Content start here

2026 Commencement

May 16 | University Village Great Lawn

USC Gould School of Law Commencement 2026

Friday, May 15, 2026
USC University Village Great Lawn

We are proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our Class of 2026 graduates. USC Gould School of Law will host two separate commencement ceremonies on the same day to honor our undergraduate, JD, and Graduate and International Programs students.

Undergraduate Ceremony and JD Ceremony

For students graduating from the following programs:

  • B.S. in Legal Studies degree in December 2025, May 2026 and August 2026
  • Juris Doctor (JD) in May 2026

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

Ceremony: 9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. PT

Graduate and International Programs Ceremony

Students who have earned or are graduating with the following degrees or certificates in December 2025, May 2026, or August 2026:

  • Master of Laws (LLM)
  • Master of Laws in Alternative Dispute Resolution (LLM in ADR)
  • Master of Laws in Business Law (LLM in BL)
  • 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 Law 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

Check-in: 12:00 p.m. PT
G&IP students should arrive at the USC University Village Great Lawn entrance no later than 12:00 p.m. to check in.

Ceremony: 1:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. PT

Ceremony Location

USC University Village Great Lawn
USC Gould ceremonies will take place at the USC University Village Great Lawn,  adjacent to the USC campus.

Download Maps:

University Commencement Ticketing

No tickets are required for the USC Gould commencement ceremonies, however they are required for the mainstage USC Commencement Ceremony taking place at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum May 14 at 6:30 p.m.  For more information, please visit USC's Commencement website.

 

Keynote Speakers

Please check back for more information about keynote speakers.

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. Please note: 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, 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.

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 12. The bookstore will have a limited supply of regalia available for walk-ins beginning May 11.
  • Walk-in orders are available for pick-up beginning May 11. 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 26 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.

Security & Clear Bags Policy toggle arrow icon

Please review the security information on USC's Commencement FAQ page for more information about personal items restrictions, including the clear bag requirements.

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 6. 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.

Contact Us

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