Graduation
Based on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the university has decided to postpone our traditional May commencement ceremony. Degrees will be conferred virtually in May, with future plans to host an in-person celebration for the Class of 2020 on campus. We know how important this milestone is for our students and their families who supported them on this journey. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we work through options that will allow us to honor Marymount graduates and celebrate their accomplishments together.
Degree conferral
Graduation (conferral) is the actual date your diploma is awarded. The conferral date is determined by your final course completion date, once all the academic degree requirements have been met.
The annual commencement ceremony that celebrates your degree conferral is held at the conclusion of the spring semester each year. At the commencement ceremony, students walk across the stage and receive a ceremonial diploma from their academic dean and the university president. See commencement details below.
The Registrar will notify students of their expected term of graduation at the appropriate time in the degree program, which is at 45 units for associate degree candidates and enrollment in the first semester of capstone or research for bachelor’s and master’s candidates. Students must notify the Registrar of any changes to the degree program that might affect the expected term of graduation no later than the end of the semester prior to the student’s final expected semester.
The official conferral dates each year are as follows: the final day in which all degree requirements have been met for the fall semester, spring semester or varied summer sessions with the last summer semester conferral date falling on the final weekday in August. Once a degree is conferred, students cannot add, edit or alter the degree with concentrations, emphases, majors or minors.
Your diploma will be mailed to the home address listed in the system. Report any change of address, phone number or email address in writing directly to the Office of the Registrar via a change of address form.
Commencement is an important and memorable occasion for graduates and their families. Celebrate this exciting lifetime milestone with the Marymount community at our 2020 Commencement Ceremonies.
Date to be announced – Mass and Blessing of the Hoods
The Hooding Ceremony and Commencement Mass are very special events. All graduates, their families and friends are invited to join Marymount faculty and staff as one community in this spirit-filled celebration. The liturgy includes a ceremonial blessing of the academic hood for each graduate.
The liturgy will be held on the Marymount Oceanview Campus in Rancho Palos Verdes. All graduates are encouraged to take part in this celebration.
Graduates gather in The Commons for robing and line-up for the march. Faculty and staff gather in C112. The liturgical ministers, trustees and priests gather in C114 for robing, line-up and procession.
| TBA | Graduates report to The Commons Faculty and staff report to C112; Liturgical ministers report to C114.Wear your gown and carry your hood on your left arm. There is no cap at Mass. |
| TBA | Procession into Mass Marshals – Graduates – Faculty and Staff |
| TBA | Welcome Remarks Liturgical Procession Cross Bearer – Liturgical Ministers – Trustees and University President – Guest Priests – Presider |
Date to be announced, Graduation Ceremony
Time TBA
Graduates assemble in The Commons
Cap, gown, hood and tassel are required for the Commencement Ceremony. Once students have reported to the robing area, they will participate in several pre-graduation activities and may rejoin their families after the Commencement Ceremony.
Parents and friends are not permitted in the robing area. There will be many opportunities for family photos after the ceremony.
Time TBA
A group picture of the graduates will be taken prior to the Commencement Ceremony. Pictures will be mailed to graduates in late August, along with their diplomas.
Time TBA
Procession line-up
Time TBA
Commencement procession begins
Marymount students
Faculty/Staff
Dais Party
Commencement information will be updated when new dates have been established.
Announcements with the school seal needing to be customized by the students can be purchased at the bookstore.
Parking
Due to the high number of graduation candidates and our parking limitations, each graduating student will be allowed a maximum of two (2) cars parked on campus.
- Permits are only for vehicles which fit into regular parking spaces – no limousines, oversize vans, etc.
- Each student will receive two (2) official parking permits (dates to be announced), at the same time regalia is purchased at the bookstore.
- Extra passes WILL NOT be distributed or re-issued. In the event that passes are lost or misplaced, guests will be directed to park off-campus at pre-designated parking areas.
- Permits should be clearly displayed on the vehicle’s dashboard.
IMPORTANT: OFFICIAL COMMENCEMENT PARKING PERMITS DO NOT GUARANTEE PARKING ON CAMPUS.
Because seating and parking are not guaranteed, early arrival is strongly recommended, at least one hour or more before the ceremony. Also, keep in mind that the campus will be closed to incoming traffic once parking has reached full capacity.
MCU shuttle service will be provided for those parking off-campus.
Special needs
- ONLY DMV issued handicapped placards will allow parking on designated area. Placards should be clearly displayed or available so that traffic officers can guide guests to special parking area.
- Limited handicapped and special needs parking will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Golf cart transportation will be provided to those needing assistance.
