Graduation and Commencement

Graduation and Commencement
Graduation and Commencement
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Overview
The information included in this page is intended to serve as a
overview of the information students in the Luskin School of Public Affairs Undergraduate Program should consider as they prepare to graduate. Students are encouraged to contact the
Public Affairs Undergraduate Program
to review their degree progress and address any questions/concerns regarding their eligibility to graduate and participate in the commencement ceremonies
You can access the UCLA Commencement website
here
You can download a pdf copy of the
Public Affairs Guide to Graduation
here
The 2025 Luskin School of Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Commencement ceremony is scheduled on
Friday, June 12, 2026 at 3:00pm (PST) at the Ackerman Grand Ballroom
. Click
here
for details.
CEREMONY LIVESTREAM
Graduation and Commencement: What’s the difference?
While most students use the terms “graduation” and “commencement” interchangeably, the terms have very different definitions. “Graduating” refers to the act of completing all degree requirements
. The quarter you complete all degree requirements is called
degree candidacy term
or
degree expected term
“Commencement” refers to the ceremonies reserved for students who are eligible to participate in the commencement ceremonies
during
that academic year. For example, if you are completing all degree requirements in Summer 2026, you are graduating September 2026 and participating in the June 2026 commencement ceremonies.
Commencement ceremonies are optional and attendance is not required in order to obtain your diploma. Because departments and student organizations host ceremonies for their respective student populations, a UCLA undergraduate student can participate in several ceremonies during commencement weekend.
Graduation Checklist
Commencement Checklist
After Final Quarter Checklist
Your Alumni Network!
Graduation Checklist
Confirm Your Degree Candidacy Term
OVERVIEW
Your degree candidacy term (or, degree expected term) refers to the quarter you plan to complete all degree requirements. You can view your degree candidacy term on your Degree Audit Report (DARS) in the top left section of the DARS header. If you have not declared your degree candidacy, you will see a blank entry in DARS. You may declare or correct your degree candidacy term on MyUCLA > Academics > “Declare Candidacy Term.”
HOW TO DECLARE OR CHANGE YOUR DEGREE CANDIDACY TERM
You can access the Declaration of Candidacy form via MyUCLA > Academics > Declare Candidacy Term, or via the UCLA Registrar’s Office website
here
DEADLINE TO DECLARE
In order to graduate and participate in commencement you must have a declared degree candidacy term. The last day to declare candidacy for the current term (fall, winter, or spring) is Friday of finals week. The last day to declare candidacy for the summer term is Friday of the sixth week of summer session C.
FEES
There are no fees for declaring or changing your degree candidacy term.
QUESTIONS?
For questions about your eligibility to change your degree candidacy term, contact the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program via
MyUCLA Message Center
Confirm Your Privacy Restrictions
Students who are interested in participating in the Luskin and UCLA Commencement ceremonies must review and confirm their privacy restrictions on their official UCLA record. You can review
and confirm your privacy restrictions via
MyUCLA
> Settings > Privacy Options.
If a student has a directory or FERPA restriction, UCLA departments are restricted from including the student’s information in any commencement ceremony materials. This means that you
r name cannot be in
cl
uded in the Luskin Commencement bulletin if you choose “Selected” for the
FERPA Restriction Status
or choose “Do Not Release” for the
All Public Information Privacy Option.
Having a directory or FERPA restriction may also restrict UCLA from providing degree confirmation to future employers and/or graduate/professional programs. If you have a FERPA restriction and would like to change it, you must contact the
UCLA Registrar’s Office
The deadline to update your privacy restrictions for the 2026 Luskin Commencement ceremony is Friday, May 1, 2026.
This deadline is intended for commencement purposes only. You can update your privacy restrictions at any time.
Confirm the Spelling of your Name for Your Diploma
Beginning week 4 of your degree candidacy term, confirm the spelling of your name as it should appear on your diploma,
by submitting your diploma request
on
MyUCLA
> Academics >
Diploma Request
. This feature allows you to edit your name and to add special accents and punctuation.
Confirm the Spelling of your Name for the Commencement Bulletin
Every year, the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs publishes the Luskin Commencement bulletin, which lists the names of all the Luskin graduate and undergraduate degree candidates. Unless a student has a directory or FERPA restriction, their name will be automatically included in the Luskin Commencement bulletin.
