Frequently Asked Questions
Please read the following questions
and answers before you call the Commencement Office.
Do I need tickets for my Commencement Ceremony?
Tickets are required for admission to some commencement ceremonies. Each school at the University determines individually, in conjunction with the UCLA Fire Marshal and Commencement Office, if they will require tickets for their ceremonies based upon seating capacity and venue restrictions. Additionally, each school determines how those tickets will be distributed to their students. For 2012, the following schools will require tickets to their ceremonies:
- School of Dentistry
- School of Public Affairs
- College of Letters and Sciences
(includes all department graduations:
English, Political Science, Chemistry, etc.)
- School of Public Health
- School of Nursing
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How do I get tickets to a ceremony?
For details on how to obtain tickets from your school, please click the link for your ceremony on the
Commencement Schedule page or contact the student affairs office for your school directly.
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Why are only some ceremonies ticketed?
Ceremonies are held in a variety of venues, both indoor and outdoor, with varying graduate and audience capacities. Most indoor venues require ticketing due to the expected attendance and seating capacity. All capacities are determined by the UCLA Fire Marshal. Ceremonies in outdoor venues may also require ticketing in order to determine the number of seats to be provided. Ticketing is also a means of ensuring a safe and comfortable experience for all attendees. Ticketing and seating will be on a non-reserved, general admission basis only.
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Do I need a ticket for a child or baby?
If the child or baby will need to occupy a seat of their own, you will need to obtain a ticket. If the child or baby will remain on a parent's lap for the entire duration of the ceremony, they will not need a ticket.
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What color tassel will I be wearing?
The color of your tassel is determined by your school and degree.
Graduation Etc.
will help you determine the color of your tassel when you place your cap and gown order.
| Degree |
Tassel Color |
| Bachelor of Arts - College of Letters and Science |
White |
| Bachelor of Science - College of Letters and Science |
Gold |
| Bachelor of Arts - School of the Arts and Architecture |
Brown |
| Bachelor of Arts - School of Theater, Film, & TV |
Brown |
| Bachelor of Science - Henry Samueli School of Engineering |
Orange |
| Bachelor of Science - School of Nursing |
Apricot |
| Degree |
Hood Color |
Tassel Color |
| Master of Arts (MA) |
White |
Black |
| Master of Science (MS) |
Gold |
Black |
| Master of Architecture (MArch) |
Lilac |
Lilac |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA) |
Drab |
Drab |
| Master of Education (MEd) |
Light Blue |
Light Blue |
| Master of Engineering (Engr) |
Orange |
Black |
| Master of Fine Arts (MFA) |
Brown |
Black |
| Master of Library & Information Science (MLIS) |
Lemon |
Lemon |
| Master of Music (MM) |
Pink |
Pink |
| Master of Public Health (MPH) |
Salmon |
Salmon |
| Master of Public Policy (MPP) |
Peacock |
Peacock |
| Master of Science Nursing (MSN) |
Apricot |
Black |
| Master of Social Welfare (MSW) |
Citron |
Citron |
| Degree |
Hood Color |
Tassel Color |
| Doctor of Environmental Sciences (DEnv) |
Gold |
Old Gold |
| Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) |
Salmon |
Old Gold |
| Doctor of Education (EdD) |
Light Blue |
Old Gold |
| Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) |
Pink |
Old Gold |
| Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) |
Royal Blue |
Old Gold |
| Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) |
Lilac |
Lilac |
| Doctor of Medicine (MD) |
Green |
Green |
| Juris Doctor (JD) |
Purple |
Purple |
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Who wears the fourrageres at Commencement?
The decorative braid, called a fourragere, is worn to recognize
achievement. Students receiving either College Honors or Latin Honors
or both wear a gold fourragere on the left shoulder. Recipients of the
Chancellor's Service Award wear a blue-and-gold fourragere on the right
shoulder.
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Where do I get my Cap and Gown?
Regalia, caps, gowns, announcements, diploma frames and graduation gifts can all be purchased
on-line. Please visit the
UCLA Store - Graduation
Etc. for price lists, information, and ordering. Announcements
will be ready for pick-up two weeks from the date of purchase at Graduation
Etc. All other products, including caps and gowns, will be available for
pick-up beginning in May 2012 in the textbook area of A-Level Ackerman
Union. Senior portrait appointments are still available at the Campus
Photo Studio (310) 206-8433. Don't forget to order wallet-sized portraits
to include in your announcements. Order and pick-up early to avoid any
delays or long lines.
Fourageres for Honors and Chancellor's
Service Awards will be available at the beginning of June 2012.
