Graduation
Welcome to the SPPD graduation information website. This site is provided for students to obtain information about commencement-related activities and the SPPD satellite ceremonies.
Save the Date!
Students Graduating Fall 2008, Spring 2009, or Summer 2009
Main USC Commencement Ceremony
SPPD Commencement Events
SPPD Satellite Ceremonies
SPPD Satellite Ceremony for Undergraduate Students
SPPD Satellite Ceremony for Graduate Students
Satellite Ceremony DVD
USC Commencement
Save the Date!
The University of Southern California's 126th commencement exercises will be held on Friday, May 15, 2009.
Students Graduating Fall 2008, Spring 2009 or Summer 2009
Doctoral Students
February 1, 2009 – deadline for Ph.D., DPA and DPDS students to notify June Muranaka of intentions to complete degree in May 2009 or August 2009. Please provide June Muranaka with your full name, listing of previous degrees, name of Dissertation Committee Chair and title of dissertation
Masters Students
November 14, 2008 – deadline for submitting applications for graduation for May 2009 and August 2009 graduation. Please visit this link to download a degree specific application.
Undergraduate Students
Students do not need to fill out an application to graduate. However, students who plan on graduating this academic year, 2008-2009, should be in contact with Faye Cameron.
Main USC Commencement Ceremony
The main ceremony is for all graduates and their families. SPPD students are to assemble Friday morning by 8:00 a.m. at Von Kleinsmid Center (VKC) along Trousdale Parkway. The processional will take place at 8:30 a.m.; the Commencement Ceremony will start at 9:00 a.m. and last for about an hour. All 8,000 graduates march in under their school's heraldic flag before receiving their degrees as a class. This ceremony (seen around the world on television and the internet) features performances by the USC band, brief speeches by the valedictorian, keynote speaker, and the president. After this ceremony, there are individual school satellite ceremonies where each graduate is recognized.
Quick Link: USC Commencement
SPPD Commencement Events
SPPD Awards Ceremony
Participants of the SPPD Awards Ceremony include undergraduates, master's students, and doctoral candidates. The ceremony recognizes the various accomplishments of the graduating students in SPPD, such as academic excellence and community contribution. This event is by invitation.
SPPD Doctoral Hooding Ceremony
The SPPD Doctoral Hooding Ceremony for Ph.D. and DPDS candidates will take place during the graduate satellite ceremony on Friday, May 15, at 2 p.m.
SPPD Satellite Ceremonies
Commencement ceremonies are held once a year during the month of May. There will be two SPPD satellite ceremonies following the USC Commencement Ceremony. A satellite ceremony and reception for undergraduate students will immediately follow the USC Commencement Ceremony, at approximately 10:30 a.m. A satellite ceremony and reception for graduate students will begin at 2:00 p.m.
SPPD Satellite Ceremony for Undergraduate Students
Immediately following USC's main Commencement (approximately 10:30 a.m.), SPPD will host a satellite ceremony and reception for all SPPD undergraduates on Childs Way, in between Ralph and Goldy Lewis Hall and Popovich Hall. Please contact Chris Wilson for information at sppdgrad@usc.edu.
SPPD Satellite Ceremony for Graduate Students
At 2 p.m., SPPD will host a satellite ceremony and reception for all SPPD graduate students on Childs Way, in between Ralph and Goldy Lewis Hall and Popovich Hall. Please contact Chris Wilson for information at sppdgrad@usc.edu.
Satellite Ceremony DVD
A DVD of the SPPD Satellite Ceremony is available for sale. Please complete the 2009 SPPD Commencement DVD Order Form and include it with payment. We can accept only check or money orders drawn on a U.S. bank. Please make check or money order payable to "USC." Please send this form along with payment to:
University of Southern California
School of Policy, Planning, and Development
650 Childs Way - RGL 111
Los Angeles, California 90089-0626
Attn: Christine Wilson
Commencement Coordinator
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Chris Wilson, SPPD's Commencement Coordinator, at sppdgrad@usc.edu or 213-740-4127.