2024 Commencement

USC Gould School of Law
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Congratulations USC Gould School of Law Class of 2024 graduates! The law school will be hosting two separate ceremonies on the same day, one for Undergraduate and JD students and one for Graduate & International Programs (G&IP) students.

Friday, May 10, 2024
USC University Village Great Lawn

The G&IP ceremony is for students who have earned or are graduating with the following master's degrees in December 2023, May 2024, and August 2024:

  • Master of Laws (LLM)
  • Master of Laws in Alternative Dispute Resolution (LLM in ADR)
  • Master of Laws in International Business and Economic Law (LLM in IBEL)
  • Master of Laws in Privacy Law and Cybersecurity (LLM in PLCS)
  • Master of Studies in Law (MSL)
  • Master of Comparative Law (MCL)
  • Master of Dispute Resolution (MDR)
  • Master of International Trade Law and Economics (MITLE)
  • Master of Science in Innovation Economics, Law and Regulation (MIELR)

Students earning a standalone graduate certificate do not participate in Commencement ceremonies at the university or the law school.

JD & Undergraduate Schedule

JD and undergraduate students should arrive at the USC University Village Great Lawn no later than 10:30 a.m. to check-in.

10:30 a.m. PT
Undergrad and JD Check-in at the USC Village Great Lawn entrance

11:30 a.m. -2:00 p.m. PT
Undergrad and JD Ceremony at the USC University Village Great Lawn

G&IP Schedule

G&IP students should arrive at the USC University Village Great Lawn no later than 2:00 p.m. to check-in.

2:00 p.m. PT
G&IP Check-in at the USC University Village Great Lawn entrance

3:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. PT
G&IP Ceremony at the USC University Village Great Lawn

Ceremony Location

The Undergraduate and JD ceremony and the G&IP ceremony will both take place at the USC University Village Great Lawn.

The USC University Village is adjacent to the USC campus. Click here for a labeled campus map. Click here for a map of the USC University Village.

Download Maps:

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Keynote Speakers

Keynote speakers to be announced.

Do I need tickets to attend USC Gould Commencement?

No. The law school does not require tickets to attend its Commencement ceremonies. Ceremony seating will be available for all family and friends.

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Regalia and Commencement Materials

View the rental and purchasing options below to get started. Feel free to email questions to the bookstore grad team at [email protected]

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Undergrad students

BLACK USC logoed Bachelor gown, no hood, and black cap with a BLACK tassel with USC signet.

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JD students

RED doctoral gown, a DARK PURPLE (not lavender) hood, and a YELLOW (not black) tassel.

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LLM, LLM in ADR, LLM in IBEL, LLM in PLCS, MSL, MCL, MDR, MITLE or MIELR students

BLACK master’s degree gown, a DARK PURPLE (not lavender) hood and a BLACK tassel.

Note: All rented regalia should be returned directly after the ceremony at a designated regalia drop-off bin.

Cap and Gown Rentals

All graduates can place their regalia rental orders online. Click here to begin your order. 

  • Graduates are encouraged to pre-order their cap and gown rental. The bookstore will have a limited supply of regalia available for walk-ins beginning May 6.
  • Pre-order and walk-in orders are available for pick-up beginning May 6. Distribution of regalia will be held outside on the bookstore patio. View more information here.
  • If you have pre-ordered your regalia, you'll need your ID (student or government issued). It always helps to have your order confirmation from Herff Jones.
  • All caps are one size fits all. Students can keep their cap and tassel as a souvenir.
  • All rented regalia should be returned directly after the ceremony at a designated regalia drop-off bin.