Commencement Ceremony, date to be announced, 11:00 a.m.
- Seating and parking are not guaranteed, and heavy traffic is anticipated. Please plan for delays.
- On-campus parking fills quickly, so allow enough travel time to arrive at least one hour before the ceremony.
- Once on-campus parking is full, guests will be directed to additional parking lots – maps of the locations will be printed on the back of the parking permits.
Guest seating
- Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The saving of seats will not be permitted.
- Seating is not guaranteed, and a big number of guests is anticipated. Please plan for enough travel time to arrive at least one hour before the ceremony. Ceremony starts at 11:00 a.m.
- Please be aware that seating will be outdoors; no covering will be provided. It is advised that attendees use sunscreen and, if necessary, wear a hat. Umbrellas will not be allowed because they will obstruct other guests’ view during the ceremony. Women may prefer not to wear high-heeled shoes.
Special needs seating for guests
- If any guests have difficulty walking, it would be to their advantage to bring a wheelchair. The University does not provide wheelchairs for rent.
- Golf cart transportation will be provided only to those needing assistance.
Students will NOT be allowed to march without FULL REGALIA, meaning cap, gown, tassel and Marymount hood.
Students who are eligible to participate (check with your advisor) and who have settled all debts with the university will be able to purchase their cap, gown, hood and tassel at the bookstore. Details will be forthcoming at a later date when new ceremony is scheduled.
Graduation protocol indicates that NO ORNAMENTATION may be worn on academic attire. Caps are not to be decorated. Inappropriate items will be removed prior to procession. For approved cords and stoles, see your honor society representative: Delta Epsilon Sigma, Professor Carlos Royal; Psy Chi, Professor Kevin Kaeochinda, and Sigma Beta Delta, Professor Suzanne Brust.
Dress Decorum: For Mass on Friday, please keep in mind that it will be cold in the tent, dress appropriately under your gown. For Saturday, the weather is normally warmer. Female students please refrain from wearing heels that are too high, or stilettos, as they make it very difficult to walk across the stage. Male students please wear long pants –not any type of shorts – and dark color shoes. This is a special day, look your best!
If you have any outstanding accounts at Marymount, you will not be able to participate in the ceremonies. Your diploma and transcripts will be held until all accounts have been cleared.
| Settle outstanding accounts: | Where: |
| Unpaid Tuition, Parking Tickets, etc. | Student Accounts, OC AD110 |
| Financial Aid | Financial Aid Office OC AD111 |
| Overdue Library Books/fines | Library Cecilia Hall OC C200 |
| Student Conduct | The Villas, Mariner’s Landing, SPRC Rm. 202 |
Announcement portraits
If you would like to have a formal portrait wearing the Marymount regalia, please contact Joey Ikemoto Photography Studio at (310) 212-7366 or www.joeyikemoto.com
Ceremony photos
GradImages® will be the official photographer at your graduation ceremony. Three pictures will be taken of each graduate—a close-up shot, one while receiving his or her diploma and another after crossing the stage. Also, a class picture and group pictures of selected students (Study Abroad, PTK, DES, etc.) will be taken. Your photos will be available to view and order by visiting their website at www.gradimages.com. Simply enter your Last Name, your School Name: School, and select 2020 from the dropdown menu. Once you see your name, click on the link to view your photos.
If you need additional help to locate your photos, call their customer service department at 800-261-2576 or email them at giservice@gradimages.com.
Upon Commencement, you will become a member of the Marymount California University Alumni Association, which includes alumni worldwide. The Alumni Association makes it easy for you to stay connected, engaged and involved with your alma mater.
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Special Graduation Weekend Offer
Degree and enrollment verification
A verification is a request for a university to verify a student’s degree and enrollment information. Unlike a transcript, a verification is simply a confirmation of degrees earned and does not include course grades. Students may need certification of enrollment to defer student loans, provide proof of enrollment for health insurance, verify degrees for prospective employers or show proof of academic standing to enroll in another institution.
- An enrollment verification may not be requested until after until the add/drop deadline has passed.
- We verify one semester at a time.
- We can verify the current semester and the prior semester of enrollment.
- The Registrar cannot give grades as part of an enrollment verification, so you will need to request an official transcript instead.
- Lenders will require a new enrollment verification each semester.
- The Registrar will provide an enrollment verification should a deferment need to be resubmitted or faxed.
- There is no charge to fax deferment forms.
- It may take up to 72 hours to process your request.
Please refer to the enrollment and degree verification form to request a verification of enrollment status or a letter of completion confirming the conferral of your degree.