USC Logo
Content start here

2025 Commencement

USC Gould School of Law
About USC Gould School of Law
In this Section

Congratulations USC Gould School of Law Class of 2025 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 16, 2025
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 2024, May 2025, and August 2025:

  • Master of Laws (LLM)
  • Master of Laws in Business Law (LLM in BL)
    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 Media and Entertainment Law (LLM in MEL)
  • 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)
  • Standalone Certificates in Law and Compliance

JD & Undergraduate Schedule

JD and undergraduate students should arrive at the USC University Village Great Lawn no later than 8:00 a.m. to check-in. 

Friday, May 16, 2025

8:00 a.m. PT
Undergrad and JD Check-in at the USC Village Great Lawn entrance

9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.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 12:00 p.m. to check-in.

Friday, May 16, 2025

12:00 p.m. PT
G&IP Check-in at the USC University Village Great Lawn entrance

1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. PT
G&IP Ceremony at the USC University Village Great Lawn

Ceremony Location

USC Gould ceremonies will take place at the USC University Village Great Lawn.

The USC University Village is adjacent to the USC campus. Please visit commencement.usc.edu for information.

Download Maps:

USC Campus Map (PDF) University Village Map (PDF)

Commencement Ticketing Update

  • All graduating students attending commencement ceremonies are required to reserve tickets for themselves and up to ten named guests. (Children under 2 years of age do not need a ticket to attend.) These tickets are free of charge.
  • Graduating students will need to use their USC email account to access their tickets through their USC Ticket Office mobile account. Each graduating student will automatically be allocated ten guest tickets to download. Once tickets are downloaded and claimed, students must distribute them to their named guests.
  • Eligible graduating students will receive tickets in their USC ticket accounts on Wednesday, April 23, by the end of the day.
  • If additional tickets are needed, graduating students may request them using the Additional Ticket Request Form starting Monday, April 28. All requests for additional tickets will be reviewed, and we will do our best to accommodate these requests as space allows. Some ceremonies may vary based on venue capacity. Please contact your department with any questions or concerns.
  • USC faculty and staff can use their current USCard to attend commencement ceremonies. Graduating USC students and their guests must present a commencement ticket for entry.

Please note that Gould ceremonies at the USC Village Great Lawn will have their own ticket – in addition to the USC Campus access ticket you will receive.

USC Commencement Ticketing Information

JD & Undergraduate Commencement Speaker

Beto O’Rourke

Former member of U.S. Congress
Founder of Powered by People

Read Bio toggle arrow icon

Beto O’Rourke is a fourth-generation Texan, born and raised in El Paso where he has served as a small business owner, a city council representative and a member of the United States Congress.

He continues to work on expanding voting rights and defending our country's democracy through his organization Powered by People. He is the author of “We’ve Got to Try,” a book that tells the stories of previously unknown civil and voting rights champions from our history to inspire the future.

Beto is married to Amy O’Rourke and together they are raising Ulysses, Molly and Henry in El Paso.

G&IP Commencement Speaker

Pēteris Zilgalvis, JD 1990

Judge, General Court of the European Union 

Read Bio toggle arrow icon

Pēteris Zilgalvis is a Judge on the General Court of the European Union. He is a member of the General Court’s Management Board and of the AI Management Board of the Court of Justice of the EU.

Previously, he was the Head of Unit for Digital Innovation and Blockchain in the Digital Single Market Directorate in the European Commission and co-chaired the Commission’s FinTech Task Force. His notable career has also included roles at the Council of Europe, World Bank and the Latvian ministries of environment and foreign affairs, among others.

Zilgalvis received his JD from the USC Gould School of Law in 1990 and his BA in Political Science cum laude from UCLA in 1986. He has been a member of the California State Bar since 1991.

In addition, he has authored numerous articles and chapters of books on innovation law and policy, AI and the law, environmental law, bioethics and EU law.

 

University Commencement Programming and Information

For more information, please visit USC's Commencement website.

USC Commencement Website

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 gradproducts@usc.edu

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 BL, LLM in IBEL, LM in MEL, LLM in PLCS, MSL, MCL, MDR, MITLE, MIELR, and Standalone Certificate 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 toggle arrow icon

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 online by April 13. The bookstore will have a limited supply of regalia available for walk-ins beginning May 12.
  • Walk-in orders are available for pick-up beginning May 12. 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 BL, LLM in IBEL, LLM in MEL, LLM in PLCS, MSL, MCL, MDR, MITLE, MIELR students, and Standalone Certificate Students: BLACK master's degree gown, a DARK PURPLE (not lavender) hood and a BLACK tassel.
Regalia for Purchase toggle arrow icon
  • 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 toggle arrow icon
  • All students in all degree levels can wear sashes.
  • Sashes are optional and are only available for purchase.
  • 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 27 in order to receive it in time for Commencement.
Diploma Covers toggle arrow icon

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

Announcements, Rings and Diploma Frames toggle arrow icon

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 toggle arrow icon

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 toggle arrow icon

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 Shrine Parking Structure and the Royal Street Structure (for ADA parking). Click here for a campus map.

For information about parking, rideshare options and public transit, please visit the USC Commencement Parking and Transit web page.

Guest Seating toggle arrow icon

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 toggle arrow icon

If someone in your group will require wheelchair seating at the law school ceremony, please contact the law school Events Office events@law.usc.edu by Wednesday, May 7. 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 toggle arrow icon

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

Photographer toggle arrow icon

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 toggle arrow icon

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

Rain Contingency Plan toggle arrow icon

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 events@law.usc.edu.

USC Health and Safety Protocols toggle arrow icon

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.

Contact Us

For questions regarding commencement, please contact the USC Gould Events Office at events@law.usc.edu.

 

Follow USC Gould on Social Media

USC Gould School of Law

699 Exposition Boulevard

Los Angeles, California 90089-0071

Twitter Logo

Copyright © 2024 USC Gould. All Rights Reserved.

USC Gould School of Law

699 Exposition Boulevard

Los Angeles, California 90089-0071

Twitter Logo
footer logo
Twitter Logo

Copyright © 2024 USC Gould. All Rights Reserved.