When are commencement ceremonies held for the Business School?

The Pepperdine Graziadio Business School hosts one commencement ceremony each academic year, in April, coinciding with the end of the Spring trimester. Students graduating in the Fall, or on track to complete their programs in Spring, and Summer of the current academic year will receive initial details in February.

When will I receive details about the ceremony? 

Potential graduates will receive the first communication regarding the ceremony approximately (8) eight weeks prior to the ceremony.  It will outline next steps on confirming your participation and will be distributed to your Pepperdine email address.

Is the commencement ceremony ticketed?

Tickets are required for all guests attending the commencement ceremony. To efficiently welcome guests onto our Malibu campus, each guest must possess and display their individual ticket to attend the ceremony. 

Student Allotments: Eight (8) tickets will be will be emailed to graduates to disseminate to their guests. 
Waitlist: Students who require extra seating may join a waitlist to request additional tickets.

In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony venue will change. Please note that indoor seating is limited; if the venue moves, guest ticketing will be adjusted based on the capacity of the new location.

Will the ceremony be held indoors or outdoors?

The commencement ceremony will be held outdoors in Pepperdine Malibu Campus, Alumni Park, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90263. Sunscreen is recommended.  Limited sun-sensitive tents are located near the rear of guest seating and are a first-come, first-served area.  

I cannot participate in my designated commencement ceremony, can I participate in another ceremony?

Please contact your program advisor. If eligible you will be provided with the link to the “Graduate’s Walker Request Form.”

How long will the ceremony last?

The graduation ceremony will begin promptly at its indicated start time and will last approximately (2) two hours.

Will the ceremony be Live Streamed?

Yes, the commencement ceremony will be live streamed. You can gain access to the upcoming and previous ceremonies on the commencement website.

Will there be accessible parking and shuttles?

Free on-campus parking is available and Public Safety Officers will direct traffic on the day of commencement. Shuttles will be in service, available at any marked campus shuttle stop.

Special parking arrangements have been made for guests with special accessibility needs at convenient locations, and guests with accessibility needs can be directed to these locations by Public Safety Officers. Golf carts will be available to assist guests to the ceremony site.

Carpooling is recommended due to possible traffic delays. For more information, contact the Department of Public Safety at the information booths or call 310.506.4700.

Looking for Your Diploma?

Your diploma will be mailed to you following graduation and may take up to eight weeks to arrive. If you have further questions, please contact the registrar’s office.

What happens if it rains?                                                                                           

In the event of rain, the ceremony will be moved to Firestone Fieldhouse. All graduates will take their seats before the ceremony begins. Due to limited indoor seating, separate rain plan tickets will be required for indoor admission. Each graduate will receive approximately three guest tickets for entrance to Firestone Fieldhouse. Graduates' additional guests are strongly encouraged to view the ceremony via livestream from the convenience and comfort of their preferred off-campus location.

Are pets allowed?

Consistent with University policies, pets are not allowed at commencement services except for guide, service, or signal dogs. Please email pgbs.commencement@pepperdine.edu to register your service animal ahead of the commencement ceremony.