Commencement

Students who applied for graduation and were awarded degrees in Fall 2024 are eligible for commencement.

Students who applied for graduation and were awarded degrees in Summer 2024 are eligible for commencement.

The special considerations list has closed.

Students who missed the Spring Graduation Application deadline of February 17, 2025, and want to participate in the Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony, should meet with a counselor to request Special Consideration. Additionally, students who will complete graduation requirements in Summer 2025 can also request Special Consideration to participate in the Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony.

Please note that this request is based on space availability.

Students will need to work with a counselor to verify that they have met all graduation requirements for either the spring 2025 or summer 2025 semesters. The counselor will then need to fill out and submit the Special Consideration form. Students who are part of Special Consideration will still need to submit a graduation application between  March 24, 2025 – June 26, 2025 through Admissions and Records.

Students who are graduating under “Special Considerations” will not be evaluated for Honors or High Honors and the designation will not appear in the commencement program. If you have any additional questions, contact the Counseling Department.

For more information regarding timelines, name changes, diploma delivery and duplicate diploma requests visit Admissions and Records.

Check-in and line-up for graduates is from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. on May 31, 2025. Look for the high flying balloons to direct you to two main lines between Building 1400 and the baseball field. The lines will continue down to Building 2400.

If the graduate has their name/reader card, they will line up in one of two graduate processional lines between Building 1400 and the baseball field. If the graduate has lost their name/reader card, they should visit the help desk located between Building 1400 and Building 2400 and bring a physical valid ID.

The ceremony will begin with a processional line of graduates. You will hand your name/reader card to the person who is announcing names of graduates and then you will walk across the stage to receive a certificate of participation. At the end, you’ll move your tassel to the side to show you’ve graduated.

Restrooms are available in Building 1700 and Building 1400.

At this time, guests do not need tickets to enter but graduates are limited to four (4) guests in total. Please note that guest seating is on a first come, first served basis. Reserving seats at commencement is prohibited.

Parking will be free for graduates and guests on rehearsal day and commencement day. Graduates and guest parking for the commencement ceremony will be available in all student parking lots.

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• Parking is available for graduates and guests in student parking lots, including the parking structure, student parking 3000, student parking 4, student parking 5, student parking 7 and student parking 10.
• Accessible parking for graduates and visitors will be available in staff and student lot 4 (right next to Sherbeck Field and Building 1700.
• Staff parking lot A and staff and student parking lot 8 will be blocked off all day for VIP guests.
• Staff are encouraged to park in staff lots C East, C West, B2 East and E.

If you require disability support services, please contact Disability Support Services at 714-992-7099 or email  dsp@fullcoll.edu, and let us know how we may properly accommodate you. Requests must be made two weeks in advance of commencement.

The stage will have ramps to accommodate students with mobility challenges, such as those using wheelchairs or crutches.

Your guests with mobility challenges (e.g., wheelchair users) may utilize an accessible seating area on a first come first served basis. Signs and staff will provide directions to this seating area.

If you have misplaced your name/reader card, please bring a physical valid ID card (e.g. driver’s license, state ID, passport, etc.) with you to commencement.

You can visit the help desk located between Building 1400 and Building 2400 where students will be able to receive a substitute name/reader card. Please note that a photo of your ID card, such as an image on a phone, is not accepted.

Fullerton College has partnered with GradImages to take professional portraits of all graduates during the commencement ceremony. Photos will be available for purchase following the ceremony. There is no cost to have your photo taken and no obligation to purchase. If you would like to receive your photo proofs, please visit www.gradimages.com.

For more information, please contact GradImages.

Stoles are a decorative scarf-like garment worn over graduation attire to signify academic achievements or affiliations. All graduates will receive a complimentary Fullerton College with their cap and gown.

Program and society specific stoles are awarded to members of certain programs or clubs as special recognition. Please refer to your specific program for more information.

Graduates are allowed to bring and wear their own stoles to the commencement ceremony if it is not offensive or inappropriate.

An honors cord is a braided rope worn around the neck during graduation, symbolizing academic achievement. Graduates with Honors or High Honors will be given cords during the purchase and pickup of their cap and gown from the Fullerton College Bookstore from May 12-23, 2025.

Please note: Honors/High Honors is not the same as the Honors Program. Honors and High Honors is strictly based off a student’s grade point average. The Honors Program is based off a different set of requirements.

Graduates are allowed to decorate their caps if it is not offensive or inappropriate. Graduates are not allowed to decorate their gowns.

• Pay close attention to the forecast as the commencement ceremony will be held outdoors in Sherbeck Field rain or shine.
• Temperatures can be warm. We recommend you wear light comfortable clothing under your cap and gown.
• You will be walking on grass turf to get to your seats, so high heels are not recommended; we recommend wearing comfortable shoes.