking fees will be waived for all Commencement ceremonies, for additional information on directions and parking please visit the following link.

Please click here to view the different venue entrances based on where graduates/guest parked for the event.

Guest Entrances and Tickets:

There will be four entrance gates operational for guests (West, East, Southwest, Southeast). Guest are expected to have their printed tickets out and ready for scanning upon arrival. Guests will be asked to pass through metal detectors and have their tickets scanned before entering the venue.

Please make sure you resend/print your tickets to ensure that all tickets have remained in the account and the QR codes are the most update ones. To print your commencement tickets please log into your Marching Order account: https://csun.marchingorder.com/#/

In order to help your guests with accessing the venue, passing through security check in and locating the different entrances please view the venue entrances, nonprohibited items and commencement site map for more information.

All of these can also be located on the homepage of our commencement website.

NOTE: If someone sent you their tickets, we have no way to see how many other people they sent them to. This means if the ticket comes out as invalid/scanned in, then the ticket was used by someone else. Every ticket has a unique QR code so no matter how many times you email/print them, they will remain the same tickets.

Accessibility:

The commencement venue is fully accessible and meets all ADA standards including all processional routes along the ceremony site. Although the campus is completely accessible there is some distance between all parking lots/structures to the actual venue. Unfortunately, trams and other transport vehicles will not be available. Please review parking information to best assess the most comfortable parking location for your family and guests.

For graduates with disabilities electing to march and be seated with their colleges, ushers will be made available to assist them during the processional and recessional. Please contact the Office of Student Development & Transitional Programs at (818) 677-2393 prior to the Commencement Ceremonies to arrange for assistance

Alternative Viewing Areas (Non-ticketed Locations):

There will be several auditoriums/rooms adjacent to the ceremony site which do not require tickets to enter. These rooms can also be used to get out of heat/cold should the weather be uncomfortable to some populations.  The telecast/broadcast rooms will include: The Planetarium (near Citrus Hall), Nobbs Auditorium (SQ 104), Johnson Auditorium (by Jacaranda Hall), and others as needed. Ushers will be available on site to assist you with locating these areas.

Inclement Weather:

Should inclement weather arise prior or during a commencement ceremony, the University President can cancel or expedite the ceremony. For additional information in regards to our university protocols please visit the following link.

Live Streaming of the Ceremony:

The commencement ceremonies will be available on YouTube and Facebook Live for any guest who cannot attend in person. Click here to view the live stream. 

Graduates who missed their ceremony, or had to leave early, and were unable to receive distributed materials can pick them up in a variety of locations (while supplies last) after the ceremonies have concluded. These items will be available while supplies last. 

• DIPLOMA COVER
  These can be picked up at the Office of Student Development & Transitional Programs and the office of Undergraduate Degree Services.
• COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM BOOK
  These can be picked up at the Office of Student Development & Transitional Programs
• HONORS CONVOCATION MEDALLION
  These can be picked up at the Office of Student Development & Transitional Programs and the CSUN Campus Store.

The Office of Student Development is located in the University Student Union (USU Room 113SW) directly across (south) from “The Freudian Sip".

Alumni

Alumni Relations
(818) 677-2786

Assistance for Graduates and Guests with Disabilities

Disability Resources and Education Services office
(818) 677-2684

Office of Student Involvement and Development
(818) 677-2393

Cap and Gown Rental

Herff Jones (working with CSUN Campus Store)

Financial Wellness & Credit Union Services

Premier America Credit Union
(800) 772-4000

Other Graduation Items

CSUN Campus Store 

(818) 677-2932

Class Rings

Herff Jones 
800-837-4235 

Customized Sashes

CSUN Campus Store
(818) 677-2932 

Pridesash
(310) 973-0106

Diploma Frames

CSUN Campus Store
(818) 677-2932

Flowers and Commemorative Attire (t-shirts/sweatshirts) at Graduation

The Commencement Group
Pre-Orders now available

Graduation Announcements

Herff Jones
(310) 641-5535

In order to check-in, graduates should arrive robed and ready to line-up for the processional 60 to 90 minutes before the ceremony is to begin. This is to ensure that you collect your 'official name card' and go through the safety screening (using magnetometers/metal detection devices) as you enter the graduate line up area. 

