Frequently Asked Questions

You must apply to graduate through MYCSULB Student Center to be eligible to graduate.

• Apply to Graduate - Undergraduate Students
• Apply to Graduate - Graduate Students

If you have applied to graduate for Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Spring 2021, Summer 2021 or Fall 2021 (before the published deadlines), you will be eligible to participate in the 2021 ceremonies and your name will be listed in the program.

If you have applied to graduate through MYCSULB for Fall 2019, Winter 2020, Spring 2020, Summer 2020 or Fall 2020, you will be eligible to participate in the 2020 ceremonies.

If you have applied to graduate through MYCSULB for Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Spring 2021, Summer 2021 or Fall 2021, you will be eligible to participate in the 2021 ceremonies.

A refund will not be issued because the 'Apply to Graduate' fee pays for services already rendered, including the costs of your degree audit as well as creating and shipping your diploma.

The fee also partially funds the Commencement ceremony. Commencement is currently scheduled for May 28-31, 2021.

If you are a Fall 2019 graduate, you are eligible to participate in the 2020 ceremonies and your name would be listed in either of the published 2019 or 2020 programs (as long as you applied to graduate by the appropriate deadline).

If you are a Fall 2020 graduate, you will be eligible to participate in either the 2020 or 2021 ceremonies and your name will be listed in the either program (as long as you applied to graduate by the appropriate deadline).

If you are a Fall 2021 candidate, you will be eligible to participate in either the 2021 or 2022 ceremonies and your name will be listed in either program (as long as you applied to graduate by the appropriate deadline).

Seniors, did you know that your @student.csulb.edu email address expires 1 year after graduation? Update your contact information on the Student Alumni page with your non- student email address to stay connected on Commencement related activities.

To ensure continued communication with the Class of 2020, we have extended student email accounts for six additional months.

GPA honors are not recognized at the ceremony (GPAs are not calculated until your degree has been granted, several weeks after the end of the semester.) If you have graduated prior to the ceremony and know your final GPA, you can purchase an honor cord at the University Bookstore and note your honor level through personalized grad announcements (also available through the Bookstore).

To inquire about honors within a major, contact your college coordinator.

Yes, regalia is available for purchase through the University Bookstore. Purchase your graduation regalia through the website.

Purchase your graduation regalia through the website, https://www.balfour.com/csulb. There is no deadline for purchasing caps and gowns. Any orders placed now are shipped to the customer directly.

Need assistance placing an order? Contact Balfour via email or by phone 1-800-433-0296.

For grads who wish to follow up on an existing order or would like to return their cap/gown can contact Balfour via email or by phone 1-833-714-0701.

MarchingOrder is a vendor contracted by the Commencement Team to enable students to create a shareable graduate slide and name recording. These items will be utilized during the in- person ceremonies, photo opportunities, and as downloadable content.

Grad slides will populate with the following information retrieved from Enrollment Services:

1. Full Name
2. Degree 1, Major 1, College 1
3. (if applicable) Degree 2, Major 2, College 2, Graduation Term and Year

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Due to limited character space, degree minors or additional academic plans will not be included on the grad slides. Certificates and credentials may be categorized as second degrees.

Information fields will be locked and cannot be edited by students.

Graduates must login to MarchingOrder to provide guidance on name pronunciation. The deadline has been extended to April 16. Click the ‘submit’ button to save your updates and log back into the system any time before the extended deadline of May 7 to submit a photo and/or quote. Grad slides will be available starting commencement week on the commencement website to download and share.

Graduates participating in commencement will be assigned to either the Class of 2020 or Class of 2021. March 1, 2020 was the date used to determine graduating class.

Students who completed their application to graduate on or before March 1 are recognized as the Class of 2020. Students completing the application after March 1 are recognized as the Class of 2021. We understand that some students may not identify with the assigned class and unfortunately this information cannot be changed. Please note that the student’s actual graduation term and year, as recognized by Enrollment Services, will be on all graduate slides displayed at the Graduate Recognition Stages at Angel Stadium and on the slide that students can download from the commencement website.

GradImages will be on campus during the Spring semester to hold free graduation photo sittings. These photography sessions are by appointment only to ensure that we follow appropriate protocols and distancing. Masks are required and students must take the COVID survey prior to coming to campus.