To ensure their preferred name is published in the Luskin Commencement bulletin, students must complete the following steps:
Review and confirm your privacy restrictions on your official UCLA record by going to MyUCLA > Settings > Privacy Options. Your name cannot be included in the Luskin Commencement bulletin if you choose “Selected” for the
FERPA Restriction Status
, and/or choose “Do Not Release” for the
All Public Information Privacy Option
Submit the
Preferred Name for the Public Affairs Commencement Ceremony Form
(linked
here
) by Friday, May 1, 2026.
The Preferred Name form linked above must be submitted by all B.A. in Public Affairs degree candidates. If the student does not submit the Preferred Name form and they do not have a directory or FERPA restriction, the Luskin Commencement bulletin will list the student’s lived name as noted in the University’s student records.
Complete a Degree Check with a Public Affairs Counselor
Public Affairs majors are encouraged to schedule
regular appointments with a Public Affairs academic counselor to discuss their progress and outline a strategic degree plan that accounts for their degree requirements as well as their career and graduate/professional school plans. To schedule an appointment with a Public Affairs academic counselor, submit your appointment request via
MyUCLA
Message Center.
If you are a graduating senior, you are encouraged to schedule a degree check appointment with a
Public Affairs academic counselor
to ensure you are on track to complete all degree requirements by your intended degree candidacy term. If you are pursuing a minor or double/triple major, you should also meet with your major/minor department counselor to confirm that your completed and in progress coursework will satisfy your remaining major/minor requirements.
Latin Honors, Departmental Honors, and College Honors
Students pursuing the B.A. in Public Affairs are eligible to graduate with up to three honors designations: Latin Honors, Departmental Honors, and College Honors. Read the information below to learn more about each honors designation.
LATIN HONORS
To be eligible to graduate with Latin Honors, students must complete at least 90 graded UC units (not P/NP) and meet the Latin Honors GPA benchmarks. Transfer students must complete at least 76 graded UC units (not P/NP) and meet the Latin Honors GPA benchmarks to be eligible to graduate with Latin Honors. The Latin Honors GPA benchmarks are listed in your DARS (“Latin Honors” module) and on the
Registrar’s Office website
. The official Latin Honors designation on your diploma is based on your final grades at the time of degree completion.
DEPARTMENTAL HONORS
Students who successfully complete
the
Public Affairs Departmental Honors
program and who are nominated by the Public Affairs Faculty Advisory Committee, will receive Departmental Honors on their transcript and diploma.
COLLEGE HONORS
Public Affairs majors who complete the College Honors Program requirements are eligible to graduate with College Honors. If you are completing the College Honors Program requirements,
you must
submit the
College Honors Candidacy Form
to the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program at the link below
College Honors Candidacy Form for Public Affairs Majors (linked
here
Please allow 5-10 business days for processing. Upon receipt, a Public Affairs academic counselor will review your request and complete a degree check, after which, the Public Affairs
Undergraduate Program
will submit the form on your behalf to the Honors Programs office. DO NOT submit your College Honors Candidacy Form directly to the Honors Programs office as this will delay the review and processing of your form.
For 2025-2026 degree candidates, the deadline to submit the College Honors Candidacy Form to the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program is Friday, April 10, 2026.
Luskin Leadership Development Certificate of Completion
Public Affairs majors who are interested in going above and beyond the minimum Public Affairs capstone preparation workshop requirement may choose to pursue the
Luskin Leadership Development Series Certificate of Completion
. Students who complete the Luskin Leadership Development Certificate of Completion will have their names included in the Awards Booklet handed out during commencement and will receive a physical certificate.
In order to obtain the certificate of completion, students must complete the following workshop requirements before
Friday of Week 8
of the student’s
graduating quarter
3 Career Paths Workshops
3 Career Skills Workshops
1 Community Impact Training
1 Volunteer Activity (formerly,
Field Trip
The workshops calendar is updated quarterly and can be accessed
here
For questions about the Luskin Leadership Development Series Certificate of Completion, contact the Capstone Advisor & Coordinator via
MyUCLA Message Center
Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 Visa Students
If you are an F-1 visa student and are interested in engaging in employment in the U.S. directly related to your field of study after you complete your degree, please contact the
Dashew
Center
to discuss your eligibility to apply for
Optional Practical Training (OPT).
If you are eligible to apply for OPT, please schedule an appointment with a
Luskin Public Affairs Undergraduate Program academic counselor
to complete a degree check and have your OPT Degree Verification Form signed.
(Optional) Attend a Luskin Undergraduate Graduation Workshop
OVERVIEW
Are you planning to graduate this year? Attend a Luskin Undergraduate Graduation Workshop to learn about graduation requirements, commencement logistics, resources for graduating students, and how to prepare for your final quarter at UCLA.
