Information for Psychology Division Graduates
Psychology Division
Saturday, May 9, 2026
10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Alumni Park I Malibu campus
Eligibility Requirements
Masters Degree
On-campus psychology students - complete all degree requirements by the end of the Summer (August) term.
Online psychology students - complete all degree requirements by the end of the Spring (June) term.
Doctoral Degree
Pass final dissertation defense on or before Saturday, April 25, 2026.
Class of 2026 Checklist
December 3, 2025; January 22, February 11, and March 17, 2026
Attend one of four commencement webinars. The Dec. 3 webinar can be viewed here.
January 26 - April 19, 2026
Rent or purchase a cap, gown, and hood directly from Herff Jones by April 5 for regular shipping or by April 19 with rush shipping.
May 9, 2026
Psychology ceremony for Master's and Doctoral Grads. Graduate arrival time is 8:30
AM, ceremony starts at 10:30 AM. Guest tickets are required.
Arrival and Line-up Instructions
Arrival Time
Master's and Doctoral Graduates should arrive no later than 8:30 AM and report to the Student Check-in Area near the pond on Alumni Park to check in, receive assistance with their cap and gown robing, and take part in a practice procession.
Assembly and Line-Up
Graduates will bring their regalia and report to student check-in at Alumni Park on the Malibu campus at the designated time of their ceremony. At check-in, graduates will receive their name card, which will be used by the ceremony name reader during the ceremony, and find their designated seat near the check-in area for line-up and instructions. The processional is coordinated by degree. Doctoral candidates will be seated in the front rows, followed by master's degree programs. As a safety precaution, children may not march with grads or process the graduate stage. Comfortable shoes are suggested, as you will march in the processional and recessional. Please note: there will not be a storage area for personal belongings.
Presentation of Graduates
When the Dean asks the graduates to rise, please rise together and remain standing until the President confers the degree, then you may sit down. Upon cue from the ushers, graduates from each row will rise and proceed to the stage. Enter the stage on the RIGHT side, and hand the card you received at check-in to the name reader. As your name is called, walk across the stage to receive your diploma cover in your left hand, shake hands with the President, exit the stage on the LEFT side, return to your chair, and be seated.
Printed Program
The traditional commencement program will be available for graduates and guests on commencement day.
Honors
College honors are not printed in the commencement program nor read individually during the commencement ceremony.