FAQs for the Classes of 2020 and 2021
The Class of 2020 is scheduled to celebrate alongside the Class of 2021, May 18-21, 2021. More Commencement updates about scheduling, registration, and what to expect, will be available at the end of January.
Virtual content for the class of 2020 will remain available on the Commencement website, where we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates, including special congratulatory messages from President Jane Close Conoley and the college Deans.
For campus updates please visit, Reuniting the Beach.
When are the 2020 Commencement ceremonies scheduled to take place?
Each ceremony day is displayed below. All 2020 and 2021 graduates will have completely separate ceremonies. Exact times of the ceremony are dependent on the number of RSVPs which will be available after registration closes April 9, 2021. These dates are tentative.
College Ceremony Dates
Class of 2020
- College of the Arts | May 21
- College of Business | May 20
- College of Education | May 21
- College of Engineering | May 20
- College of Health & Human Services | May 18 & 19
- College of Liberal Arts | May 18 & 19
- College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics | May 21
Class of 2021
- College of the Arts | May 21
- College of Business | May 20
- College of Education | May 21
- College of Engineering | May 20
- College of Health & Human Services | May 18 & 19
- College of Liberal Arts | May 18 & 19
- College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics | May 21
Why are we not allowed to gather to celebrate Commencement?
CSULB’s current proposal has modified Commencement based on the LA County Public Heath vehicle-based parade guidlines pending approval from the Long Beach Department of Public Health.
Will plans to remain in the car change if health orders are adjusted this Spring?
No. Unfortunately an event with the size and magnitude of commencement requires months of planning and work with outside vendors. In order to allow students and their families appropriate time to make arrangements, the 2020 and 2021 commencement ceremonies have been planned in accordance with current state health guidelines. Which include distance and density restrictions which make it impossible for us to hold traditional ceremonies. If these guidelines were reduced in the Spring it would not allow ample time to plan with vendors to change ceremonies.
Am I eligible to graduate?
You must apply to graduate through MYCSULB Student Center to be eligible to graduate.
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.
Am I eligible to participate in the Commencement ceremonies?
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.
What does my 'Apply to Graduate' fee pay for and can it be refunded?
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 18-21, 2021.
What ceremony do I go to if I’m graduating in December?
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).
How do I get my name in the program?
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.
Will my name be announced during the ceremony?
All graduates attending the ceremony must provide information to create their pre-recorded name and custom grad slide. Name pronunciation information must be provided by April 9, 2021. Graduates will be able to upload a custom photo and quote to be displayed when they enter the telecast area. This process must be completed by May 1, 2021
What if I no longer check my csulb.edu email account?
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.
When it is time to register, your unique registration information will only be sent to your student email. More details on registration at the end of January.
How do I know if I am graduating with honors?
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 commencement coordinator.
How do I get my cap and gown?
Purchase your graduation regalia through the website, 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.
Do I need to return my cap and gown?
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.
Where can I take graduation photos?
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:
- Wednesday, January 13th – registration closed.
- Thursday, January 14th – registration closed.
- Monday, March 8th – register today
- Tuesday, March 9th – register today
- Wednesday, March 10th – register today
- Thursday, March 11th – register today
- Friday, March 12th – register today
For questions about graduation photo sittings or photo packages, please call 562-985-7711 or email fns-graduation@csulb.edu.
What should I do with my grad announcements?
For personalized graduation announcements, it is recommended to avoid any detailed ceremony information at this time or simply wait and order announcements later when new ceremony details are released.
More details on event dates will be available at the end of January.
How many tickets do I get and how do I pick them up?
Starting April 19, 2021 vehicle passes claim will be available through the MarchingOrder registration portal. After claiming their one pass, students will know the 30-minute window when they will proceed through the Commencement route. Graduates that do not arrive at the start of their 30-minute time-window may be denied entry. No extra vehicle passes will be given. Graduate must be in the vehicle for the vehicle to be permitted entry. There are a limited number of passes per time window and the time window will close once the capacity limit has been reached.
Tickets are digital and can also be printed out (recommended).
How do I get my diploma?
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.
Who can I call for more information?
Each college is responsible for the logistical coordination of its own ceremony. For information regarding your college's ceremony, please contact the appropriate coordinator.