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In order to be eligible to participate in the 2024 Doctoral Hooding Ceremony you must meet the following criteria:
If you have eligibility questions, please contact Academic and Postdoctoral Services at askgrad@grad.ucla.edu.
Graduates who filed in Summer 2023, Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 will receive invitations to the doctoral hooding ceremony beginning in late April. Doctoral candidates who successfully file in Spring 2024 will receive an email invitation from the Division of Graduate Education.
Due to the increasing number of doctoral graduates and limited seating capacity in Royce Hall, graduates will only be able to order up to four (4) guest tickets and request two (2) waitlist tickets. Tickets can be ordered through myUCLA only beginning on April 22, 2024. Faculty do NOT need tickets. They are invited separately by the Division of Graduate Education.
Electronic Option Only
1:30 p.m.
Graduates check-in at Royce Quad.
Graduate and faculty reception on the West Terrace of Royce Hall. Light appetizers and beverages will be served at the reception.
Due to space restrictions, family members and friends may not accompany the graduates to the graduate/faculty reception in Royce Hall.
2:00 p.m.
Doors open in the auditorium for guest seating.
2:40 p.m.
Processional line-up begins. The official party will lead followed by the faculty and graduate processionals
3:00 p.m.
Hooding ceremony begins. The anticipated duration is 2 hours.
5:00 p.m. (approx.)
Hooding ceremony ends.
A pink or yellow reader card will be provided to you when you check in at the ceremony, and will be used to announce your name as you come forward to be hooded. Should you have a difficult name to pronounce, please print the phonetic pronunciation of your name where indicated.
You will also receive a card with a QR code printed on it. This will be used to project your name on a screen on the stage while you are being hooded.
Graduates are responsible for renting OR purchasing their own cap, gown and hood for the ceremony. Ordering can be completed through Graduation, Et Cetera. Questions should be directed to Graduation, Et Cetera (A-Level of Ackerman Union, 310- 825-2587).
If you are receiving your PhD degree, you should purchase/rent a Royal Blue hood. However, professional doctoral degree recipients should request the appropriate hood color representing their fields of learning:
Environmental Science & Engineering – Golden Yellow
Education – Light Blue
Music – Pink
Nursing – Apricot
Public Health – Salmon Pink
NOTE: Graduation, Etc. is the official Jostens vendor for the purchase and rental of regalia. Thus, they are licensed to reproduce the official UC colors and brand their gowns as University of California. There are other regalia vendors with whom you wish to do business. However, please note that we have no corporate responsibility information from their factories to determine where their materials are being resourced, or how/where they are being produced.
Tips for preparing your gown for your big day:
Following the event, you may return your rented regalia to the collection tables outside Royce Hall. Caps, gowns and hoods may be kept and turned in later if you are participating in a separate ceremony during commencement weekend.
Graduates will be photographed by GradImages as they are being hooded during the ceremony. Graduates may purchase prints following the event and will be contacted directly by GradImages.
Visit Graduation, Et Cetera to purchase graduation announcements.
Formal or candid portraits can be scheduled at the Campus Photo Studio on the A-level of Ackerman Union. Sittings may be arranged in person or by calling 310-206-8433. Academic attire will be furnished without charge for use in the Campus Photo Studio. Portrait prices vary according to individual needs.
We have worked very hard to ensure your ceremony is the joyous and celebratory event you deserve. Please review our clear bag policy and list of prohibited items for the ceremony.
Instructions on How to Wear Your Cap and Carry Your Hood.
UCLA Transportation uses the Bruin ePermit System where your license plate is your permit.
The Bruin ePermit system works similar to a supermarket scanner with your license plate functioning as the barcode. When read, the numbers of your plate are automatically referenced against the parking database to verify a valid permit for the lot location.
Students and guests attending 2023 Commencement ceremonies are able to purchase a parking permit online, anonymously, and in advance through the Bruin ePermit Event Parking portal beginning on May 1st.
To avoid long lines at the self-service pay stations on campus, it is recommended to purchase your parking permit in advance of attending the Commencement ceremonies.
View the parking map and instructions for obtaining a parking permit.
Day of parking will also be available at our various visitor parking locations using the self-service Pay Station machines or ParkMobile. If utilizing Parkmobile you can use Parkmobile Zone 2590.
Accessible parking is available across campus and guests displaying valid DP parking placards or license plates who have purchased a Commencement permit may park in any legal parking stall with the exception of Passenger Loading (white curb) and Commercial Loading (yellow curb) spaces.
If you have questions, please contact us at transportation@ts.ucla.edu or (310) 794-7433. For more information regarding the Graduate Celebration please visit the UCLA Commencement 2023 FAQs.