Upcoming sitting dates

Register for:

• Friday, May 7

For questions about graduation photo sittings or photo packages, please call 562-985-7711 or email fns-graduation@csulb.edu.

For personalized graduation announcements, it is recommended to avoid any detailed ceremony information at this time.

Cultural graduation celebrations are hosted each spring by the Division of Student Affairs and student organizations. For more information, please visit the Cultural Graduation Celebrations website or contact the office of the Division of Student Affairs.

Details are available on the Ceremony page. Commencement ceremonies will comply with Commencement and Outdoor Stadium Live Performance guidance by the California Department of Public Health. More information on Angel Stadium's Health and Safety Protocols are available on their website.

The California Department of Public Health released guidelines for Commencement ceremonies. Under these guidelines the campus must adhere to limitations as defined within the current CDPH Outdoor Seated Live Events and Performances Guidance (.pdf). In order to best comply with the guidelines and rapidly pivot to provide an in-person experience for over 25,000 graduates of the Class of 2020 and Class of 2021, the campus has contracted with Angel Stadium.

Socially distanced ceremonies will take place at a limited capacity. There will be two ceremonies per day and graduates will attend based on their college’s designated date. The President and executive team will present and confer degrees at this ceremony. Remarks will be given by distinguished speakers, outstanding graduates and Dean of your school. Although the Classes of 2020 and 2021 will share the same ceremony time, their degrees will be conferred separately.

ASL Interpreting will be provided at all in-person commencement ceremonies, available live at the stadium. Information regarding how students and community members can request disability-related accommodations can be found on the link below. To request disability-related accommodations, complete the Bob Murphy Access Center Event Request Form. Students and guests may request additional accommodations outside of Deaf and Hard of Hearing requests using this same form. Please note that a BMAC Event Request Form will also be required for wheel chair seating and accommodations. All accommodation requests for graduates and guests must be submitted by May 12. 

Graduates who requested accommodations will receive their graduate ticket when they gather to process at Tunnel A. Angels personnel will be at the BMAC table distributing tickets for this group prior to the ceremony start time. All guest accommodation tickets for NON-GRADUATES have been distributed electronically. For additional questions and accommodation needs, please visit a BMAC table the day of.

ASL INTERPRETING AND CAPTIONING: 

• ASL Interpreting will be featured at all ceremonies
•  Students and guests will have 2 options if requiring access to closed captioning during Commencement:
  • Closed captioning within the Ballpark App. See the “Closed Captioning Instructions – MLB App” attachment for instructions. Attendees are advised to bring a battery pack and/or an iPad/tablet for continual or enlarged access to the Ballpark App.
  • Seating on the field in front of the Diamond Club patio. There will be TV screens in the Diamond Club patio that will have closed captioning on display, in addition to a view of the Commencement stage. Please check in with at the BMAC check in table and inform them that you will need to view closed captioning.

Commencement ceremonies will take place as scheduled, rain or shine. Graduates and guests (those with tickets permitted in the stadium, as well as those watching from a personal device in their vehicles) are advised to plan for extreme weather conditions, including high heat. Guests and graduates should plan to arrive an hour prior and should dress accordingly for sitting outside in the sun and for climbing stadium stairs. For guests who will remain in their vehicles should also dress for outdoor exposure.

GRADUATE TICKET

You will receive your single graduate ticket to enter the stadium when you arrive on your ceremony day. Go to Tunnel A, near Gate #6, and join classmates in the procession line. Once in line, you will receive your stadium ticket by showing your MarchingOrder GradPass (this is the same GradPass that activates your grad slide and name reading at the Graduate Recognition Stages in the parking lot). To access your GradPass, log in to MarchingOrder  then save a digital copy or print a hard copy to have available at your ceremony.

You need to show your GradPass at Tunnel A in order to claim your graduate ticket for stadium-entry. A stadium ticket is required to participate in the procession and enter Angel Stadium. You and your classmates will have the best seats in the park, seated in a reserved graduate section, facing the main stage. In the commencement tradition, graduates will be seated together, while family and guests will be seated in a separate section.  

