Free FedEx Home Delivery Shipping on orders over $50!See Details

COMMENCEMENT


2023 Commencement FAQ's

Commencement Information

  • +How do I check the status of my cap and gown rental order?

    Please visit herff.ly/status. You’ll need your provide your entire CPA order number, which looks like this: CPA11224-11100110 .

  • +I ordered StageClip, when will I receive it?

    You will receive your StageClip via e-mail within two weeks from your commencement ceremony date. If you have other questions regarding StageClip, please e-mail: Talk@stageclip.com

  • +I have general questions about cap and gown and what I should be ordering. Who should I contact?

    Please e-mail the grad team at please e-mail: gradproducts@usc.edu or call the USC Grad Shop at 213-740-7414.

  • +What Is Required in order to participate in the Commencement Ceremony?

    To participate in the May 2023 Commencement Ceremony, you will need to either RENT or PURCHASE a cap with tassel, gown, and hood*. More information is available HERE.


    *Hoods are only for master’s and doctoral graduates.

  • +What is a Grad Pack?

    Grad Packs are a convenient package of the most popular graduation items. Most Graduation Packages include USC custom gown/hood rental with a souvenir cap & USC tassel, announcements, a 2023 keychain tassel, and a diploma frame. Free shipping on diploma frames and announcements is available through April 9 when you order a Graduation Package that includes a diploma frame.


    All USC custom gown/hood rentals will ship to your home, with a shipping fee of $16.95. You can order your Grad Pack HERE.

  • +I want to rent my cap, gown, and hood*. What are my options?

    You have two options:

    Option 1: Order online for HomeShip. With this option, the rental will be shipped directly to your home. There is a $16.95 shipping fee for HomeShip orders. The deadline for this option is April 9. Rentals take 10-14 days to process and an additional 5-7 days for delivery. In some cases, the process may be faster, but these timelines represent full capacity. Orders placed by April 9 will be delivered by May 8.


    *Note: This is the only option available to pre-order a cap and gown rental, now through April 9. The other rental opportunity is during in-person distribution starting May 8.


    Option: 2 In-Person Distribution. Starting May 8, customers can come to USC Bookstore to rent their cap, gown, and hood. There is no shipping fee for this option. For in-person distribution you come to USC Bookstore, complete an order form, pay for the rental, and receive your regalia.


    Pre-ordering or reservations for in-person distribution pick-ups are not available.

    More information about regalia rentals can be foundHERE


    Note: Doctoral rentals include a red cap with a gold USC Signet Tassel. If you wish to purchase a tam, you can do so HERE.

  • +I Am Graduating With a Double Major. How Do I Select the Proper Regalia?

    For Undergraduate students graduating with a double major, the cap and gown is the same for all programs.


    For Graduate students graduating with a dual degree, the same cap and gown can be used for both program ceremonies, but the proper hood color must be worn for each separate program ceremony.


    If both of your programs require the same color hood you only need one. If your programs require different color hoods, you will be required to rent or purchase both hood colors


    The hood color chart can be found HERE


    ●If you are renting your regalia and require two different hood colors, you have two options to complete your rental.

    ○ OPTION 1: HomeShip. You can place your initial rental online, choosing only one of your program hood colors and the rental will be shipped to your home. To rent the second hood color, you will need to come in-person during in-person distribution to rent your second program’s hood.

    ○ OPTION 2: In-Person Distribution. Starting May 8, you can come to USC Bookstore to rent your cap, gown, and hood(s) in person. There is no shipping fee for this option. For in-person distribution, you come to USC Bookstore, complete an order form, pay for the rental and receive your rental regalia. Pre-ordering or reservations for in-person distribution pick-ups are not available.

    ●If you are Purchasing your regalia, you can add the two hoods that you need to your cart while shopping online. If both programs require the same hood color, you only need to purchase one.

  • +Is In-Person Distribution First-Come First-Serve? Do I Need to Reserve/Pre-Order My Regalia In Advance?

    There will be plenty of regalia available for in-person distribution, you do not have to worry about USC Bookstore running out of regalia. Reservations and pre-orders for rental regalia are not available. You will only need to show up in-person to complete your rental.

  • +If I Rent My Cap, Gown, and Hood* Online Can I Pick It Up at USC Bookstore?

    Online orders for regalia will be shipped directly to your home with the required $16.95 shipping fee. There is no in-store pick-up option for online rentals. More information about rentals is available HERE


    *Hoods are only for master’s and doctoral graduates.

  • +What Do I Do If I Missed the April 9 Deadline to Rent a Cap & Gown?

    USC Bookstore will have in-person distribution of caps, gowns & hoods* beginning May 8. For more information on in-person distribution, please visit our website HERE


    *Hoods are only for master’s and doctoral graduates.

  • +Do I Get to Keep My Cap, Gown, and Hood* If I’m Renting My Regalia?

    To reduce our carbon footprint, we use rental gowns and hoods that must be returned following your ceremony. You can keep your cap and tassel as a souvenir. More information about renting regalia is available HERE


    *Hoods are only for master’s and doctoral graduates.

  • +Do I Need to Know My Cap Size If I’m Renting My Regalia?

    No, you do not need to know your cap or hat size. All rentals will come with a SureFit Cap, which is one size fits all. If you need a larger size cap, please contact Wesley Mitchell through email wdmitche@usc.edu..

  • +Do I Need to Purchase a Tassel If I’m Renting My Regalia?