WORKSHOP DATES
To help students prepare for commencement and graduation, the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program hosts multiple offerings of the
Luskin Undergraduate Graduation Workshop
in late March and early April.
2026 Luskin Undergraduate Program Graduation Workshops
Workshop Dates:
Friday, April 3, 2026 at 10:30am – 12:00pm
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 1:00pm – 2:30pm
The workshops will be held via Zoom.
here
to receive the Zoom meeting information.
WORKSHOP ELIGIBILITY
The 2026 Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Graduation Workshops are open only to students who are graduating Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026, Summer 2026, and Fall 2026.
UNABLE TO ATTEND?
If you’re unable to attend the workshop, contact the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program via
MyUCLA Message Center
to schedule an appointment with a Luskin undergraduate academic counselor.
Commencement Checklist
Overview of Commencement Ceremonies
Overview
UCLA commencement ceremonies are held in June during finals week of spring quarter. Commencement ceremonies are optional and attendance is not required to obtain your diploma. Degree candidates of the B.A. in Public Affairs are invited to participate in the Luskin School of Public Affairs Commencement ceremony.
Because departments and student organizations host ceremonies for their respective student populations, a UCLA undergraduate student pursuing the B.A. in Public Affairs may have the option to participate in several ceremonies during commencement weekend. Students who are completing a double/triple major may participate in additional School/College, departmental, and student celebrations. You can view more information about departmental ceremonies at
www.commencement.ucla.edu
To participate in commencement ceremonies, students are required to complete the ticket ordering process for each ceremony. Information about ticket ordering, including dates/deadlines, number of tickets, and process for ordering tickets, typically becomes available in early spring quarter.
The Public Affairs Undergraduate Program will notify students when ticket ordering information for the Luskin School of Public Affairs Commencement ceremony becomes available.
Which commencement ceremony do I attend?
Students pursuing the B.A. in Public Affairs may be eligible to participate in multiple commencement ceremonies. Use the chart below to determine which ceremonies you can attend. If you have questions about your eligibility to participate in a ceremony, contact the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program via
MyUCLA Message Center
Public Affairs Major
Public Affairs Major Who Completed a Double/Triple Major
Public Affairs Major Who Completed the College Honors Program
Which ceremony do I attend?
Luskin School of Public Affairs Undergraduate Program ceremony
Luskin
and
Ceremony for the College/School that hosts the other major
Luskin
and
College Honors Recognition Ceremony
When is the ceremony?
Friday, June 12, 2026 at 3pm (PT)
Varies by College/School, check commencement schedule at
commencement.ucla.edu
Typically, Thursday of spring quarter finals week. Click
here
for details (search “College Honors Recognition”).
How do I order tickets?
Submit the
Luskin Senior Exit Survey
to receive the ticket order form. Click
here
for details.
College: Submit the UCLA Senior Survey to access ticket ordering
Other Schools: Contact the School for information
Submit the
College Honors Candidacy Form
Submit the UCLA Senior Survey to access College’s ticket ordering process
Questions?
Contact the
Public Affairs Undergraduate Program
Contact the College or School
Contact the
Honors Program
Questions?
Questions about the Luskin School of Public Affairs Commencement ceremony should be submitted to the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program via
MyUCLA Message Center
. Questions about commencement ceremonies hosted by other Schools/College, departments, and campus programs should be directed to the respective department or campus program.
UCLA Luskin School Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Commencement Ceremony
Overview
The 2026 UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Commencement ceremony is schedule on Friday, June 12, 2026 at 3:00pm. To participate in the Luskin Commencement ceremony students and guests must present a valid guest ticket.
Date:
Friday, June 12, 2026
Time:
3:00pm
Duration:
Approximately 2 hours
Location:
Ackerman Grand Ballroom (
view campus map here
Livestream:
The ceremony will be livestreamed. You can access the livestream on the Luskin website homepage at
www.luskin.ucla.edu
Keynote Speaker
The keynote speaker for the Luskin School of Public Affairs commencement ceremonies will be announced in the future.
Commencement Programs
Click the links below to view and download the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs Commencement bulletin and the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Awards bulletin.
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs 2026 Commencement program (link will become available in early June)
Commencement Ceremony Schedule
Below is a overview of the commencement ceremony schedule:
1:45 pm: B.A. in Public Affairs candidates meet to line up and receive instructions
2:00 pm: Class Photos
2:00pm: Doors open to guests
3:00 pm: Processional (ceremony begins)
4:30 pm: Reception
Guest Check-in
All guests must present a valid guest ticket to enter the commencement venue. Graduating students are responsible for distributing tickets to their guests.
