The Graduate School Ph.D. Hooding Ceremony

Attention: Registration for the 2008 Ph.D Hooding Ceremony is now CLOSED.

The possibility of early closing, as mentioned on the Hooding Ceremony web-site, has occurred. We've had a very high volume of early registrants and have reached maximum seating capacity for the 2008 Ph.D Hooding Ceremony. The Graduate School is no longer accepting registrations.

Please contact us at grad1@usc.edu to inquire about cancellations.

Hooding Ceremony Overview

The Ph.D. Hooding Ceremony, sponsored by The USC Graduate School, is the only University-wide event exclusively for Ph.D. recipients. Those Ph.D. candidates who graduated in December 2007 or who will graduate in May or August 2008 are eligible to participate. During the ceremony, the student's dissertation committee chair will present the hood, a symbol of the Ph.D. degree, to the student. Participation in the ceremony is subject to the dissertation chair's approval.

The event will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2008 in Bovard Auditorium (and with outside viewing in Associates Park) from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. In order to participate in the ceremony, candidates must register online. Online registration can be found using this link from February 15, 2008 through April 11, 2008 at 5:00pm. (Pacific Time)

Only students who register online by Friday, April 11 will be able to take part in the Ph.D. Hooding Ceremony. Please note: early registration is recommended as registration may close prior to April 11 if maximum capacity in the auditorium is reached.

There will be NO registration after April 11 and NO registration on the day of the ceremony.

Click here for more information.

Guest Ticket Policy
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  • Complimentary guest tickets are required; seating is first come, first serve.
  • All guests must have a ticket, including USC staff and students, and children.
  • Candidates who register online by the deadline date will be eligible for a maximum of 5 guest tickets: a maximum of 3 tickets inside Bovard Auditorium and a maximum of 2 tickets outside in Associates Park (a large-screen viewing of the ceremony will play in the Park).
  • Guest tickets will be available for pick-up at the USC Ticket Office on April 25, 2008. A signature will be required.
  • Guest tickets must be picked up at the USC Ticket Office by May 7, 2008. There will be no Will-Call on the day of the ceremony.
  • The Graduate School will not hold or mail tickets.
  • Candidates may designate an individual to pick up the tickets. The Graduate School does NOT need to be notified.
  • All unclaimed tickets will be forfeited.
  • Lost tickets will not be replaced. Tickets cannot be duplicated.
  • Note: registration could close if maximum capacity is reached before April 11.
  • This event will likely be "sold out". Register online as early as possible.

University Commencement

The 125th Commencement Ceremony, where all undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees are conferred, will be held on Friday, May 16, 2008. Ph.D. candidates are accorded a special place of honor and precede the faculty into the ceremony. See the link above for line-up time and location. All Ph.D. candidates are strongly encouraged to participate in this ceremony.

Other Doctoral Ceremonies

The Graduate School hopes that all Ph.D. candidates will attend the prestigious Ph.D. Hooding Ceremony on Thursday, May 15 in Bovard Auditorium. This ceremony is not likely to conflict with other doctoral ceremonies planned at the university. Please check with your own school for ceremonies they might be hosting.

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