Please review these bullets below for further context:

• YOU MUST HAVE A NAME CARD TO PARTICIPATE IN YOUR CEREMONY. Name cards will be distributed by last name on the CSUN Campus Store lawn which is adjacent to the graduate entrance. If cards become available prior to your ceremony, we will notify you by CSUN email
• Students must retain the official name card until collected by the name reader during the ceremony near the stage.
• If a graduate should arrive late for any reason they would still check in at the South end of the Sierra Quad and staff will assist them to their seat.
• Look for the directional signs to the graduate check-in. Faculty and staff from your college will be supervising the line-up procedure for the processional, Please follow their instructions.

Commencement is a dignified occasion. Participants are expected to conduct themselves accordingly. Graduates and families look forward to this milestone with excitement and anticipation. Students and guests are expected to remain seated until the ceremony has concluded.

Alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. Any alcoholic beverages discovered on the premises will be confiscated. Any graduate or guest obviously intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance will be removed from the Commencement site and potentially subject to arrest.

CSUN HONORS CONVOCATION

Each year CSUN recognizes outstanding undergraduate and graduate degree recipients by inviting them to participate in the Honors Convocation ceremony. Students meeting the established criteria will receive an official invitation to the ceremony in April. In addition, each student will have their name and award included in a souvenir program, and will be invested with a Medallion at the Convocation ceremony.

Participation in the 2024 Honors Convocation is limited to undergraduate and graduate students who have received or are candidates for a degree in Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024. Students receiving a credential or certificate are not eligible for this recognition. Students may participate in Honors Convocation no more than one time for each undergraduate or graduate degree earned. Students become eligible for participation in Honors Convocation based on meeting one of the following criteria:

Scholastic Recognition

• All graduating seniors (Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024) with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or better as of Fall 2023 are eligible for recognition.
• All graduating masters students within this same time holding a cumulative GPA of 3.885 or better as of Fall 2023 are also eligible for recognition.
• Students who successfully apply for graduation and meet the GPA requirements listed above, should automatically receive an invitation to the ceremony by the University President.

Personal Recognition and Nominations

• All graduating students (undergraduate and graduate degree recipients for Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024) can be nominated for recognition, and if meeting a 3.0 GPA, will be invited to this ceremony to receive the honor of "Personal Recognition".  This opportunity is advertised to all Faculty, Staff, and Administrators across campus who are sent a link to access an online submission form. 
• Examples of this type of recognition include awards and/or department scholarships that recognize demonstrated excellence of an artistic, creative, or athletic nature, the display of leadership ability, or outstanding community service

The Department of Police Services maintains a centralized lost and found service for the California State University, Northridge community. In the event you lose an item during Commencement, a University police officer or Community Service Assistant can direct you to Police Services Headquarters to file a lost report or check on lost property turned in to the Department of Police Services.

For a tutorial on how to complete your name verification and ticketing, please click here. 

• Parking charges will be waived for Honors Convocation and on the dates Commencement ceremonies are scheduled.
• Graduates are encouraged to refer to the Commencement website for the most up to date information.
• For all Commencement Ceremonies, the most convenient parking is on the west side of the campus (Lots B1, B2, and the B3 Parking Structure). Please have your guests enter the campus at Nordhoff and Darby (1 block east of Reseda Bivd.) and follow the signs to the closest available parking.
• Parking for persons with disabilities are available in all lots.  They are most populated in Parking Lots B1, B2, and on all levels of the B3 Parking Structure. A current state issued "Disabled Person Parking Placard" or "Disabled Person/Veteran" license plate, issued to an occupant of the vehicle, will be required to park in an ADA stall.
• Parking Maps and Driving Directions can be found by clicking here. 

Note: Graduates and Guests may be directed to overflow parking in the B5 Parking Structure in the event of an exceptionally large turnout. Additional parking for all ceremonies will be available in Lot G3, G4, F5, and F6.
Warning: Please note that although permits will not be enforced, all other violations, e.q. red zone, blocking, etc., will be enforced.

