Commencement Ceremonies

Congratulations Class of 2023!

San José State University is excited to host in-person commencement ceremonies at the end of the semester for our Spring and Summer 2023 graduates! Check out all the available details below:

Ceremony registration/RSVP deadline: Monday, April 24 at 12pm.

Commencement Ceremony Schedule

Ceremonies can last up to 2 hours depending on the number of students attending. Doors to the venue will open 1 hour before each ceremony start time. Each ceremony will be live streamed.

SJSU does not host rehearsals for students. Students should instead arrive no later than 30 minutes before their ceremony start time and follow the instructions of the event staff to get checked in and seated inside of the venue before the ceremony start time. 

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Provident Credit Union Event Center

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Provident Credit Union Event Center

Friday, May 26, 2023

Provident Credit Union Event Center

Ceremony Registration / RSVP

Ceremony registration/RSVP deadline: Monday, April 24 at 12pm.

Ceremony registration/RSVP is now open through the MarchingOrder website (the software we use to record your participation in the ceremony).

Eligible students received an email to their "Preferred Email Address" on file with the University, with a unique registration link for their ceremony.

Check our Communications Archive for all messages that have been sent to students.

Guest Tickets

Ceremony registration/RSVP deadline: Monday, April 24 at 12pm.

Each registered student will receive six (6) complimentary guest tickets after they have registered for their ceremony. If a student is removed from the ceremony for any reason, their guest tickets are also voided. Tickets are only valid for the ceremony that is listed on the guest ticket.

If additional tickets can be released to registered students, an announcement will be sent to registered students in April 2023 with instructions for claiming their additional guest ticket(s).

Check our Communications Archive for all messages that have been sent to students.

* Guest tickets are not required for participating graduates. Guest tickets are required for all guests age three (3) and up. Guest ticket allowance is subject to change based on capacity, CDC, state and county health guidelines.

Academic Regalia / Cap & Gown

Ceremony registration/RSVP deadline: Monday, April 24 at 12pm.
All participating graduates are required to wear academic regalia to attend the commencement ceremony. Academic regalia can be purchased from any vendor, but must match their degree level/degree.

• Undergraduate candidates need a black Bachelor's graduation gown, a black graduation cap (mortarboard) and a color-specific tassel for their college.
• Credential and Master's candidates need a black Master's graduation gown, a black graduation cap (mortarboard), a black tassel, and a color-specific academic hood for their degree.
• Doctoral candidates need Doctoral academic regalia specific to their doctorate degree. Doctoral regalia is not stocked in the Spartan Bookstore and will need to be ordered early. Visit us at Grad Fest (9/27 and 9/28) to get measured and order early!

Spartan Bookstore in the Student Union

Academic regalia (cap, gown and tassel) will be available for purchase at the Spartan Bookstore in the Student Union on campus starting in March 2023. The Spartan Bookstore will sell regalia until the last day of the commencement ceremonies.

Herff Jones

* All participating graduates are required to wear academic regalia to attend the commencement ceremony.

The fastest and least expensive way to get your cap and gown (academic regalia) is to purchase it in-person at the Spartan Bookstore. Regalia will be available starting March 15 through the last day of the Commencement ceremonies on May 26.

If you can’t make it to campus and need your order shipped to your home, please visit http://colleges.herffjones.com/college/sjsu to place your order. The site will close 30 days prior to the first day of commencement in order to allow all orders to be delivered in time.

* Please allow up to 30 days for your order to ship. Shipping charges will be added to online orders.

Latin Honors (linked)

Latin Honors Medallions: Latin Honors medallions are presented to eligible undergraduate students before the commencement ceremonies. Eligible students will be notified later in the semester by email to their "Preferred Email Address" with instructions for how to pick-up their medallion before the commencement ceremony.

Graduation Gifts

Class T-shirts, sweatshirts, flower bouquets, SJSU Custom Kukui Nut Lei and more! Graduation gifts are available for pre-order and on-site purchasing on the day of the ceremony. Pre-ordered items will be available for contact-free pick up on-site at the Commencement Group tents.

Event Parking

Visit the Parking Services webpage for parking maps and additional information. 

Discounted guest parking permits (currently $4.00) are available for purchase before the first day of the commencement ceremonies. After the first day of ceremonies, prices will increase to $10. See instructions for purchasing a parking permit below: 

Guest Parking Information:

Guest Parking Information will be available by April 2023.

Check our Communications Archive for all messages that have been sent to students.

Event Photography

Best Grad Photo (photography vendor)

Best Grad Photo will be on-site during the Commencement ceremony to take your official graduation pictures. You can purchase your photos through a unique link that will be emailed to you about a week after the ceremony. If you do not receive your photos by December 30, please contact Best Grad Photo via email at support@bestgradphoto.com.

COVID-19 Protocols:

The university will follow the California Department of Public Health’s policies on mega indoor events. All staff, faculty, graduates and guests are encouraged to use the SJSU COVID-19 Symptom Check Tool before arriving on campus.

As of Monday, January 9, based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 metrics for Santa Clara County, which are currently at the MEDIUM level for cases and related hospitalizations, SJSU no longer requires individuals to wear a mask or face covering in indoor spaces, but all are strongly encouraged to wear masks or face coverings indoors.

* Masks will continue to be required at the Student Wellness Center and Spartan Food Pantry.

Restrictions may tighten based on the risks associated with the commencement ceremonies. Please check our website often for up to date information and announcements regarding the safety requirements of these commencement ceremonies.

Event Venue

The Provident Credit Union Event Center is an accessible building on campus. Students and guests with ADA accessibility needs will enter through the designated entrance on the ground floor of the venue. ADA accessible seating will be available inside of the venue. For questions, please contact the Commencement Office at commencement@sjsu.edu.

Event Prohibited Items:

Commencement is a "Clear Bag Policy" [pdf] event. For the safety and enjoyment of all attendees, the following items are not permitted at the event:

• NO Drones or airborne flying devices
• NO Helium Balloons
• NO Artificial noise-making devices, horns, air horns
• NO Inflatable balls, frisbees, tortillas, etc.
• NO Confetti or streamers
• NO Skateboards, scooters, rollerblades
• NO Signs or banners larger than 3’ x 5’ and must be foldable (if a banner is brought, it will be inspected before being admitted. It may not be attached to any railings, fencing, etc. Must be held only)
• NO Coolers, hard sided coolers
• NO Outside Food or Beverages (Including Alcohol, Fruit and Candy)
• NO Illegal Substances, Drugs or Drug Paraphernalia
• NO Tobacco Products or Paraphernalia
• NO Markers, Pens or Spray Paint
• NO Laser Pointers
• NO Solid Backpacks, Purses or Bags (anything over 10“ x 10”) with the exception of a diaper bag that must accompany the child that uses it, and is subject to search (see our clear bag policy [pdf])
• NO Weapons of Any Kind (includes Pocket Knives, Pepper Spray, Personal Protection Devices, Fireworks, etc.)
• NO Professional Recording Equipment – Photo Video, or Audio (No Detachable Lenses, Tripods, Big Zooms or Commercial Use Rigs)
• NO Items deemed to be dangerous or inappropriate by management that may disrupt other attendees' enjoyment of the event
• NO Pets are permitted at this event. ADA service animals are allowed.

Note:

• There is no public storage for prohibited items, nor can any items be held by the event staff.
• SJSU is not responsible for any lost or stolen items.
• All guests will be subject to search, which may include the use of electronic devices, pat downs and inspections of bags.
• Guests are discouraged from bringing unnecessary items to the event.