Guest can begin lining up at 1:00pm. Doors open to guests at 2:00pm. Guests should plan to arrive at least an hour in advance of the ceremony to allow ample time for parking, check-in, and bag checks.
Commencement venues will enforce a
clear bag policy
. Guests who bring bags that do not comply with the clear bag policy will be asked to leave their bag in their car. All bags may be subject to search. Large balloon displays, noisemakers, and confetti poppers will be confiscated.
Luskin will be enforcing
UCLA COVID-19 safety guidelines
All UCLA commencement venues are accessible. Please click
here
for more accessibility details.
Guests who need accessible seating should let staff know when they enter the commencement venue. Staff will direct you to the accessible seating area.
Overview
There will be a sign language interpreter at the Luskin Commencement ceremony. They will be stationed on the “audience right” (as you face the stage.)
Accommodations will be made for students with disabilities to participate in the celebration experience. There will be accessible routes at all commencement venues. As part of the student registration process (including registering with the UCLA Center for Accessible Education), accommodations will be made if an attendant or support animal is needed. If an attendant is needed, the attendant must adhere to the commencement ceremony protocols.
Please notify the
Public Affairs Undergraduate Program
and
events@luskin.ucla.edu
if accommodations are needed.
Accessing the Commencement Venue
Guests who need accessible seating should let staff know when they enter the commencement venue. Staff will direct you to the accessible seating area.
Accessible Seating
Guests who need accessible seating should inform event staff at the time of check-in. Staff will direct you to the accessible seating area.
Signers will be available to interpret the ceremony for those who are hearing impaired. They will be stationed on the “audience right” (as you face the stage.) Guests who would like an interpreter will be directed to sit toward the front on the right-hand side of the audience (as you face the stage).
Accessible Parking
All UCLA parking structures have accessible parking. For questions about parking accessibility, contact the UCLA Transportation Office at
Transportation@ts.ucla.edu
or call (310) 794-7433.
Service Animals
Service animals are allowed in the commencement venues. Pets are not allowed inside the commencement venue.
Eligibility to Participate in Commencement
Overview
You are automatically eligible to participate in the 2026 Commencement ceremonies if you:
Have graduated Fall 2025 or Winter 2026,
or
Have completed 148 units by the end of Winter 2026
and
are declared to graduate Spring 2026 or Summer 2026.
Fall
2026 degree
candidates are NOT automatically included in the June 2026 commencement ceremonies. Fall 2026 degree candidates who would like to participate in the June 2026 commencement ceremonies must submit a
Special Inclusion Petition
Luskin Commencement Ceremony
The UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs Undergraduate Program commencement ceremony is open only to undergraduate students who are graduating with a B.A. in Public Affairs and meet the eligibility criteria above.
Special Inclusion Petition (SIP)
Students who do not meet the commencement eligibility criteria for this year’s commencement ceremonies must submit a
Special Inclusion Petition
(linked
here
to participate in the Commencement ceremonies.
For example, a Fall 2026 candidate who wants to participate in the June 2026 commencement ceremonies must submit a Special Inclusion Petition. If a Fall 2026 candidate does not submit a Special Inclusion Petition for the 2026 commencement ceremonies, they will automatically be included in the 2027 commencement ceremonies.
Students who do not meet the commencement eligibility criteria (linked
here
) for the 2026 commencement ceremonies and who would like to participate in the 2025 commencement ceremonies, must submit a
Special Inclusion Petition (link forthcoming)
no later than Friday, April 10, 2026 (Spring 2026, Week 2)
Note: Summer 2026 candidates are not required to submit a Special Inclusion Petition.
Luskin Senior Exit Survey, UCLA Senior Survey, and First Destination Survey
Graduating seniors are invited to participate in several surveys to share information about their experience at UCLA, their experience in the public affairs major, and their post-baccalaureate plans. Only the Luskin Senior Exit Survey is required in order access ticket ordering for the Luskin Commencement ceremony.
Luskin Senior Exit Survey
Graduating students are invited to complete the
Luskin Senior Exit Survey
to share their feedback about their experience in the Public Affairs major. The Luskin Senior Exit Survey opens annually in early Spring quarter. To access to the Luskin Commencement ticket ordering process, Public Affairs majors must opt-in or opt-out of completing the
Luskin Senior Exit Survey
. Students who do not select to opt-in or opt-out of the survey will not have access to order tickets to the Luskin Commencement ceremony.
The 2026 Luskin Senior Exit Survey will open on Spring Break. The deadline for students to opt-in or opt-out for the survey for ticket ordering purposes is Thursday, April 23, 2026.
