General Information

Ceremony Information

Location

Pepperdine Malibu Campus, Alumni Park, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90263

Note: As this is not a covered canopy area, hats and sunscreen are recommended for sun protection.

GSEP commencement ceremonies will be broadcast online, live, and on-demand for future viewing. The livestream will begin 15 minutes prior to the start of the commencement ceremony and can be viewed on the commencement website.

Parking and Shuttles

There is no fee for parking on campus. On-campus parking is available on all campus streets and in the following lots: A, B, E, F, I, J, N, O, and at the Drescher Graduate Campus. Shuttles will be in service and available at any marked campus shuttle stop.

Special Abilities Placard Parking

A special parking area in parking lot P near Firestone Fieldhouse has been designated for those with accessible parking placards or license plates issued by a state government. Once you arrive at the special parking area a public safety officer will assist you with parking. There will be golf carts servicing between parking lot P and Alumni Park. Another option would be to pull up next to Alumni Park, drop off the guest, and park elsewhere. Graduation hosts will greet guests as they enter the graduation arena and assist with seating.

Tickets

In order to efficiently welcome guests onto our Malibu campus for the 2024 Graduate School of Education and Psychology Commencement Ceremony, Pepperdine is implementing an entrance pass reservation system for all attendees. Please note this system does not restrict the number of guests each graduate can invite to attend commencement. However, each guest must possess and display their individual pass to enter campus and attend the ceremony on May 18th. Passes are emailed to graduates to disseminate to their guests.

In the event of inclement weather, graduates will be notified and instructed on guest information.

Guest Seating

On Alumni Park - a designated wheelchair/scooter seating area is near the front of guest seating. Each guest in a wheelchair/scooter can bring one person to sit with them in this area. Graduation hosts will greet guests in wheelchairs/scooters as they enter the graduation arena and assist with access to this seating area.

Two sun-sensitive tents are located near the rear of guest seating. Both areas are first come first seated.

Rain Plan

In the event of rain commencement will be moved to Firestone Fieldhouse. All graduates will take their seats prior to the start of the ceremony. Due to extremely limited indoor seating, tickets will be required for rain plan admission only. Each graduate will receive approximately three guest tickets for entrance to Firestone Fieldhouse. Graduates' additional guests are strongly encouraged to view the ceremony via livestream from the convenience and comfort of their preferred off-campus location.

Pets

Consistent with University policies, pets are not allowed at commencement services except for guide, service, or signal dogs. Please email gsepgrad@pepperdine.edu to register your service animal ahead of the commencement ceremony.

Vendors

Photography

Graduates will be photographed as they receive their diplomas during the commencement ceremony and a posed photo in their regalia by GradImages. Doctoral grads will also be photographed being hooded by their chair. Please use this photography service and ask your guests to remain seated during the ceremony. In the past, GradImages has been able to deliver proofs by email within 24 hours to graduates. You can receive 20% off your photo purchase of $50 or more when you register before commencement - visit gradimages.com/registration for details.