They must be purchased in person at Graduation Etc.
Graduation Etc., A-Level Ackerman Union
308 Westwood Plaza
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Phone: (310) 825-2587
FAX: (310) 825-2794
gradetc@asucla.ucla.edu
www.uclastore.com
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Will the UCLA Store and campus restaurants be open during Commencement Weekend?
Click here for UCLA Store Information
Click here for local restaurant information.
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Where can I go to get more information?
Details about UCLA Commencement ceremonies
College of Letters of Letters and Science -- contact the College Commencement Office at
commencement@college.ucla.edu, or (310) 206-3535.
School of Engineering -- contact Michel Moraga at
michel@ea.ucla.edu
School of Arts & Architecture --
Office of Student Services at 310.206.3564 or email
students@arts.ucla.edu
School of Theater, Film, and Television -- contact departmental counselor.
School of Nursing -- contact Student Affairs Office,
sonsaff@sonnet.ucla.edu
Schedules
Visit
here For the schedule of all UCLA graduation events, visit (http://www.commencement.ucla.edu/schedule.cfm)
Parent information
You will find information for parents and commencement guests at
www.commencement.ucla.edu/parents.cfm
More questions
For general questions about UCLA commencement events, contact University Events Office at
commencement@events.ucla.edu or call the Commencement Hotline at (310) 825-8989 for updated information.
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Helpful Hints
- Graduates: plan to arrive two hours before your ceremony begins or before your appointed line up time.
- Find a location other than the Bruin Bear to
meet your candidate. The Bruin Bear is at the crossroads of the
campus and is a logical place to meet your son or daughter during Commencement
Weekend, however, thousands of other families will be meeting their
son or daughter at the same location. We would suggest meeting your
candidate at locations such as the Inverted Fountain, in front of the
Royce Hall Towers or at the entrance to a nearby building. Each Commencement
Ceremony location is easily identified on Campus Maps and after four
or five years, your son or daughter should be able to find the location
that you choose.
- Park for the end of your day at UCLA. Many
times guests will park at the closest location to the Commencement Ceremony.
However they will not take into account their tour of the campus after
the ceremony. We would suggest that you plan your day so that after
a full day of walking and seeing the campus, you do not have to walk
across the campus to get to your vehicle. Plan your walking for early
in the day when you have more energy and the weather is cooler. Remember
to bring comfortable shoes if you plan on a walking tour of the campus.
- Jot down the parking lot/structure number.
UCLA has many parking lots and structures and all structures are multi-level
complexes. We suggest that you write down the lot and level number of
where you parked on a piece of note paper and take the note paper with
you to the event. This will help you find your way back to your car.
- If you get lost... UCLA Commencements post
directional signs to all events on all main walkways throughout the
campus. Each campus building has a sign that denotes the name of the
building, remember which building you are parked close to or is nearest
to your event. Campus maps are available at all information booths,
on campus kiosks and from Commencement staff across the campus. If after
checking your map, you still cannot find your way, please ask any friendly
UCLA staff or student for directions.
- Bring Sunblock Even if the ceremony you are
attending is indoors, if you plan on a walking tour of the campus, bring
sunblock, especially for children. June weather in Southern California
is traditionally hazy in the morning hours, but still causes sunburn.
- No Balloons While balloons are allowed at
outdoor venues only, sometimes the person sitting behind you will be
most appreciative if you leave the balloons in your car. We understand
that balloons are festive and celebratory; perhaps they are better presented
at dinner or at home.
- Umbrellas While the use of umbrellas is not
restricted, we ask that you be considerate of those around you, especially
behind you, when using an umbrella to block the sun.
- Parking Tips UCLA wants your commencement
experience to be perfect from beginning to end. Depending upon the day
and time of the event, the streets surrounding the campus can be quite
congested. To help you avoid traffic congestion in the busy Westwood
area, we would like to offer the following suggestions:
- 405 (San Diego) Freeway: Avoid using
the Sunset Boulevard and Wilshire Boulevard on-ramps to the 405
(San Diego) Freeway. Instead, travel south from the campus using
Westwood Boulevard, Hilgard Avenue (to Westwood Boulevard), Gayley
Avenue or Veteran Avenue to Santa Monica Boulevard, turn right (westbound)
and enter the 405 from Santa Monica Boulevard.
- 10 (Santa Monica) Freeway: Take Sunset
or Wilshire Boulevard EAST from the campus, turn right (southbound)
on Beverly Glen, right again (westbound) at Olympic Boulevard, then
left (southbound) on Overland Avenue. Enter the 10 Freeway on Overland
Avenue.
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Schedule