UCLA Senior Survey
Graduating students are invited to complete the
UCLA Senior Survey
to share their feedback about their experience at UCLA. Students who complete the UCLA Senior Survey are entered into different raffles. You can access the Senior Survey in early Winter quarter
on
MyUCLA
> Academics > “Commencement-Student” > click on the Senior Survey link
First Destination Survey
The First Destination Survey (FDS) is administered by the UCLA Student Affairs Information & Research Office (SAIRO) and is designed specifically to help us learn more about the experiences and aspirations of our recent UCLA graduates. The responses help future Bruins prepare for their career and post-graduation goals. Click
here
to learn more about and access the First Destination Survey.
Ticket Ordering for the Luskin Commencement Ceremony
OVERVIEW
Students pursuing the B.A. in Public Affairs who wish to participate in the Luskin School of Public Affairs Commencement ceremony must confirm their participation in the ceremony by completing the ticket ordering process. Please read the information below for details.
Ticket ordering for the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Commencement ceremony opens annually in late April and close in early May. Students receive an email confirmation with their final ticket order by mid-May.
TICKET ORDERING FOR THE LUSKIN COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY
To participate in the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Commencement ceremony, students must reserve a ticket for themselves and their guests. All tickets are free of cost.
To ensure students have an equitable opportunity to reserve commencement tickets, each student will be offered the same number of tickets and will also have the opportunity to request additional tickets by adding themselves to a ticket wait list. During the ticket ordering process, the student must confirm the number of tickets they are reserving, and if applicable, the number of additional tickets they would like to request. The availability of additional tickets is dependent on how many tickets each student confirms. Students will receive a confirmation email if the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program is able to offer them additional tickets.
For the 2026 Luskin Commencement Ceremony, students will receive 1 ticket for themselves and up to 7 guest tickets. Students may request additional wait list tickets, but there is no guarantee that additional tickets will be granted.
Please note that children need their own ticket unless they can sit on their guardian’s lap for the duration of the ceremony.
TICKET ORDERING TIMELINE AND ACCESS
Ticket ordering for the 2026 UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Commencement ceremony will open Monday, April 6, 2026 and closes Friday, April 24, 2026. Students will receive an email confirmation with their final ticket order (including additional tickets) by Friday, May 8, 2026.
To access the Luskin commencement ticket order form, students must opt-in or opt-out of completing the
Luskin Senior Exit Survey
, and if applicable, submit a
Special Inclusion Petition
. Students who neither opt-in nor opt-out of the Luskin Senior Exit Survey will not be granted access to order tickets to the Luskin School of Public Affairs Commencement.
After the ticket ordering process concludes, students will receive their digital commencement tickets from the UCLA Central Ticket Office 1-2 weeks in advance of the ceremony and no later than June 8, 2026. Each student is responsible for distributing the digital commencement tickets to their guests. Guest must show their digital ticket to gain entrance to the commencement venue.
TICKET ORDERING PROCESS
Follow the steps below to order tickets to the Luskin Commencement Ceremony:
STEP 1: Submit the Luskin Senior Exit Survey
Access the Luskin Senior Exit Survey
here
Deadline to opt-in or opt-out in order to access ticket ordering is Thursday, April 23, 2026.
STEP 2: Access and submit your ticket order
Complete and submit the ticket order form by Friday, April 24, 2026.
The ticket order form will be emailed to students who submit the Luskin Senior Exit Survey.
STEP 3: Review your ticket order confirmation
Students will receive their ticket order confirmation (including additional wait listed tickets) by Friday, May 8, 2026.
STEP 4: Receive your tickets
The UCLA Central Ticket Office will email students their digital commencement ceremony tickets 1-2 weeks in advance of the ceremony and no later than June 8, 2026.
TRANSFERRING TICKETS TO GUESTS
The UCLA Central Ticket Office emails students their digital commencement tickets 1-2 weeks in advance of the ceremony. Tickets will be sent to the preferred email address the student submits on their ticket order form. Students are responsible for forwarding guest tickets to their guests either via email or cell phone. Instructions on how to transfer guests tickets are available
here
STUDENT CONDUCT CODE AND COMMENCEMENT TICKETS
Selling commencement tickets is a violation of the Student Conduct Code (code 102.23c). Students who are found selling commencement tickets will be referred to the Dean of Students. You can read the Student Conduct Code on the
UCLA Office of the Dean of Students website
Parking
Parking Overview
Students and guests can purchase daily parking permits for the commencement ceremonies beginning May 1, 2026, via the Bruin ePermit Portal (linked
here
). When purchasing parking permits, be sure to select “UCLA Commencement” as the event. Please purchase one parking permit per transaction. Learn more about commencement parking at the
UCLA Transportation website
Click this link to purchase parking permits:
Bruin ePermit Portal
Commencement parking is $16 per day per permit (prices are subject to change). Parking permits are nonrefundable.