For Directions to CSUN click here.

All ceremonies are expected to reach maximum guest capacity. The saving of seats is strictly prohibited as seating is first come first served.

We highly encourage guests to arrive with all their party members at least 90 minutes prior to the ceremony start time.
Seating charts will be available for guests at the information tents. Similarly, commencement programs will be available at the same location but are limited to one per group. Please be aware that your graduate will be provided with their own program as well.

For those graduates who do not attend Commencement may visit the Office of Student Development & Transitional Programs after the ceremonies have concluded to receive a printed program. Baccalaureate, Master's, and Doctorate candidate names are listed by College or by Special/Multi-Major sections, and Honors candidates will also be listed in a special section of the program.

Note: Due to press deadlines, the printed program is not a definitive list of all graduates. Further, some students have requested that their names not be published and, therefore, will not appear in the Commencement printed program.

GENERAL SAFETY MEASURES:

It is our top priority to ensure a safe and memorable experience for all of our graduates and guests at the CSUN commencement ceremonies. To help ensure we achieve these goals, all persons entering the commencement venue will be required to go through a security checkpoint that includes a metal detector screening and bag check.

To ensure passage through security checkpoints and timely access to the facility, we highly encourage all guests to arrive at least 60 to 90  minutes prior to the start of the commencement ceremony start time. Guests will not be allowed to enter the venue with more than one bag. This bag should be easily checked; large backpacks will be prohibited. All weapons (including pocket knives) and glass bottles of any kind (wine, beer, and soft drinks) will also be strictly prohibited. 

Strollers may be allowed into the commencement venue however, will not be permitted in grandstands and in aisle ways. Guests may leave strollers in a designated area outside the commencement venue at their own risk. To be considerate to other guests and graduates we ask that you do not bring noise makers/confetti cannons or selfie-sticks, utilize umbrellas, or stand in the aisles during the commencement ceremony.  

Due to the danger of errant balloons hitting power lines, balloons, regardless of type, will not be allowed and will be confiscated if found. Wrapped gifts are discouraged and are subject to be opened if they do not clear a metal detector. Non-uniformed members of the law enforcement community may not carry firearms inside the commencement venue. We regret any inconvenience that these security measures may cause. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation as we work to ensure the safety of our graduates, their families and guests, and our campus community.

COVID SAFETY MEASURES:
Masking: Masks can and should be worn based off one's personal comfort level but it is not compulsory. 

Vaccination: Proof of vaccination/negative test results will not be required at this time.

Please continue to check this website for information as it becomes available.  

CSUN invites students from the graduating class to apply to be the student commencement speaker.  

For more information, please click here.

A Timeline of the 2023- 2024 school years events is soon to come!

UNIVERSITY HONORS:
To receive University Honors upon graduation, an undergraduate student must:

• Complete a minimum of 45 units of work in letter-graded courses in this University.
• Earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 or above in all work taken at CSUN and cumulatively (transfer and CSUN work).
• The level of honors is based on the grade point average in all undergraduate courses, including transfer work (cumulative).

The level of honors is determined as follows:

Summa Cum Laude - GPA of 3.90 or above
Magna Cum Laude - GPA of 3.75 to 3.89
Cum Laude - GPA of 3.50 to 3.74

If University Honors is awarded when the degree is granted, honors will be reflected on your diploma and your CSUN transcript.

Graduate Students
Graduate Students are not awarded with "University Honors" but, rather, are recognized on their diploma as graduating "With Distinction" upon receiving a 3.885 GPA or higher within their graduate level courses.

Additional Questions?
Additional Undergraduate Information is available through the the following:

• UNDERGRAD: Office Undergraduate Degree Services (818) 677-3781.
• GRADUATE: Office of Graduate Studies, Research and International Programs (818) 677-4800.

HONORS PARAPHERNALIA:
University Honors paraphernalia may be purchased at the CSUN campus store and may be worn over regalia at the Commencement Ceremony

Click here to view CSUN Commencement Ceremonies (current and past years).