A help desk will be available on site for any graduates without a GradPass. To expedite stadium-entry, have your GradPass on-hand, either on your phone or as a printout.

Due to health directives, only ticketed persons will be allowed inside the venue and they will be required to remain in their seats during the program. 

GUEST TICKETS

To redeem your two guest tickets, use the following step-by-step process: 

1. Log in to your Single Sign-On
2. Select the new ‘Graduation Tickets’ chiclet to be redirected to the Commencement Information page
3. You will be provided your Ceremony, One-time unique Offer Code, and unique Ceremony Link
4. Selecting the Ceremony Link takes you to the Offer Code site to Input the offer code from the Ceremony Information page
5. Select the section you wish for your guest tickets, you may select any two seats
6. After you select any two seats confirm by selecting ‘continue’
7. If you have not yet created an MLB account, you will do so at this time; this is how you will receive the tickets
8. You will then be directed to your shopping cart to complete your checkout
9. After checkout you will be emailed a confirmation and a link to download the MLB app – once you install the MLB app, you will have your two guest tickets and be able to forward them to your guests email addresses. 

DO NOT SHARE YOUR GUEST CODE OR UNIQUE CEREMONY LINKS! YOU MUST CLAIM YOUR GUEST TICKETS YOURSELF, USING THIS STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS, AND THEN DISTRIBUTE TICKETS TO YOUR GUESTS!

Your unique code is limited to a one-time use. Unique guest codes cannot be duplicated. Once the two guest tickets are claimed, your code is void.

Guests will use the mobile-only entry ticketing system to enter the stadium and can have their digital tickets available on their phone. Guests may also print their tickets. Each guest ticket allows entry to the stadium for one guest only. Once a ticket is scanned at a gate that ticket is void. Stadium re-entry is not permitted. Access to suites and additional tickets are NOT for sale.

Please note, CSULB does not authorize the sale or exchange of complimentary tickets.

• We apologize in advance for any technical difficulties. Should the MLB site lock, we recommend that after you create your account, you clear your computer history and log back into your account. It may continue to say that you’ve used the code too many times; but please wait about five minutes and refresh the page again. You could also opt to try a different browser.
• Unfortunately, tickets cannot be changed once they’ve been selected and after you’ve completed your checkout. There will be multiple large screens within the stadium to help with visuals and all seats will have ample screen views. All seats are good seats.
• As long as you didn’t complete your checkout, you can still use your code. Please log out and sign in again to search for available tickets.
• It is important that you do not share your code because once the tickets are claimed the code is void.
• Please use your confirmation email to forward guest tickets or you may take a screenshot of the barcoded tickets and forward them to your guests. Here is a video to help you navigate through the App to locate your tickets: Ballpark App Tutorial.mp4 | Powered by Box
• It is anticipated that for all ceremonies, the stadium will reach maximum allowable capacity. A limited quantity of tickets are available, and ceremonies may meet capacity prior to a code being utilized; as such tickets are now available on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS.

The stage will be on Second Base facing Home Plate. Those seats beyond the 1st and 3rd base lines will have ample Screen Views. 

Ticket allocation is based on current health guideline density limits. If/when the allocation can be increased to allow one or more additional tickets per graduate at every ceremony then additional tickets will be sent via graduate’s email address. Note – stadium suites are part of the overall seating arrangements for the ceremonies and are included in our density counts per public health guidelines. Access to suites and additional tickets are NOT for sale.

Each graduate is asked to limit their parking to a two vehicle allotment, including a vehicle for themselves and one for their guests. However, Parking Passes will NO longer be required to enter Angel Stadium’s parking lot for commencement. This change allows for a more efficient entry into the lot. Masks are required upon entry of the Angel Parking lot.

Parking lots open 90 minutes before ceremony start time. Each graduate is asked to limit their parking to a two vehicle allotment, including a vehicle for themselves and one for their guests. However, Parking Passes will NO longer be required to enter Angel Stadium’s parking lot for commencement. This change allows for a more efficient entry into the lot. Health and safety guidelines will be enforced in the parking lot by Angel Stadium parking attendants, including face masks and social distancing. The ceremony live stream will be available on the commencement website and may be viewed on a personal phone or tablet by guests without a ticket to enter the stadium. Note, the live stream will not be available to watch from a public screen in the parking lot and all guests without a stadium ticket must watch the live stream on a personal device. For more information on stadium wi-fi, visit the stadium's website.