For questions about parking permits please email
Transportation@ts.ucla.edu
or call (310) 794-7433.
Parking and Transportation Tips
The closest parking lots to the commencement venue are Parking Structures 4, 7, and 8. Access the
interactive campus map here
Purchase your parking permits ahead of time to save time.
Traffic density surrounding the UCLA campus is higher than usual on commencement weekend. Give yourself plenty of time to account for travel time to campus, parking, and travel time to the commencement venue.
Park closest to your last ceremony of the day.
Remember where you parked. Drop a pin, take a picture, write it down.
Cap & Gown, Honor Cords, Senior Portraits, and Yearbook
Cap and Gown
Undergraduate students who participate in the
in-person
commencement ceremonies must wear a black cap/mortar board, black gown, and tassel. The tassel color for the B.A. in Public Affairs is royal blue.
You can order your cap, gown, tassel, and all commencement regalia, from the
UCLA Store Graduation Etc
You can purchase your cap and gown in-person or online from the
UCLA Store Graduation Etc.
beginning February 17, 2026. Online orders take about 1-2 days to process. Students can purchase and pick-up same day orders over the counter.
Honor Cords
Students
are eligible to wear honor cords (or,
fourragere
if they are graduating with Latin Honors or College Honors, and/or if they are recipients of the Chancellor’s Service Award.
Purchase and d
istribution of
onor cords begins Monday, June 1, 2026. Honor cords are not available for online purchase.
You are eligible to receive a refund if you return your honor cords to UCLA Store Graduation Etc.
by Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 5pm (PT). Please contact
UCLA Store Graduation Etc. for details.
Senior Portraits
Student can schedule their senior portraits with
UCLA Grad Etc
UCLA Yearbook
For information about purchasing the UCLA yearbook, please visit
UCLA Bruin Life
Other Regalia
In addition to wearing honor cords, students are permitted to wear sashes, cords, and other regalia that programs and student organizations give to graduating students.
Students may also wear sashes, cords, and leis that are given to them by family and loved ones.
Luskin Commencement Student Speaker and Multilingual Greeters
Student Speaker
Each year, the graduating class of Public Affairs majors nominates and elects a commencement student speaker who will address the graduating class in a 3-5 minutes long speech.
Students who are interested in being considered for the Commencement Student Speaker opportunity must complete the
Public Affairs Commencement Student Speaker Nomination Form
(linked
here
). The nomination form opens on Monday, March 23, 2026 and closes on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
After the nomination period closes, the graduating class of public affairs majors will vote to elect the student speaker by completing the
Public Affairs Commencement Student Speaker Voting Form
(linked
here
). Voting opens on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 and closes on Monday, May 4, 2026. The student speaker will be confirmed by Friday, May 8, 2026.
Multilingual Greeters
The Luskin School of Public Affairs Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony will begin with students welcoming the audience in various languages. This is a welcoming and inclusive feature of the Commencement Ceremony, particularly for bilingual families.
Multilingual greeters will say the same phrase in a different languages. The phrase is: “Welcome to the 2026 Commencement Ceremony of the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs”
If you speak a language other than English and you would like to be one of the multilingual greeters at commencement, submit the
Public Affairs Commencement Multilingual Greeters form
(linked
here
). The form opens Monday, March 23, 2026 and closes Monday, May 4, 2026. Selected students will be notified by Friday, May 8, 2026.
Timeline for Student Speakers and Multilingual Greeters
Below are the student speaker and multilingual greeters dates/deadlines for the 2026 Luskin School of Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Commencement ceremony:
Monday, March 23, 2026 (Spring Break)
Public Affairs Commencement Student Speaker Nomination Form opens
Public Affairs Commencement Multilingual Greeters form opens
Sunday, April 19, 2026 (Spring 2026, Week 4)
Public Affairs Commencement Student Speaker Nomination Form closes
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 (Spring 2026, Week 4)
Public Affairs Commencement Student Speaker Voting Form opens
Monday, May 4, 2026 (Spring 2026, Week 6)
Public Affairs Commencement Student Speaker Voting Form closes
Public Affairs Commencement Multilingual Greeters form closes
Friday, May 8, 2026 (Spring 2026, Week 6)
Public Affairs Commencement Student Speaker is confirmed
Public Affairs Multilingual Greeters are confirmed
Questions?