    • Undergrad students: BLACK USC logoed Bachelor gown, no hood, and black cap with a BLACK tassel with USC signet.
    • JD students: RED doctoral gown, a DARK PURPLE (not lavender) hood, and a YELLOW (not black) tassel.
    • LLM, LLM in ADR, LLM in IBEL, LLM in PLCS, MSL, MCL, MDR, MITLE or MIELR students: BLACK master's degree gown, a DARK PURPLE (not lavender) hood and a BLACK tassel.
Regalia for Purchase
  • All items are available for purchase online. This includes masters and doctoral regalia. Click here to begin your order
  • JD students have the option to purchase a Tam, if preferred, over the red mortar board cap. Tams are available in size 6 7/8 up to 7 ½. Shipping is free and curbside pick-up is available as well. Click here to order your Tam.
Sashes
  • All students in all degree levels can wear sashes.
  • Standard sashes are $54.99, available in store and online. Click here to purchase your sash.
  • Custom sash pricing begins at $75. Deadline to order a custom sash is March 22nd in order to receive it in time for Commencement.
Diploma Covers

You will be given a complimentary diploma cover from the law school during the graduation ceremony.

Announcements, Rings and Diploma Frames

Official graduation announcements, rings, and diploma frames are sold by Herff Jones and should be ordered through USC's Commencement Accessories webpage.

Day-Of Information

Please read the following important information to plan your commencement day.

Attire

We strongly advise all graduates to wear flat, comfortable shoes in order to navigate the grassy area and the steps leading up to the stage.

Parking and Public Transportation

Parking will be available free of charge and is on a first come, first served basis. The closest parking to the USC University Village will be the Royal Street Structure and the USC Shrine Parking Structure. Click here for a campus map.

Guests with disabilities who possess a red (temporary) or blue (permanent) handicapped placard may park in designated disabled parking spaces in any parking structure.

If you are traveling by public transportation, the Metro Expo line is a recommended option. The Metro Expo line will be running on its usual schedule and stops immediately south of campus at Exposition Boulevard and Trousdale.

LA Metro will be running trains all day for commencement attendees to use. Fares are sold on TAP cards, so you'll need to buy them at ticket vending machines or from a Metro representative. For more help with planning your trip to USC via Metro, use the handy LA Metro trip planner.

Guest Seating

Guests will be able to secure seats on a first come, first served basis. We ask that your family and friends take only the seats they will use so that we are able to provide seating for everyone. Law school staff members will be available to answer questions and direct your guests.

Wheelchair Seating

If someone in your group will require wheelchair seating at the law school ceremony, please contact the law school Events Office [email protected] by Wednesday, May 1. Wheelchair seating must be reserved through this office in advance and is limited to (2) people per graduate in an effort to accommodate all requests.

If your guest will require a wheelchair, you will need to provide one or rent one in advance. The law school and the University will not have wheelchairs.

Balloons and Air Horns

Balloons and air horns will NOT be permitted in the general area.

Photographer

A professional photography service, GradImages, will be at the ceremony taking pictures of each graduate. Several days after the ceremony, the photographer will send, via regular mail and email, free color proofs to each graduate with an offer to purchase prints.

GradImages

Social Media

Please share USC Gould commencement photos and stories with #GouldGrad.

Rain Contingency Plan

The ceremony will take place rain or shine. If severe or inclement weather is at risk of becoming hazardous, a rain contingency plan will go into effect. Details of the rain plan will then be posted on the law school website and an email will be sent to all graduates. If you have questions regarding inclement weather prior to event day, contact the law school Events Office at [email protected].

USC's Main Commencement Ceremony

The USC main commencement ceremony is open for all 2024 law school graduates. It will take place in Alumni Memorial Park on Friday, May 10, 2024 and begins at 8:30 a.m. PT. Further information regarding the main ceremony can be found here.

You are not required to attend the University ceremony, but if you are an undergraduate or JD student and would like to participate in the main ceremony, please contact the law school Events Office at [email protected] to register. G&IP students who would like to participate in the main ceremony may email [email protected] to register.

Please note: The University has allocated a set number of seats for each school. Students must line up and walk in together as part of the ceremony if they would like to sit with their school and classmates. No late or walk-up seating will be allowed in the designated school seating areas on the morning of the event.

You can also attend the main ceremony as a member of the general audience. Seats for these sections are first come, first served.

USC Health and Safety Protocols

As public health guidance may be updated, please refer to the USC COVID-19 website for the most up-to-date health policies and safety information.

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Contact Us

For questions regarding commencement, please contact the USC Gould Events Office at [email protected].

 

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