Utilizing your submitted name pronunciation (DEADLINE EXTENDED TO APRIL 16) and Graduate Slide (DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 7), Graduate Recognition Stages will be available throughout the Angel Stadium parking lot for photo opportunities. These microstages offer a unique opportunity for graduates to hear their name announced and to see their customized graduate slide displayed along with their guests.  

When you enter the parking lot, please have no more people than seat belts for your two allowed vehicles. Alcohol and tailgating are not permitted in the parking lot. Vehicles longer than 20 feet are discouraged and may be turned away should parking spaces become limited. Know that guests without stadium tickets will be allowed to wait for you in the parking lot.

While Rideshare drop off may be at the Gates, pickup will be on the street, outside of the parking lot. Graduates and guests needing to be picked up by Rideshare after the ceremony, will need to walk across the parking lot, exit the lot, and arrange to be picked up off site.

Flower sales and preorder pickup will conveniently be available on site. Any preordered flowers can be picked up at the stadium the day of your ceremony. Click to view and order your grad flowers.

The 49er Shops will also be located on site and throughout the parking lot, open before, during, and after the ceremonies. Get your Beach Gear and grad gear at the stadium!

All banners and signs brought into the stadium must meet the following guidelines: they must be in good taste (as determined by Angels Baseball personnel); cannot be commercial, political or obscene in nature; are not allowed anywhere within the playing field; may not be affixed to any ballpark wall, staff, or pole; cannot cover up any advertising in the ballpark; and must be limited in size to 3 feet tall by 12 feet wide and be made of a fire retardant material.

Confetti, air horns and balloons are NOT allowed inside the stadium.

To ensure you and your guests have the best possible commencement experience, it is highly recommended that you arrive early. Parking lots open 90 minutes before ceremony start time. You’ll need ample time for parking, security check and temperature screen, then join the procession line while your guests find their seats.

Clear and small bags are allowed, per the specific stadium size guidelines (see Ceremony page for details), and carry-in items will be limited to one sealed plastic water bottle or empty reusable bottle. Graduates should note that although small and clear bags are allowed, use of such items are subject to security checks and will delay entry into the stadium.

As soon as you arrive, go to Tunnel A, near Gate #6 and join your classmates in processing into the stadium! You and your fellow grads will process as you arrive to ensure that everyone is able to emerge on the field, cross the platform, and take their seats before the ceremony begins. The graduate procession will be shown on the stadium scoreboard. The procession will close 15 minutes before the ceremony begins and graduates that arrive late will be instructed to go directly to their seats. Ensure that your guests are seated as soon as possible so they may cheer your arrival into the stadium and see you cross the graduate platform. Please reference the Angel Stadium map for details.

Inside the stadium, graduates will process as they arrive and the procession will begin shortly after the parking lot and Gates open, one-hour before the ceremony start time. Graduates will line up at tunnel A and emerge on the playing field. Graduates will step up onto and cross a platform set up just for them, then proceed to their seats. The procession will be displayed on the jumbo screens for guests to enjoy, however, due to limited ceremony time, no graduate names will be announced inside the stadium. The procession will close 15 minutes before the ceremony start time, to ensure all graduates are seated in time to enjoy the program. Please arrive early. 

Outside the stadium, graduates will be provided Graduate Recognition Stages throughout the parking lot. These microstages offer a unique opportunity for graduates to hear their name announced and to see their customized graduate slide displayed along with their guests. These stages will utilize the MarchingOrder professional name recording and graduate slides.

If you have applied to graduate for Fall 2020, Winter 2021, Spring 2021, Summer 2021 or Fall 2021 before March 1st, 2021, you will be eligible to participate in the 2021 ceremonies and your name will be listed in the program.

The 2020 Graduate Recognition Programs have been published and are available under the College Recognition section on the Commencement homepage.

All graduates attending the ceremony must provide information to create their pre-recorded name and custom grad slide via MarchingOrder. Name pronunciation information must be provided by April 16, 2021. Grad slides must be completed by May 7, 2021. Graduates will be able to utilize the Graduate Recognition Stages throughout the parking lot to have their name read and graduate slide displayed for a photo opportunity. 