    No, you do not need to purchase a tassel. All regalia rentals of caps, gowns, and hoods* come with the standard USC signet tassel. You can find more information about rentals HERE.


    *Hoods are only for master’s and doctoral graduates.

  • +Can I Purchase a Cap, Gown, and Hood* Instead of Renting?

    If you prefer to purchase your regalia instead of renting, CLICK HERE. Please allow 6-8 weeks for manufacturing and an additional 1-4 business days for shipping. Be sure to choose the proper expediting options to ensure your purchased regalia arrives in time for your ceremony.


    *Hoods are only for master’s and doctoral graduates.

  • +When Purchasing My Cap and Gown, There’s an Option for “Initials in Gown”. Where Will the Initials Be Placed?

    The initials will be on the back of the gown, on the tag. This is to help identify the owner of the gown in case there are multiple gowns hanging together. There is no extra cost to add your initials to the gown and we recommend adding them for this reason.

  • +Can I Purchase My Cap and Gown After Commencement Has Passed?

    Yes, graduation regalia can be purchased year-round. You can find more information about purchasing regalia HERE

  • +Can I Purchase Only My Hood?

    Yes, master’s and doctoral graduates can purchase hoods as individual items. Please allow 6-8 weeks for manufacturing and an additional 1-4 business days for it to ship. Be sure to choose the proper expediting options to ensure your purchased regalia arrives in time for your ceremony.

    To place your order please click HERE.

  • +How Do I Know If My Hood Is the Correct Color?

    Please view the USC hood color chart HERE

  • +How Do I Purchase a Doctoral Tam?

    If you’re renting doctoral regalia, but wish to purchase a tam, you can do so on our website. We have sizes 6 7/8 to 8. Shipping is currently free. If you wish to purchase a doctoral tam, please click HERE.


    If your tam size isn’t available through our website, you can order a doctoral tam directly from Herff Jones HERE.

  • +When Will I Receive My Order?

    HomeShip Rental Orders will be shipped out within 7-10 business days of your order placement. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Orders will be delivered by May 8.

    Regalia Purchases will ship in 6-8 weeks unless you choose expedited manufacturing or shipping when placing your order.

    Diploma Frame will ship in 4-5 weeks.

    Announcement Orders will take 7-10 days for manufacturing and ship in 3-5 business days (excluding Sunday) unless the expedited option is selected.

  • +Can I just purchase a Diploma Frame?

    Yes, USC Bookstore sells diploma frames year-round, both in-store and on our website HERE.

  • +How Do I Know The Size Of My Diploma?

    The standard size for most diplomas is 8.5” x 11”, except for these four degrees: Dental – DDS, Pharmacy, MD and Juris Doctorate – JD. Diplomas for these four degrees are 11” x 14”. You can purchase a diploma frame HERE.

  • +Are Sashes Required?

    Sashes are optional and cannot be rented, only purchased. Many students choose to purchase a customized sash to commemorate their collegiate honors and accomplishments.

  • +How do I order a sash?

    There are three ways to order a sash.

    Option 1: Come to USC Bookstore and purchase a standard non-customized sash. These standard sashes cost $49.99.

    Option 2: Order a standard non-customized sash HERE and have it shipped to your home. We offer free FedEx Home Delivery.

    Option 3: Order a fully customized sash HERE.The starting price for customized sashes is $75. Customized sashes take up to 6 weeks to be delivered. The deadline to order a customized sash to receive it by USC commencement is March 23. Customized sashes can be ordered year-round. Customized sashes ship directly to your home from Pride Sash.

    NOTE:If you have purchased a standard non-customized sash and would like to have it customized, you have the option of personalizing your sash at the USC Custom Shop located on USC Bookstore’s 3rd level. For more information, please visit USC Custom Shop in-person.

  • +If I Am Participating in May 2023 Commencement, But My Degree Was Conferred in December 2022. What Year Do I Put On My Customized Sash?

    If you graduated in a previous year or are graduating in a later year but want to join friends in photos for this year, you can customize a sash with the year of your choosing. More information is available HERE.

  • +I Am Trying to Order a Cap, Gown and Hood*, But I Can Only Enter the "All Majors" Option Under the Area of Study When Ordering My Cap, Gown and Hood*. Where Can I Enter the Correct Information to Ensure I Order the Right Cap, Gown and Hood*?

    *Hoods are only for master’s and doctoral graduates.


    After choosing your school, your graduation month and year will appear, then you will choose your degree type (Bachelor, Master’s, Doctorate). When filling in the Cap & Gown Student Information “Area of Study,” you will see either the option “All Majors” or an option to choose your specific major. If you receive the option “All Majors,” do not worry. That simply means that within your school, every master’s and doctoral Student receives the same velvet hood color.

  • +When Will I Receive My Honor Cord?

    Honor Cords are managed by each school’s department and are not available until late April. Each school will distribute more information regarding Honor Cords to their respective students. Honor Cords are for bachelor’s graduates only.

  • +I Am Graduating with Both My Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees As Part Of A PDP (Progressive Degree Program). What Regalia Do I Order If I Want to Attend Both the Bachelor’s and Master’s Ceremonies?

    For those graduating as part of a PDP program, we recommend ordering master’s regalia. If you plan to attend both ceremonies, you can walk in the bachelor’s ceremony with the master’s cap and gown, then add your program’s hood for the master’s ceremony.