Commencement FAQs

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 for Spring/Summer graduates and sent to your personal email for Fall graduates.

Is the commencement ceremony ticketed?

Tickets are required for all guests (ages 2+) attending the commencement ceremony.  Graduates are responsible for distributing tickets to your guests via the Tassel platform. To efficiently welcome guests onto our Malibu campus, each guest must possess and display their individual ticket to attend the ceremony. 

Student Allotments:  Up to eight (8) tickets will be added to the Tassel Hub for 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.  

Are pets allowed?

Animals at Pepperdine are subject to the requirements of the Animals on Campus policy found in Section 37 of the University Policy Manual.   Consistent with University policies, pets are not allowed at commencement services. Guide, service, and/or signal dogs may accompany the person in need.  To register your service animal ahead of the commencement ceremony, please complete this required Google Form.

How to Apply to be the National Anthem or Commencement Student Speaker?

Nomination Guidelines as follows:

• Deadline: Submit nominations via Google Form by March deadline.
• Eligibility: Nominations may be submitted by faculty, staff, and/or fellow graduating students.
• Anthem Performers: Nominees will be asked to provide a sample performance video for review.
• Selection Process: A selection committee will review all applications and decide on the best fit for the ceremony. Selected nominees will be contacted separately to provide additional details.
  
  

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

Please contact the Program Office. 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.

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 a limited number of 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.

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.