For questions about the Public Affairs Commencement Student Speaker and/or Multilingual Greeter opportunity, please contact the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program via
MyUCLA Message Center
Class Photo and Commencement Photographer
Class Photos
Prior to the processional (
click here for details
), you will have the opportunity to take a class photo with your fellow graduates. We have limited time before the processional so this will be your only organized opportunity to take photos as a class. Class photos will be available for download at
www.luskin.ucla.edu
Photographer
GradImages professional photography will take each graduate’s picture as they shake hands with the Department Chair when they cross the stage. If you want to receive proofs of your photographs, you must fill out the address information that will be on the back of the name card you will receive when you line up for the processional. Filling out a card and receiving proofs does not obligate you to purchase photographs.
(Optional) Apply to the Chancellor’s Service Award
The
Chancellor’s Service Award
is a
selective award honoring graduating students
who have made significant contributions to UCLA and/or the surrounding Los Angeles community through a sustained record of outstanding leadership and service.
The application typically opens in April and closes in early May.
2026 Luskin Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Commencement Timeline At-A-Glance
The timeline below is intended to serve as an overview of important dates/deadlines pertaining to the 2026 Luskin School of Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Commencement ceremony. For details, please read the corresponding sections of this Public Affairs Graduation and Commencement webpage.
WINTER 2026
Spring Break (March 23-27, 2026)
Monday, March 23, 2026
Luskin Senior Exit Survey opens
First day for eligible Public Affairs majors to submit the
College Honors Candidacy Form for Public Affairs Majors
to the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program
Preferred Name for the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Commencement Ceremony
form opens
Special Inclusion Petition
for Public Affairs Majors opens
Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Commencement Student Speaker Nomination
form opens
Public Affairs Commencement Multilingual Greeter
form opens
SPRING 2026
Week 2 (April 6-10, 2026)
Monday, April 6, 2026
Public Affairs Undergraduate Program commencement ticket ordering opens
Friday, April 10, 2026
Deadline for eligible Public Affairs majors to submit the
College Honors Candidacy Form for Public Affairs Majors
to the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program
Deadline to submit Special Inclusion Petition to access the ticket ordering process
Week 4 (April 20-24, 2026)
Sunday, April 19, 2026
Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Commencement
Student Speaker Nomination Form
closes
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Commencement student speaker voting opens
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Deadline to opt-in or opt-out of the Luskin Senior Exit Survey to access the ticket ordering process
Friday, April 24, 2026
Public Affairs Undergraduate Program commencement ticket ordering closes
Week 5 (April 27 – May 1, 2026)
Friday, May 1, 2026
Preferred Name for the Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Commencement Ceremony
form closes
Deadline for students to confirm their privacy restrictions to be included in the Luskin Commencement bulletin
Week 6 (May 4-8, 2026)
Monday, May 4, 2025
Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Commencement student speaker voting closes
Public Affairs Commencement Multilingual Greeter
form closes
Friday, May 8, 2026
Students receive confirmation of their final commencement ticket order including additional tickets received
Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Commencement student speaker is confirmed
Public Affairs Multilingual Greeters are confirmed
Week 8 (May 18-22, 2026)
Friday, May 22, 2026
Deadline for students to complete and submit the workshop requirements for the
Luskin Leadership Certificate of Completion
Week 10 (June 1-5, 2026)
Monday, June 1, 2026
First day eligible students can begin ordering honor cords at UCLA Grad Etc.
Finals Week (June 8-12, 2026)
Friday, June 12, 2026 at 3:00pm (PST)
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs Undergraduate Program Commencement Ceremony
Post-Spring Quarter (June 15-19, 2026)
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Deadline for students to return honor cords to UCLA Grad Etc. for a refund
After Final Quarter Checklist
Review Your Finals Grades on MyUCLA
Review your final grades and contact your instructors if you have questions about your final grades.
Review Your Final Record
Make sure that your minors, specializations, revisions in enrollment, grade changes, removal of incompletes, and any transactions are posted accurately. Approximately 5-6 weeks after your degree expected term your degree is awarded and posted to your transcript. At that point your UCLA record is sealed and
no further changes are possible
(Optional) Early Degree Posting and Degree Completion Letter
Early Degree Posting
Students who need their degree to be awarded earlier than six weeks after the final term ends can request early degree posting by using the online
early degree posting
process. A
special degree processing fee
is charged to the BruinBill account. For more information, visit the
UCLA Registrar’s Office website
Degree Completion Letter
If you need earlier evidence of your degree after finals grades are posted but before the degree is posted to your transcript, you can request
Degree Completion Letter
. There is no fee for requesting a degree completion letter. For more information, visit the
UCLA Registrar’s Office website
Official Academic Transcripts
You can order an official academic transcript via
MyUCLA
> Classes > “Transcript-Official.” Your transcript will list your official degree about 6-8 weeks after your final term and after your degree is posted to your record. There is no fee for ordering transcripts.
