COMMENCEMENT 2026

The diploma name used by the Graduation Office is the name that will be used for Commencement for the following:

• Ticketing information
• Stage Pass
• Name display on the jumbo screen, livestream, and college virtual program
• Name announcement/recording during Commencement and the college virtual program

The diploma name is the primary (legal) name as it appears on the graduating candidate's GET account. To view the diploma name, please follow these steps:

1. Log in to your GET account.
2. Click on the Self Service option.
3. Under the Degree Progress/Graduation section, click on the View Graduation Status option.
4. Under the Student Information section, you will see your diploma name that will be used for Commencement.

An approved preferred first name may be used on a diploma if requested by the graduating candidate on their graduation application, otherwise, the primary (legal) name will be used. For the preferred first name change to be reflected for Commencement, requests must be made by April 10, 2026 to the Graduation Office.

For any changes or updates to your primary (legal) name on your diploma, including your middle and/or last name, to be reflected for Commencement, please submit a Biographical/Demographical Change Request Form to the Admissions and Record Center on the first floor of the Student Services Building by April 10, 2026.

Please note that during the Commencement ceremonies, last-minute name changes will not be accommodated. Name information need to be finalized in advance to assign unique barcodes to each student that will be used for name announcement and name display on the jumbo screen.

For Commencement, the Cal State LA email address, alternate email address, and the mailing address listed on the graduating candidate's GET account is the information that will be used for the following:

• Commencement registration and ticketing (only Cal State LA email address)
• Commencement notifications and reminders (Cal State LA email address and alternate email address)
• Commencement photography (Cal State LA email address, alternate email address, and mailing address)

In spring 2025, the Graduation Office will start to submit the names of the eligible graduating candidates to the Commencement Office for inclusion in the Commencement ceremonies. Graduating candidates must make any updates to their contact information in GET by April 10, 2026, to ensure receipt of Commencement-related notices.

Please make sure to check your Cal State LA email address regularly for Commencement emails related to ticketing, important deadlines, and ceremony details. If you do not see any notifications, please check your spam folder.

Graduates obtaining a bachelor's degree, who maintain an outstanding academic record while earning their degree, are accorded special recognition upon graduation, and are given golden yellow double honor cords to wear during Commencement.

The criteria listed below were established by the Office of the Registrar / Graduation Office. The Commencement Office only distributes the honor cords based on the honors awarded / honors projected by the Graduation Office. For additional information on baccalaureate honors, please visit the Office of the Registrar’s website > Apply for your Degree > Honors at Graduation.

BACCALAUREATE HONORS CRITERIA

To be eligible for honors, graduating bachelor's degree students must have completed a minimum of 45 units in residence at Cal State LA and have attained the appropriate standing (cumulative grade point average earned at Cal State LA) as described below:

• Summa Cum Laude: GPA equal to or greater than 3.9
• Magna Cum Laude: GPA equal to or greater than 3.75 but less than 3.9
• Cum Laude: GPA equal to or greater than 3.5 but less than 3.75

These honors are designated on the diploma and permanent academic record.

For Commencement, spring 2025 or summer 2025 graduating students must have obtained the GPA listed above for fall 2024 or winter 2025 term ( if you attended winter 2025) to be projected to receive baccalaureate honors. Projected honors are subject to change based on final grades at the end of the spring 2025 semester or summer 2025 session.

HONOR CORDS DISTRIBUTION

In mid-March 2026, information regarding the distribution of honor cords will go out to the following:

• Bachelor’s degree students who graduated in fall 2025 and winter 2026 and have attained the status of graduating with honors based on the criteria listed above.
   
• Bachelor’s degree students who are projected to graduate in spring 2026 or summer 2026 and attained the status of graduating with honors based on the criteria listed above from completed courses as of winter 2026.