Those who plan to attend should stay informed about and comply with the California Department of Public Health’s most recent travel advisory. Spectators are limited to in-state participants only per the California Delartment of Public Health Outdoor Stadium Live Performance Guidelines  

The situation with the pandemic is very fluid. If Orange County moves back into the Purple tier (the most restrictive tier), the State and County guidelines prohibit gatherings of any size. If the county regresses to the Purple tier, the in-person ceremonies will be postponed to a future date when it is safe for everyone to gather. In their place, the University will host a virtual ceremony, along with all of the virtual school celebrations.

Operational changes will be in place to help ensure the overall health and safety of guests, players and staff.

Face Mask Policy

• All guests are required to wear face coverings or masks at all times, except when actively eating or drinking in their ticketed seats. Consuming food and beverage on the concourse or other common areas is prohibited. Masks must completely cover the wearer's nose and mouth. This requirement does not apply to children under the age of two (2).

Physical & Social Distance

• Social distance guidelines will be enforced throughout Angel Stadium. Signage, floor markers and other resources will remind guests to remain physically distanced a minimum of six (6) feet.

Bag Policy

• In an effort to enhance public safety, Angel Stadium prohibits all large bags, backpacks, and other carriers from being brought into the stadium with the following exceptions (in each case, after proper inspection):
  • Purses or bags that are 4.5" x 6.5" with a single zipper closure/flap (approximately the size of an adult hand) or smaller
  • Clear bags no larger than 12.75" x 6.5" x 12.75"
  • Medically necessary items, including diaper bags
  • Other than the above-noted exceptions, all other bags must be returned to the patron's vehicle.
• Guests must be seated in their ticketed locations throughout the duration of the event.
• Relocating to other sections and congregating is not permitted.
• The consumption of food and beverage in the ballpark will only be permitted at your assigned seat.
• Tailgating is not permitted at this time.
• Due to safety protocols, Ticket Window sales and Will Call are unavailable.
• All stadium transactions will be cashless. Patrons with cash, can purchase gift cards at the Advanced Ticket Windows inside of Angel Stadium near the Home Plate Gate.
• Mobile-only entry. This paperless practice will enhance guest safety, ticket security, and make it easier for fans to manage their tickets.

To report a security issue or request assistance from our security team call 714-940-2313 or text HALO to 69050 via text message. More information is available here.

Yes. All in-person activities will be broadcast online, live, and on-demand for future viewing. The link will be available on the commencement website. Please note that the individual virtual school celebrations for the Class of 2020 were hosted in May 2020.

Please ask the college coordinators about specific college activities, or visit the commencement website and go to your college’s page for details.

All cultural graduation celebrations, hosted by the Division of Student Affairs, will be virtual this year. More information can be found on the Division of Student Affairs website.

New this year! Cap and gown sets will not be available as rentals so if you purchased yours through the Bookstore, they are yours to keep.

Diplomas are not distributed at Commencement. The diplomas themselves are issued by the University after verification has been made that all degree requirements have been completed and after the diploma document is specially inscribed for the graduate.

Your diploma will not automatically be mailed to you. The Office of Enrollment

Services (562.985.5471) will send an e-mail when your diploma is available (approximately 4-8 weeks after your degree has been granted).

Diploma frames are available through the University Bookstore, you may call them at 562.985.7711.

GradImages will be stationed at each of the Graduate Recognition Stages taking photos of graduates at this year’s in-person ceremonies. Electronic delivery of a photo proof may take about 4 days. Another way to look up a grad proof is to visit https://www.gradimages.com/Home/Search, type in the graduate’s last name, then California State University Long Beach, and select 2021. Please direct questions to the GradImages Customer Service Department at (800) 261-2576, online at www.gradimages.com, or email ecc.giservice@gradimages.net.

A PDF of the commencement booklet can be downloaded for free from the commencement web site. A printed copy of the program can be purchased for $5 and will be mailed to the purchaser. Visit the commencement web site to order.

Each college is responsible for the logistical coordination of its own ceremony. For information regarding your college's ceremony, please contact the appropriate coordinator.