For more information about ordering transcripts visit the
UCLA Registrar’s Office website
Diploma
Diplomas become available approximately 3 months after your degree is awarded. After the third week of your degree-expected term you can access the
MyUCLA
Diploma Request
MyUCLA
> Academics > Diploma Request) to provide diploma release instructions and select a delivery method. Diploma mailing is free. Diplomas not mailed will be held for in-person pick-up at the
UCLA Registrar’s Office
at 1113 Murphy Hall.
iplomas are dated the last day of the term you complete all degree requirements. Degrees for summer candidates are always awarded in September; the Registrar’s Office does not award summer degrees at the end of each summer session.
For more information about diplomas, visit the
UCLA Registrar’s Office website
Important Notes:
The “PA Student Services” hold does not restrict you from obtaining your diploma
You will receive an email from the Registrar’s Office when your diploma is ready.
Update your contact information on
MyUCLA
to ensure that you receive all email communications from the UCLA Registrar’s Office. You can update your contact information on
MyUCLA
> Settings > “Official Email/Address/Phone.”
MyUCLA Access and UCLA Email
All UCLA graduates will continue to have access to their
MyUCLA
account. If you would like to continue receiving emails sent to your @ucla.edu account, you can either switch to a
Google Apps
hosted email or activate the
lifetime email forwarding mechanism
on your account. No action is required if you already have Google Apps. Direct any questions to the
UCLA IT Support Center.
UCLA Career Center, Handshake, UCLA Alumni Association, and UCLA ONE
The Luskin School of Public Affairs Undergraduate Program
encourages you to take advantage of the UCLA resources available to you.
You will have
access to all
UCLA Career Center
services for three months after you graduate. Y
ou will
have access to
Handshake
for a full year after you graduate.
UCLA graduates are automatically part of the
UCLA Alumni Association
Visit their website to learn more about the professional and networking opportunities offered by the UCLA Alumni Association.
All UCLA students and graduates
also
have access to
UCLA ONE
Your Alumni Network!
An exciting next step of your journey as a Luskin undergraduate student is engaging with your alumni network! As an alumnus from UCLA, Luskin School of Public Affairs, and Public Affairs major, you have the opportunity to choose your level of engagement with each of these sectors. Read the information below to learn about the alumni opportunities available to you.
UCLA Alumni Association
Connect with the UCLA alumni network by participating in UCLA wide programming designed specifically for UCLA alumni.
Participate in the alumni affinity groups and mentoring opportunities.
Membership is free for all UCLA graduates.
Visit the
Alumni Association
website to learn more about the professional and networking opportunities offered by the UCLA Alumni Association.
Visit the
UCLA ONE
website to engage with and mentor UCLA undergraduate students.
Luskin Alumni Network
Stay connected with Luskin and join an alumni network of over 9,000 professionals to ensure you leverage our expansive Alumni community’s benefits and resources.
To learn more, visit the
Luskin Alumni Relations
website.
Public Affairs Alumni Network
Remain connected to your Public Affairs peers to help the Luskin Undergraduate Program build a robust alumni network.
Public Affairs alumni are invited to serve on career panels and capstone seminar guest presentations.
Consider serving as a capstone internship site supervisor for future public affairs majors. Visit the
Experiential Learning
webpage for prospective community partners to learn how to become an internship site for public affairs majors.
May
12
Join Dr. Jasmine Smith, the Director of Capacity Building with the NASW-CA Chapter to learn about the social work licensure process, including key steps, requirements, and guidance for navigating the licensure pathway.
May
29
Join us for a Career Tour at Google LA to discover how leaders in technology are shaping policy, social impact, community engagement, and responsible innovation.
View Calendar
Contact
UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs
3250 Public Affairs Building - Box 951656
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1656
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Contact
Academic Calendar
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Diversity
University of California
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The statements on this page represent the views of people affiliated with the Luskin School of Public Affairs and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of California, or UCLA or its Chancellor.
Posts and comments by individuals at UCLA on social media channels may not reflect the opinions or
policies of UCLA
, the University of California or the Luskin School, nor its benefactors and academic partners.
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